PBN: How to Make Your Own Rainbow Tye Dye Dress

Nothing says “bright and vibrant” like a tye dye dress or t-shirt. Not only does this colorful garment add a pop of color to any wardrobe, the process of tye-dye is fun for all ages! If you’re never done DIY tye dye before, don’t worry, it’s way easier than you think it is. All you need are some simple supplies, an hour of active time, and a bit of creativity.

Rainbow Tye Dye Dress Instructions

Supplies:

●      White shirt or dress

●      Protective trash bags or tarps

●      Fabric-specific dye

●      Squirt bottles

●      Rubber bands

●      Gloves

●      1 gallon Ziploc bag

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to get started!

Step One: Know Your Fabric

You can’t purchase your fabric dye until you what sort of material you will be dyeing, so decide on the garment or garments you’ll be working with before purchasing supplies. While shopping for fabric dye, check the box to ensure it will properly color your new tye dye dress (i.e., cotton, polyester, blends).

Step Two: Prep Your Workspace

Fabric dye is what gives your tye dye dress its vibrant color, but while it dyes your fabric, it will also stain you and anything around you. This means you will want to either work outside (if the weather allows), or use tarps and trash bags to protect your work surface. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves when working with dye.

Step 3: Mix Your Dye

Before you soak and section off your dress, you’ll want to mix up your dye colors so you’re ready to go. Be sure to follow the package instructions for optimal end results and vibrant colors. Use a funnel to fill your squirt bottles, so you minimize splashing and mess.

Step Four: Soak & Tye Your Shirt or Dress

One your workstation is protected, soak your garment in hot water and then wring it out until damp. You have a choice in patterns, but for a classic “pie” tye dye look, find the center of your garment and slowly twist it until you have a circle. Then, you’ll use rubber bands to hold it together, crossing the center of the garment like slices of pie.

Step Five: Dye & Decorate

Now it’s time to have some fun! Squirt dye into each section of the pie (or whatever design you choose) until the garment is fully saturated with dye. Squirt a different color into each segment of the pie and work within the color wheel as much as possible, separating colors that may blend together poorly. Once you’ve saturated one side with dye, flip your tye dye dress over and do the other side with the same colors.

Step Six: Wait, Rinse, and Wear!

Now slip your garment into a gallon Ziploc bag and let it dye and rest for 24 hours. Once the time is up, rinse the shirt or dress thoroughly until the water running through it runs clear. This part can be messy and you’ll be amazed at how much dye rinses out; don’t worry your garment will still be vibrant and colorful!

Now it’s time to unroll your tye dye dress and see how your stunning pattern turned out! Wring out the water want to wash it (by itself) at least once before wearing.

Pro Tip: Don’t wash it with other garments for the first few washes to avoid color bleeding.

Did you DIY your own tye dye dress? What are your fave tips and tricks? Share them with us in the comments section below! And if you enjoyed that project, you’ll also love our tips for 3 simple, stunning DIY winter crafts, as well as our 5-step tea cup candle favor craft project!

###

Photo by Joshua Stitt on Unsplash