How to Tie Dye at Home

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that tie-dye has taken the fashion world by storm. The design has been featured in everything from bathing suits to sweatpants to runway couture. I love tie-dye because it’s fun, expressive, and colorful, but most importantly, it can be DIY-ed! It is the perfect thing to do to keep yourself busy during the quaratine. You can also tie dye yourself some sweats or a hoodie for a cute and comfy look while staying home. So, I’ve written out the directions for how to make an awesome tie-dyed item. This routine worked really well for me, and I know it works and is reliable. Also, you can click on each of the items needed (that are purchasable) to shop them conveniently in the list down below. 

(PS: I tie-dyed the shirt I’m wearing in the picture for this post, and it took no more than 10 minutes!)

What you’ll need:

  1. Put your dye in a squirt bottle if not already in one, and add water. Shake well!
  2. Next, lay out your item that you will be tie dying onto your surface. Make sure this something that you don’t mind getting stained. Scrunch and gather the material together starting by pinching the middle of the item and moving the material in a spiral until bunched. This does not have to be perfect!
  3. Once the material of your item is bunched up (may need to be bunched up in a few areas like the sleeves of a shirt or pant legs depending on the item and its size), squirt the dye in an abstract pattern. Do so on the other side as well. Don’t soak the item in dye, and keep the amount of dye in each as area as consistent as possible for a more professional look. I recommend dying the item with 2-3 colors max, or else it will turn out looking brown. Try to visualize colors that you like together and use those. 
  4. Leave the item to dry for 6-8 hours while still scrunched up. 
  5. Wash the item by itself in really cold water and dry.

That’s it! Only 5 steps. Enjoy your new trendy and homemade closet staple!