Sewing & Textiles

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Tie Dye Tips & Techniques

Our Tips & Techniques guide gives you a simple step by step run down of how to Tie Dye using our CleverPatch™ Tie Dye Paints - and even describes some folding techniques!

Please note: You will also need protective gloves and plastic resealable bags to complete this activity.
  • Step 1Wet the t-shirt and mildly hand strain out any excess liquid. This enables you to get the most out of your dye.
  • Step 2Wrap, roll up or tie your t-shirt, in your desired method. There are a few different methods that we tried out below.
  • Method 1 is to bunch the t-shirt vertically and tie the rubber bands around the middle section of the t-shirt. This would result in a shirt similar to our yellow, orange and red example.
  • Method 2 is to bunch the t-shirt horizontally and tie the rubber bands along the shirt, holding the pattern together. This would result in a shirt similar to our pink, purple and blue example.
  • Method 3 is to pull sections of the t-shirt out into a point and tie the rubber bands along this point. This would result in a shirt similar to our green shirt. The more points you tie, the more circles you can create.
  • Step 6Before you begin, put on gloves to protect your hands from dye. Carefully open the bottle lid.
  • Step 7Apply the dye to the shirt in the colours or patterns of your choice. Place the shirt into a tub and pour the dye over the shirt.
  • You may also wish to pour the dye into small tubs and dip the shirt into the dye. The number of projects you can complete with a bottle of dye depends on the size of the project and how heavily saturated you intend the project to be.
  • Step 9After you have applied the dye, place each shirt into a plastic bag. Let it sit for a few hours in a cool, damp place (such as a refrigerator). This allows the dye to reach its full potential and soak into the shirt. The longer you allow the fabric to sit in the dye, the brighter your results will be.
  • Step 10Allow the project to air dry completely before untying the rubber bands.
  • Step 11Place the shirt in a dryer for 5-10 minutes on a hot setting. Alternatively, run the iron over the shirt for 5-10 minutes. This enables the colours to fully bind to the fabric.
  • Step 12When washing it is recommended that the project be washed 3-4 times separately before washing with other laundry.

Materials used in this activity

Cotton T-Shirt - Size 12
Optional
Product Code: 10107
EACH $10.99 (inc GST) $9.99 (ex GST)
25 or more $8.79 (inc GST) $7.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Cotton T-Shirt - Size 16
Optional
Product Code: 18734
EACH $10.99 (inc GST) $9.99 (ex GST)
25 or more $8.79 (inc GST) $7.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 18869
EACH $252.99 (inc GST) $229.99 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
CleverPatch Tie Dye Paint - 250ml - Set of 10 Colours
Optional
Product Code: 18870
EACH $98.89 (inc GST) $89.90 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 20161
EACH $73.69 (inc GST) $66.99 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value