Introduction: Easy DIY Halloween Tie Dye Shirt
Hi guys! Thank you so much for trying my tie dye T-shirt craft. I hope you have as much fun making it as I did. This is going to be an easy, fun shirt for a 3-days-before-Halloween-and-I-don't-have-a-costume issue.😂So, when you think of tie dye, you probably think of vibrant and bright colors. But to be honest, this doesn't come out like that at all... There is color, but it's soft like that old vintage worn-in T-Shirt you just can't get rid of. It's a little faded like a melting sunset just before it disappears. I hope you have fun making this awesome shirt! 😁👌 Happy Haunting!
Step 1: Step 1: Get the Supplies!
Ok this step is easy. Here are the supplies you need to grab:
#1: A white T-shirt of any size. 100% Cotton works the best. (Michael's has them for $2.99)
#2: Two rubber bands or hair ties (preferably rubber bands) or as many as you want to make the rings of color.
#3: One Tie Dye kit with 36 colors (you can order online from Michaels or get one in-store.)
#3a: The colors you need for this shirt are lemon yellow, and poppy.
#4: One cookie baking sheet and cooling rack (it might sound weird, but you need them so you don't get dye all over the place.) If you don't have those a cardboard box will work, too. It can get MESSY!
#5: Disposable gloves (these are a MUST!) Unless you want orange and yellow hands.
#6: Roll of Plastic saran wrap.
#7: Paper towels to clean as you go.
Step 2: Step 2: Let's Start!
So first, you need to lay your shirt out on a flat surface like a table. Next, pinch the middle of the shirt with your thumb and index finger. Following along? Good! Next, pull the shirt up into the air and smooth it out to prevent wrinkles. Have your rubber bands within reach.
Step 3: Step 3: Rubber Band Time!
Great job! You survived step one and two. Next, get your rubber band or hair tie, and tie a really tight knot three inches down on the shirt. Make sure you look at the pictures because this is very important. Then, get your other rubber band and tie a knot 1 inch down, below the 3 inch mark. Once you do that, get your cookie sheet and cooling rack and go outside because this is gonna get messy!
Step 4: Step 4: the Fun, But Very Messy Part!
Yes! This was my favorite part of the whole tie dye process! Ok, make sure you put on your gloves because if you don't, you'll be VERY sorry. 😅 (I learned that the hard way) So, here comes the actual dyeing part. You first want to get the poppy color, and cover the tip with poppy orange. Not anything else. This will turn out to be your Jack 'o Lantern face. Then you are going to leave the 1 inch part white, because that will be the border separating the poppy and lemon. After that get your lemon yellow color and fill in the whole rest of your shirt randomly with yellow.
Step 5: Step 5: Fun But Messy Part 2
Ok, since the big part was all yellow, I ran out of the dye. But don't worry! If you run out, just sop up all the poppy leftovers from the bottom of the cookie tray. This'll give it a nice orange-ish yellow-ish color that looks great in the end, trust me.
Step 6: Step 6: Good Ol' Saran Wrap
Yay! The dyeing part is done. But keep your gloves on, because you can still get messy from this step. Grab your saran wrap and cover the heck out of your masterpiece-in-the-making. Make sure you cover the back too. For extra sealness, wrap it over and over again. (kind of in a circle-ish pattern) Once you think it is covered enough, let it sit for 72 hours. (3 days) I know, I know. No one likes to wait for a long time. But it gives you something to look forward to!
Step 7: Step 7: Finally, the Waiting Is Done!
Awesome! We are finally done waiting. I was getting impatient. Ok, so when you unwrap your shirt, make sure to have gloves on. Undo all of your rubber bands and wash out the dye in the sink in cold water. This could get messy, but hot water and soap will usually get out stains. Wash until you see practically clear water coming out of it. Yes, a lot of dye will come out, but don't worry. The shirt will look good. Once you do that, put it in the washer on quick wash or your washers gentle cycle on the cool temperature, with high spin, and a light soil level. DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER ON YOUR SHIRT ONLY DETERGENT. After that, put your shirt in the dryer on normal or hang it to dry.
Step 8: Sept 8: Puffy Paint Yo!
Ok, yes. I forgot to tell you to get puffy paint in the beginning. Please forgive me! I didn't mean to. Oh well. So first you are going to get white, green, orange, black, yellow, and purple puffy paint. Then, we start on the jack-o-lantern face. You can refer back to the first photo if you want. Just a basic face. Make sure to pay attention to the pictures! You use the color black for this step. (oh, and you need to do it in the big orange spot in the middle of the shirt) Then, get the green and do the stem with a little swirl for a vine. After you are done with that, you're free! You can do anything you want with the other colors. You can follow along with the candy corn, ghost, and candy wrapper that I did if you want, but feel free to design you own spooky creations! After you are done, wait for it to dry! Be prepared - It will take more than 24 hours for the puffy paint to fully dry. Agggg. More waiting.😭
Step 9: Woo Hoo! Your Done!
Yay! You did it! I knew you could. I hope you have a blast like I did. Thank you and please vote for meeeeee! You guys are great and thank you again.😁👌😊👕😃 Warning- Puffy paint is very addictive. Enjoy! Be creative! Paint whatever your heart desires! Wooooooooo Hooooooooooo!!!!!! Have a great Halloween!