How to tie-dye any fabric, plus 6 fun patterns to try

• Tie-dye involves folding or crumpling fabric with string or rubber bands to create patterns with dyes.
• Tie-dying gets messy, so make sure to wear gloves and use a plastic drop cloth.
• There are endless ways to experiment with colors, patterns, and fabrics when tie-dying.

If you're looking for a way to bring new life to clothes and other textiles, tie-dye is an easy and fun, all-ages activity.

Tie-dye is a form of resist-dyeing, where "resists"- in this case, rubber bands or string - prevent the fabric from being dyed all over. Tie-dye traditions date back to the 6th century and can be found in many cultures around the world. For some inspiration, check out Japanese shibori, Indian Bandhani, and Nigerian Adire.

"I always tell my friends who come over to do tie-dye, just have fun with it," says Ashley Meier of Golden Terra Co., an LA-based shop specializing in custom tie-dye. "There's no wrong way to do it. At the end of the day, it is a form of art."

Because there are so many variables to play around with, like folding patterns, colors, and styles, tie-dye is an exciting way to make unique creations that are easy and ready to wear in less than a day.

What you need

• Fabric or clothing item
• Plastic squeeze bottles with tips (about 2 oz.)
• Dye (powder or liquid)
• Rubber bands
• Gloves
• Plastic drop-cloth or garbage bags
• Wire rack (optional)
• Resealable gallon storage bags
• Water
• A sink or bucket

How to tie-dye

1. Prep your supplies and workspace. Cover any surfaces that need protection with plastic drop-cloths or garbage bags. If you have a tie-dye kit, prepare the dyes according to the instructions. Place a wire rack over a plastic drop cloth. The rack prevents dye pooling under your item, and the drop cloth prevents unwanted stains.
2. Wash your item: Wash your item with soap and hot water (or in a washing machine with no fabric softener) to remove chemicals that prevent dye from adhering to fibers. Leave the item damp, which, Meier says "helps the colors bleed out better."
3. Choose and fold your pattern, if you're using one. Decide on your pattern and the colors you'd like to use before beginning your dye session to ensure that you have all the materials you need. Follow the folding instructions for your pattern. "Don't rush here," Meier advises. "Take your time getting the creases nice and sharp. It can really affect the outcome."
4. Bind your pattern. Tie rubber bands around your item. Patterns bound tightly will take more dye to penetrate deeply, while patterns bound loosely have more color blending.
5. Dye your item. Put your gloves on then squeeze the dye directly onto the fabric. You can play around here with how much dye you apply and how many colors you use. Flip your item over and continue applying dye, so that the same color continues over the edges and back. "Don't get caught without gloves. It gets messy," Meier warns.
6. Let the dye set. Put your item, still bound, in a sealed gallon bag. Keeping your item damp allows the dye to fully penetrate all the fabric fibers. Wait for 6 to 8 hours, or according to your dye's instructions.
7. Rinse and wash the item. Carefully cut off the rubber bands and rinse your item with cold water until the water runs clear. Then, wash and dry according to your dye kit. If washing indoors, take care to quickly clean up any dye spots in your sink or tub to avoid permanent staining. Once it's dry, your new tie-dye creation is ready to wear or use.

Tie-dye patterns

Spiral

Pinch the center of a shirt, and twirl the pinched fabric until all of the fabric becomes a semi-tight pinwheel (it should look like a puck). Place rubber bands across the item, making slices, like a pizza. Dye each wedge, continuing the color on the back. You can make each wedge a different color, make every two wedges the same color, or use the same color for the entire item.

Crumple

Loosely crumple your item into a puck, then loosely secure it with rubber bands. Apply your dye(s) freely on the front and back. Be aware that colors will blend when dying with multiple colors: you can test your dye combination on a piece of scrap fabric to ensure you like their mixed color.

Stripes

Fold your item with an accordion-fold, folding over and under. If you want horizontal stripes, gather fabric starting from one side. For vertical stripes, fold from the bottom or top. You'll have a long block. Tie rubber bands along the length of the block. The farther apart your binds, the larger your stripes will be. Dye each section in alternating colors to create stripes.

Accordion

Accordion-fold your item horizontally, until you've formed a long strip. Then, loosely repeat the folding pattern vertically, until your item forms a compact rectangular brick. Bind the brick with horizontal and vertical rubber bands, like a tic-tac-toe grid.

Ice dye

Crumple your item, secure it with rubber bands, and place it on a wire rack. Cover your project with ice cubes, then sprinkle unmixed dye powder directly onto the ice. As the ice melts, it activates the dye and creates a colorful watercolor effect.

How to reverse dye

Reverse tie-dye your shirt by lifting pigment from darker colored fabric using bleach instead of dye. This can be done in any of the patterns above.

Using a 50-50 mixture of bleach and water, cut the 6-8 hour wait time down to a maximum of 30 minutes. But be sure to keep an eye on it: if left on too long, bleach can eat away at your fabric.

For a colorful effect, leave your item bound during the rinse and tie-dye the bleached areas. "I definitely think the reverse tie-dye is beginner-friendly," says Meier.

What else can you tie-dye?

• Dish towels: Tie-dying plain dish towels is an easy way to give your kitchen a colorful update and a fun way to test out new tie-dye techniques. Plus, they make a great housewarming gift.
• Socks: Cotton socks are a budget-friendly way to experiment with different colors, patterns, and dye techniques. Add a pop of color to your outfit with on-trend tie-dye statement socks.
• Baby clothes: Whether you're hosting a baby shower, sending a gift to new parents, or preparing for your own newborn, tie-dyeing baby clothes is a memorable activity that's great for groups and kids. Plus, it's a clever trick for hiding stains.
• Pillows & linens: Dyeing your decor with a single color is a fun, tasteful way to elevate your space on a budget. Try dyeing curtains, throw pillows, or sheets.
• Thrift store finds: If you're making a day of tie-dyeing, dig through the thrift store. T-shirts (try one with a screen-printed design), button-downs, and sundresses make great canvases, and they don't have to just be black or white. Reverse tie-dye darker fabrics and experiment with colors on lighter colored fabrics. Test on an inconspicuous spot to see how your colors will appear. Just make sure your finds are primarily made from natural fibers, like cotton, rayon, and silk.

Insider's takeaway

Tie-dye is a fun and simple project that's great to try solo, at your next date night, or for a memorable kid's party. With easy-to-use kits available at most craft stores, setting up a tie-dye station takes less than thirty minutes. Be careful, as tie-dyeing can get messy. Be sure to wear gloves, work outside, and protect your workspace. No two projects will come out the same when tie-dying, so feel empowered to experiment and try unique patterns - there's no wrong way to tie-dye.

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