Once popular in the ’60s by flower children, also known as hippies, tie dye t-shirts have become a staple of not only the counter-culture contingent, but also occasionally finds its way back into mainstream comfortable fashion. 
Tie dye t-shirts are no longer restricted to those with the munchies and can be purchased for varying prices from the relatively inexpensive to the “Are you kidding me with this price” variety. Why spend your hard earned money on a tie dye from a store when you can go the all natural route and make them yourself? Your hippie ancestors would be proud and you save a few bucks in the process.
Step 1: Buy your stuff. You need an all white cotton t-shirt and some type of clothing dye of various colors. Dyes run the gambit on expense from the cheap powders to the more exotic designer dyes. For a t-shirt, any ink will do. You will also need several rubber bands or strong twine for tying.
Step 2: Mess preparation. Cover a table in several layers of newspapers and make sure you’re not wearing anything that you care about. You can be as careful as possible, but some dye will spill on you and the table. You can wear a painter’s coveralls that way you can keep your clothes safe.
Step 3: The Art of the Tie. Here is the crucial step in tie dyeing a t-shirt. You can tie in whatever way you want. Every tie will create a different pattern and no tie dye shirt is exactly the same. Every piece is unique. You can create a myriad of shapes and colors with a few cleverly placed rubber bands.
Step 4: Dye it. Place the tied shirt into the dye mixture and let soak for about twenty minutes. Rinse the shirt out until the water runs clear and untie the shirt. If you want, you can then place the untied shirt in a different color dye to color the whole shirt or make a different tie and try a new dye. The sky’s the limit when it comes to creativity.
Step 5: Let it dry. Now that the shirt is colored, let it dry in the sun and then it will be ready to wear to your favorite fondue party, love in or school function.
The tie dye shirt will never go out of style and it’s a fun craft to do as a whole family. Kids love it and everyone gets some cool looking clothes out of it.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/lalouque/3453178556
Related posts:
- Rock a Tuxedo T-shirt – It’s Both Fancy and Comfy
- How To Wear Shirt Dresses
- Pretty Deal: Square Neck T-Shirt Dress