Tie dyeing has been a colorful crafting tradition since at least the 60s, making clothes and linens more colorful and eye-catching.Even with something as bulky as a hoodie, the tie dyeing process is very easy to do in the comfort of your own home.You can make your own designs on the cheap by gathering your supplies, setting up a workspace, and doing it yourself.
Step 1: A plastic tablecloth is placed over a large table to prevent spills.
The tie dyeing process can get very messy, so it's best to place a plastic tablecloth over a large table to reduce spills and prevent the dyes from staining your furniture.Attach it to the hoodie so it doesn't shift.You don't want to stain anything important in the home if you tie dye your hoodie in a garage or fold out table.
Step 2: To make the dye stick, mix dye with water in a bucket.
The dye has a tendency to fade over time, so mix 4 c (180 ml) of dye fixer per 1 US gal of water in a bucket.If you don't mind using chemicals, you can use soda ash.At crafting stores, you can purchase dye fixer.During the tie dye process, wear rubber gloves to prevent irritation.A hoodie takes up a lot of space, so use a large bucket or bowl instead of a small one to tie dye.If you see any solution in your eyes, wash it out with water.Call the poison control hotline if it starts to hurt.
Step 3: To get rid of oils and dirt, wash and wring out your white, cotton hoodie.
If you don't want to wait too long to wash your white hoodie, you can either put it in the dryer or wring it out by hand.This will let the hoodie absorb the most dye possible, and it will get rid of oils that can affect the tie dye design.As the patterns and dyes show through more clearly, a white cotton hoodie is the best choice.If you want to use a colored hoodie, but stay away from dark colors, consider how the hoodie's base color will mix with your dyes.
Step 4: For 5 to 10 minutes, soak the hoodie.
Place the hoodie in a mix of dye fixer and water and let it soak for around 5 to 10 minutes, or until it is completely saturated.Put the shirt on the plastic tablecloth.You can use the same solution for more things.
Step 5: Add dye to a 3 US gal bucket of warm water.
The water should be as hot as you would use for a baby's bath.Take about 5 to 10 grams of your powdered procion dye and mix it with a metal spoon.Prepare additional buckets of warm water and dye to keep the colors separate if you want to add multiple colors to the hoodie.To create stronger colors, add more dye powder.
Step 6: A single-color swirl can be created by twisting the center of the hoodie.
Place your hoodie flat on the plastic tablecloth and twist it in one direction until the hoodie is bunched together.To keep the swirl intact, tie 5 or 6 rubber bands around the outside of the hoodie.For 30 minutes to 1 hour, soak it in the dye solution bucket.The folds in the swirled hoodie won't soak up as much dye as the exposed areas, creating a white swirl at the center of the hoodie.
Step 7: To make a bullseye pattern, pinch the hoodie's center with rubber bands.
Raise the fabric by pinching the center of your hoodie and grabbing both the front and back at the same time.Keep applying rubber bands until the whole hoodie is wrapped in a cylindrical shape.For 30 minutes to 1 hour, soak the hoodie.Don't pull fabric through the rubber banded areas, instead pull the cylinder upwards to bring the rest of the hoodie with you, and apply rubber bands as you go.You will end up with a center circle with larger circles surrounding it.
Step 8: By folding accordion-style, you can create a multicolored diagonal stripe.
From the bottom corner of your hoodie, fold the other side over.Turn the hoodie around and fold it another 2 in.Continue flipping the hoodie and folding the corner over until it is just a small square, and attach rubber bands to hold it together.If you want to achieve dual-coloration, soak half of the rubber banded hoodie in one dye bucket for 30 minutes, then soak the other half in a different color.Your hoodie will come out with two diagonal halves of color with white, parallel lines spread out every 2 in.
Step 9: You can make a pattern by pinching the hoodie and using liquid dye.
Pinch the fabric of the hoodie, grabbing both the front and back fabric at the same time, and securing the pinched area with rubber bands.Continue doing this in different places until you are satisfied with the number of sunbursts.First, apply liquid procion dye to the unpinched parts of the hoodie, then squeeze a few drops on top of each rubber banded area.It's easy to use multiple colors.If you want to change the color of the fabric and the sunbursts, use a dye that goes into the pinched area.If you don't have liquid procion dye, you can use the dye bucket and it will do the job.It should be soaked for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 10: For up to 2 hours, wrap the hoodie in rubber bands.
After soaking the hoodie in dye, don't take off the rubber bands and let it sit on a plastic tablecloth or outside for 2 hours.It is easier to wash out excess dye later on without affecting the color, as this allows the dyes to deeply set into the fabric of the hoodie.If you want the colors to be even more saturated, leave the hoodie on.Wrap the hoodie in plastic as it sits to prevent spilling and stains as the dye sets and liquid drain.
Step 11: Take off the rubber bands and wash the hoodie.
If you want to keep the dye out of the hoodie, run it under the sink or bath.The cold water deepens the saturation of the dye that has taken hold.If the water is too hot, it can cause the dye to bleed, so it's a good idea to start with slightly warm water and gradually turn it down to ice cold.
Step 12: The hoodie should be washed in the washing machine.
After washing it, put the hoodie in the washing machine and use regular detergent.It may take several washes, but after it comes out free from bleeding dye, stick it in the dryer and enjoy your new tie dyed hoodie!If the dye isn't fully set, use an extra-powerful or specialty detergent.To get it clean and ready to wear, use regular, run-of-the-mill laundry soap.