- 1). Wash and dry your 100 percent cotton t-shirt before dying it. The dye will adhere to the fabric better when the sizing, or protective fabric coating, is removed.
- 2). Cover the work surface with large plastic garbage bags for protection. Cut holes for your head and arms in another bag and pull it on over your head to keep your clothing clean. Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands from the dye.
- 3). Pour each dye color into a separate squeeze bottle and mix it with the amount of water recommended on the packaging. Shake the bottles to dissolve the dye just before you are ready to start tie dying. Add more water if you want less vibrant colors.
- 4). Fold the t-shirt in an accordion fashion, as you would when making a paper fan. When finished, your shirt will have a tubular shape. Wrap five or six rubber bands over the fabric tube to hold the folds in place.
- 5). Apply dye to the t-shirt with one of the bottles of dye. Work the bottle nozzle down between the folds of the shirt for a colorful ripple effect. Switch colors and add more dye randomly. Continue this process until you have the look and colors you want.
- 6). Flip the t-shirt over and apply dye, in the same manner, to the other side.
- 7). Place the shirt in a resealable plastic bag and set it aside for four to six hours. Rinse out the shirt in cool water and let it dry.
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