Batik Tie Dye Technique

Add a batik pattern to a shirt or other fabric with this tie-dye tutorial from I Love to Create. The pattern uses household materials, such as a fork, to create the unique batik design. You can use this one-of-a-kind technique to make a variety of tie-die crafts, such as shirts, scarves, or leggings. These tie-dye projects make great gifts for your kids, your friends, or yourself. 

Before beginning this project, read the instructions for the Tulip One-Step Fashion Dye or Tulip Permanent Fabric Dye.  Refer back to them for standard steps.

1. Create batik design

Prewash shirt to remove sizing. Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets.

Cover work surface with a plastic tablecloth. Insert shirtboard or coated cardboard between shirt layers. 

Stamp or draw designs desired.  We used the tines of a fork and a spray bottle top to stamp the circles and a pencil eraser for the dots in the circles. The resist should penetrate the fibers so that it blocks the dye.  It can be thinned slightly with a few drops of water. 

Practice first on paper towels.  Let the resist dry thoroughly.

2. Mix dyes and begin to apply dye

Add warm water to fill the bottles of dye and shake to mix.  Dilute each dye to half-strength.  We used spray tops on our bottles.

We sprayed the back of the shirt first with Orange and Fuchsia.

3. Apply dye to the design

Wipe the excess dye off the plastic-covered work surface and turn the shirt over. 

Spray Fuchsia and Orange dye on the front of the shirt.

4. Continue to apply dye

Continue to apply dye until the shirt is completely covered.  Do not over saturate fabric.

Cover fabric with plastic. Let set 4 to 6 hours. The resist will gradually melt away.  Fill washer to large load setting with hottest water suitable for fabric and a small amount of non-bleach laundry detergent. Wash and dry separately.

For even more fun tie-dye projects, check out these 100+ Tie Dye Techniques and Patterns.