Painting Tie Dye Technique
Learn how to paint tie dye for a new twist on an old classic.
Use tie-dye to paint shapes onto shirts or other fabrics. Paint flowers on a plain white tee. This step-by-step photo tutorial from I Love to Create makes the painting tie-dye technique easy.
Before beginning any tie-dye technique or project, read the instructions for the Tulip One-Step Fashion Dye or Tulip Permanent Fabric Dye. Refer back to them for standard steps.
Find project instructions for the Painted Flower Tie-Dye Shirt here.
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Time to CompleteWeekend project
Main MaterialFabric
Primary TechniquePainting
Project TypeLearn a Technique
Instructions
Create Pattern
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Before beginning, read the Tie-Dye how-to instructions and refer back to them for standard steps.
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Prewash fabric to remove sizing. Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets.
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Cover work surface with a plastic tablecloth.
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Using black felt pen, freehand flower pattern on scratch paper, flipping over for a reverse pattern for one flower.
Pour Dye on Plate
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Place shirt on work surface and smooth flat. Cover pattern with plastic wrap, taping excess to back. Insert pattern into shirt and position in place. Pattern will show through shirt.
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Wearing gloves from kit, fill each dye bottle with water. Shake until thoroughly mixed.
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Squeeze a small amount of Fuchsia and Yellow Dye on foam plate.
Apply Dye to Shirt
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Wet and dry brush with paper towel. Dip brush in Dye then press onto shirt design. Dye will spread on fibers. Paint dye to about ¼” from edge and let spread to line. If more dye is needed, add paint at center again and let spread. Clean brush and plate.
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Mix a small amount of Yellow Dye with Fuchsia to create an orange color. Fill in petals of lower flower with this mixture. Clean brush and plate.
Finish Painting Design
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Add Yellow centers to each flower then Lime stems and leaves.
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Cover fabric with plastic wrap or garbage bag. Let set 4 to 6 hours. Fill washer to large load settingwith hottest water suitable for fabric and a small amount of non-bleach laundry detergent. Wash and dry separately.