Dip Dye DIY
- Start with a band shirt (I'm using my Virgin Wolves tee, look them up they're rad)
- You'll need fabric dye- The package I bought was only $3! You can buy tie-dye kits, but the bottles aren't necessary
- The whole process takes about an hour. I used my kitchen sink, but you can also use a large bucket or mixing bowl
- The dye directions said to fill your container with steaming hot water and 4 tablespoons of salt. After the sink was filled I only put about 2 teaspoons of the dye in the water. I dipped the shirt up to a little below where I wanted to start seeing color to allow for the dye bleeding. I held the shirt at this position for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes I removed the shirt from the dye, added two more tablespoons of the dye powder, and placed the shirt back into the dye but held it about two inches above the last line. I held the shirt here for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes I removed the shirt from the dye, added two more tablespoons of the dye, and held the shirt 2 inches from the last line. You get the idea. But this time I left the shirt in the dye for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes I removed the shirt yet again, and added the rest of the dye powder. The instructions read to let the shirt sit 45 minutes in the dye for full color results. I rigged a system with a hanger to let the shirt sit 2 inches above the last dye line for the last 45 minutes. (I wasn't going to pretend that I was going to hold my shirt up for that long...)
- After 45 minutes or so I removed the shirt from the dye, drained the sink, and rinsed the shirt with cold water until the water ran clear. I let the shirt air dry here overnight, and washed it separately in cold water in the morning! (I also would recommend letting it air dry every time you wash it)
Ta-Da! Dip Dye ombre! If you're using a colored or black shirt, you can do this same procedure but use capfuls of liquid bleach instead to decolorize the shirt for another fun effect!
Now to make the shirt festival wearable...
I decided to fringe the bottom of the shirt, cut the sleeves and neckline, and add studs to the shoulders!
When fringing a shirt, predetermine the length you want the fringe to be and cut off the bottom hemline. This is where extremely sharp scissors help!
When adding studs needle nose pliers help a lot...
And it's finished! I plan to wear this with high waisted denim shorts and black cowboy boots for a southern rock/boho feel. Enjoy DIY-ing!
With love,
Kaitlyn
