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How to Make a Tie-Dye Swirl Design

Tie-dye T-shirts never seem to go out of style. A tie-dye shirt is a way to create an original piece of artwork that can be displayed on your body, or give an older, dingy T-shirt a makeover. Tie-dying can be as simple or difficult as you choose, making this craft great for both children and adults.

Things You'll Need

  • Tie-dye kit or RIT dyes
  • Rubber bands
  • T-shirt
  • Plastic wrap or baggy
  • Clothes pin
  • Gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash new T-shirts to remove the sizing and make sure older T-shirts are clean.

    • 2

      Pinch the center or intended focal point for the swirl with a clothes pin. Make sure the pinch is tight. For extra support, tie a small rubber band around the center pinch about a half-inch in.

    • 3

      Hold the clothes pin straight up and down and hold the T-shirt flat with your other hand. Begin to twist the clothes pin like a door handle, making sure to keep the shirt flat with your other hand.

    • 4

      Wrap at least three rubber bands to keep the roll intact once the whole shirt has been twisted. You might have some stray shirt peeking from behind the rubber bands; you can choose to leave these or pinch and twirl little mini swirls.

    • 5

      Follow the bottle directions for mixing the dyes and have all mixed dyes at hand. Put on your gloves. The roll should resemble a pie in that the rubber bands create little slices. Use a different color on each slice. It's OK if colors bleed together a little bit.

    • 6

      Wrap the shirt in plastic wrap or a plastic baggy to keep the dye moist. Do not remove the rubber bands. Let sit in room temperature overnight.

    • 7

      Cut the rubber bands and hang the shirt up to dry the next day. Wait another day and hand wash your shirt.

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