Tie Dye Patterns

Cool tie dye patterns aren't complicated. Different geometric tie dye shirt patterns are easy, even for a beginner.

Advanced tie dye patterns are fun, but tie dye shirts people love are simple.Spiral Tie Dye One Color

Tie dye patterns are defined by how you fold the fabric, where you apply rubber bands, and where you apply dye color.

  1. Fold the fabric to control where you want dye color to flow.
  2. Apply rubber bands where you don't want dye color to flow.
  3. Apply dye color where you want dye color flow to start.

Dye Color basics

To make great tie dye you need to know a little Color Theory and what happens when separate Tie Dye Colors are dyed together. A few basics.

  1. Dyes flow after applied to fabric
  2. Separate dye colors change color when they flow together
  3. White space (no dye) is okay.

Tie Dye Basics

Learn how to tie dye patterns by doing. Use new ideas to create your own signature look. Experiment. Mistakes are good. A few basics.

  1. Creasing the folds create Geometric tie dye patterns.
  2. Scrunching the folds create Organic tie dye patterns
  3. Tighter rubber bands create sharper tie dye patterns

Spiral Pattern

  1. Lay the fabric flat then pinch, pull, and twist the center of the fabric until all of the fabric is in a twist.
  2. Apply rubber bands to keep the fabric twisted together
  3. Apply dye color to each side of the rubber bands.

Sunburst Pattern

  1. Lay the fabric flat then pinch and pull where ever you want a sunburst.
  2. Apply rubber bands to keep the fabric together
  3. Apply dye color to each side of the rubber bands.

Bullseye Pattern

  1. Lay the fabric flat then pinch and pull the center of the fabric until all the fabric is hanging.
  2. Apply rubber bands where ever you want a ring in the bullseye.
  3. Apply dye color to each side of the rubber bands.

Striped Pattern

  1. Lay the fabric flat and fold it back and forth (pleat) until all the fabric is folded.
  2. Apply rubber bands to keep the fabric together
  3. Apply dye color to each side of the rubber bands.

Scrunched Pattern

  1. Lay the fabric flat then start scrunching it toward the center until all the fabric is scrunched.
  2. Apply rubber bands around the sides to keep the fabric scrunched together.
  3. Apply dye color to the top side of the fabric. Flip it over and repeat.

Shibori Patterns

DIY Shibori - Honestly WTF includes a beautiful tutorial with pictures for these Shibori techniques.
 
  1. Itajime shaped resist
  2. Arashi pole wrap resist
  3. Kumo pleated and bound resist