Quick Reverse Tie-Dye
This could possibly be the fastest and easiest way to tie-dye a shirt ever.
I found these navy and black tees on sale and I loved the fit, but I thought that they were a little plain. I wanted to jazz them up a little, but in a subtle way, so that I could still wear them under a jacket or with jewelry.
Typically if you want to tie-dye something, you have to let the dye set for 6-8 hours. With this method, you can be done in less than ten minutes.
Using bleach in a spray bottle, I was able to control how much of the shirt was altered and how much color was removed.
I found these navy and black tees on sale and I loved the fit, but I thought that they were a little plain. I wanted to jazz them up a little, but in a subtle way, so that I could still wear them under a jacket or with jewelry.
Typically if you want to tie-dye something, you have to let the dye set for 6-8 hours. With this method, you can be done in less than ten minutes.
Using bleach in a spray bottle, I was able to control how much of the shirt was altered and how much color was removed.
Supplies and Stuff
You will need
Arrange your tee in your bleach-proof space. I have a plastic mannequin set up on my work table. But you can just lay it flat on some plastic bags.
These two instructables may give you some ideas for layouts:
1) Transforming a boring old black t-shirt using bleach!
2) Bleach Spritz Clothing
- a clean dark tee shirt - the darker the better
- a spray bottle
- some rubber bands
- bleach
- a bleach-proof space
Arrange your tee in your bleach-proof space. I have a plastic mannequin set up on my work table. But you can just lay it flat on some plastic bags.
These two instructables may give you some ideas for layouts:
1) Transforming a boring old black t-shirt using bleach!
2) Bleach Spritz Clothing
Don't You Hate Delayed Gratification?
Now this is going to happen fast, so don't blink, or stop to check your email.
Gently mist your tee shirt. Like magic, every where that a drop of bleach touches, color is removed. Black turns brown and navy turns pink.
How does this happen? According to http://www.howstuffworks.com/question189.htm,
Anyway, the more bleach you use and the longer you leave on, the more color is removed. So, for subtle effects, mist lightly and go to the next step quickly.
On the example photos, I misted the black tee lightly and in an irregular pattern. For the navy blue tee, I went for a more dramatic tie-dye effect by tying rosettes into the fabric, using rubber bands. I also sprayed more heavily.
Gently mist your tee shirt. Like magic, every where that a drop of bleach touches, color is removed. Black turns brown and navy turns pink.
How does this happen? According to http://www.howstuffworks.com/question189.htm,
"When you buy a gallon of bleach at the grocery store, what you are buying is the chemical sodium hypochlorite mixed with water in a 5.25-percent solution. You're buying salt water that has been changed slightly by electricity.
"Natural stains (as well as dyes) produced by everything from mildew to grass come from chemical compounds called chromophores. Chromophores can absorb light at specific wavelengths and therefore cause colors. When chlorine reacts with water, it produces hydrochloric acid and atomic oxygen. The oxygen reacts easily with the chromophores to eliminate the portion of its structure that causes the color."
Anyway, the more bleach you use and the longer you leave on, the more color is removed. So, for subtle effects, mist lightly and go to the next step quickly.
On the example photos, I misted the black tee lightly and in an irregular pattern. For the navy blue tee, I went for a more dramatic tie-dye effect by tying rosettes into the fabric, using rubber bands. I also sprayed more heavily.
And... You're Done!
To stop the chemical reaction, rinse and wash your tee immediately.
I just dumped mine in the kitchen sink with a little dish soap.
Its ready to wear when dry.
I just dumped mine in the kitchen sink with a little dish soap.
Its ready to wear when dry.