Wrap rubber bands around the cone of fabric, starting about an inch below the point of the cone. You can add as many or as few rubber bands as you want. After your shirt has been properly prepared and still damp ( you want to do this part while its damp and dye it while its damp too if you can colors come out better!) lay it out flat on your surface. Take your sewing needle and thread at least 18 inches of thread and tie a knot in the end. To learn more about the basics of tie-dye, including how to prep, tie, dye, and wash tie-dyed garments, read my how-to article here: How to Tie Dye. If you want to create your own colors, you don’t need to mix the dyes in a bottle together, just squeeze the colors right onto the fabric. You can create the shirt pattern in whatever color sequence you want. Before we get started on tying up our shirts mix your dyes up per the instructions on your particular dye brand. Follow these instructions or you will not get your desired colors. Set your mixed and bottled dyes aside and wash off your hands well. You don't want to transfer dye onto your shirt while you are tying it. I have done that a million times and I get so mad at myself every time. Also to get the lighter blue color I had for my "sky" I simply used a spare bottle I had at home ( I have so many!) and I filled it mostly with water and added some of the blue dye I had mixed up. It is basically a very watered down version of the blue dye I used in the rainbow.

You’ll want your shirts to be damp, but not soaking. You can either use a clean shirt and dampen it with a spray bottle or hose or prewash the shirt without drying it before beginning.Gather your supplies and safety gear. Protect your work surface, wear old clothes, wear gloves to protect your hands from stains, and wear a dust mask when you’re mixing the dye powder. I use environmentally friendly, professional quality Procion Fiber Reactive Dyes. They don't fade, even after repeated washings. They don't wear off, therefore are safe on infant clothing and clothing for chemically sensitive people. Bag it up and leave it for 24 hours, you can leave it for 72 if you have the time and want bold colours.

Colorful rainbow tie dye shirts are so easy to make and are a fun activity for kids and adults alike! We can show you how to make this fun pattern using bright cheery colors and a handful of supplies. Why we love this project For more information about setting tie-dye, so it doesn’t fade, read this article: How to Set Tie Dye. Rinse and wash your design. Creating a side spiral tie-dye pattern is very similar to making a standard, center spiral design. All you need to do is choose a small spot on the side to create the center of your spiral. I use Synthrapol to removes any excess dye, but washing up liquid works exactly the same. You can use at the end of the hand rinse and you can also put a bit in the washing machine when you do the rinse out, but only a very small amount [about a teaspoon]." Common tie dye mistakes to avoid

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Starting at one end of your line, begin making small accordion pleats. Follow along the drawn line, folding the pleats in such as way that the marker line appears straight on the top of the folds. This means that you’ll be making the pleats a little deeper on the outside section and a little shallower on the inside section to accommodate the curve of the line. In this example we are creating an arched rainbow, however, you can also make the lines straight in any angle on the shirt. As long they are even spaced out, the rainbow pattern will come through well. Dyeing The Shirt When you’re shopping, look for items made with natural fibers – like 100% cotton, rayon, hemp, or linen. How to Tie Dye a Spiral Pattern