Tie dye is really popular right now and it is easier to learn how to tie dye than you might have expected. We have a collection of the best tie dye patterns, tie dye techniques, tie dye designs and instructions that are so easy they are the perfect first tie dye project for kids of all ages.
Tie dye is such a fun and creative activity you can do with your kids all year long, but especially during the summer months.
Tie Dye Ideas for Kids of All ages
Recently, I’ve seen some really groovy tie dye designs and patterns online and in magazines. Both kids and adults are embracing the tie dye trend, creating unique tie dye patterns with different tie dye techniques like dip dye which is trending!
Check out this list of 20+ tie dye projects!
When I think of tie dye, what comes to mind first is shirts. Probably because growing up, I tie dyed A LOT of t-shirts in Girl Scouts. But the truth is you can tie dye nearly anything.
- Things to wear: Shirts, dresses, pants, shoes, socks, bandanas, face masks
- Things to carry: Lunch bags, tote bags, backpacks, phone carriers, towels
Many of these posts include tie dye folding techniques with pictures and step instructions – especially handy if you’ve never tie dyed before. You’re sure to find at least one idea that will inspire you to tie dye something in your closet or around your home.
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Tie Dye Designs
Tie dyeing can be a fun way to express yourself. Recent advances in materials, dyes and technologies have opened the door for a new generation of tie-dye.
The lower the concentration of dye, the lighter the stain will be. Quality tie-dye should look like an advanced watercolor painting.
Tie Dye Techniques for Anything
You literally can tie die anything. Anything made of a fabric or foldable material that will take on the dye coloring. If you are not sure if it will, do a test with a sample or unseen corner of the material to make sure it can be tie dyed.
Tie Dye Supplies
You can get all your tie dye supplies in a kit which is best for beginners and each project may need a slightly different list of supplies, but in general you will need:
- fabric dye – liquid, powder or spray bottle
- rubber bands
- water
- gloves
- plastic or something to protect the surface
- large plastic bin if you are doing a dip dye technique
- funnels
- something to stir with
- clamp
- measuring cups
Tie Dye Patterns For Beginners
If you are looking for a first tie dye project, I recommend a dip dye or a spray dye project because those can be completed with the least amount of knowledge and effort! But most tie dye projects are not complicated and even if they are not perfect, they will be cheerful and colorful!
Step by Step for Popular Tie Dye Designs
What are the steps to produce a good tie dye design?
- 1. Plan your project.
- 2. Gather your supplies.
- 3. Pre-wash the fabric you will be dying to remove the sizing and get it prepared for tie dye.
- Cover the work surfaces to protect them.
- Follow the instructions.
- After it is done, wash according to instructions for best results.
TIE DYE TECHNIQUES
1. Make a Personalized Tie Dye Beach Towel for Each Kid
This simple tie dye towels technique is one of our very favorite summer craft ideas for kids. Headed to the beach or pool? Each member of the family can have their own name written in tie dye across their towel…oh, and it is a really easy first tie dye pattern to follow!
2. Mickey Mouse Tie Dye Pattern
Create this Mickey Mouse tie dye shirt for your next Disney trip! This makes a great group shirt for a family or organized group to identify each other at the park. Try using different colors of fabric dye for a fun way to quickly locate someone you know. It is a cool modification of a spiral design.
3. Fourth of July Tie Dye Design
Tie dye fourth of July t shirts are easy and fun to make! And transform a fabric item like a cotton t-shirt or bag into a patriotic design for a holiday celebration.
4. Dip Tie Dye Techniques
Learn how to dip dye tees for kids. It is an easy way to get started with tie dye at home in hot water and then rinse in cold water for best results. If you have never done it before. It is like easy tie dye for beginners!
5. Colorful & Bright Summer Designs
Try these fun tie dye projects – especially in the summer months. I love the watermelon pattern, the rainbow shoes and the traditional tie dye bag. All these different patterns inspire me to get out bright colors of dye!
Learn tie dye techniques from the pros! via Tie Dye Your Summer This has many ways on how to tie dye including specific ideas and instructions for each of these which do not have to be soaked in soda ash prior to dying:
- Two-minute tie dye technique using colors of your choice
- Spiral pattern design which is a traditional methods where you use rubber bands
- Reverse tie dye pattern <–this is a twist on the spiral tie dye pattern!
- Shibori technique
- Accordion fold method or fan fold
- Heart design
- Ice Dye technique
- Rainbow pattern
- Spider design
- Kaleidoscope technique
- String technique
- Crumple technique
- Stripes pattern
- Ombre technique
- Bullseye pattern
- Sunburst design
- Folding technique
- Watercolor design
- Chevron technique
- Galaxy pattern
6. Tie Dye Art Design
This is a great way to create serious pops of color with this permanent marker tie dye technique! via Kitchen Table Classroom
HOW TO TIE DYE SHIRTS
7. Tips for Tie Dying with Kids
Read on for some helpful tips and tricks for completing a great project – tie dyeing with kids! via Happiness is Homemade
8. Tie Dye with Ice Technique
Looking for different ways to tie dye? Check out this tutorial for tie dyeing with ice or snow! via Bre Pea
9. Water Balloon Tie Dye Idea
Tie dye t-shirts with water balloons at your next summer party! via Kimspired DIY
10. Captain America Tie Dye Design
Create Captain America tie dye shirts. via Simply Kelly Designs
11. Mermaid Tie Dye Technique
The mermaid lover in your family is going to want to make one of these tie dye shirts! via Doodle Craft Blog
Cool Tie Dye Patterns
Learn how easy it is to make rainbow swirl tie dyed shirts! via Crafty Chica
12. How to tie dye a random pattern?
If you want a random look, then start by scrunching and folding without thinking about being symmetrical. Once you have that first step competed, take a look to make sure that your random pattern…is a little bit symmetrical! That may seem like an opposite instruction, but truth is a random pattern looks best when it is still a pattern and there is some symmetry to it.
13. How do you make a tie dye swirl?
A tie dye swirl pattern is created through movement of the fabric in a whirl like fold. Start where you want the middle to be with your thumb and index finger and pinch and twist like you are twisting a knob until it starts to pull more and more of the fabric closer to your fingers in a cyclone technique. As you twist you will pull upward just a little to straighten out the fabric and you can use your other hand to guide the remaining fabric into a circle. Secure the fabric in this position by wrapping with rubber bands.
Folding Techniques for Different Tie Dye Patterns
With these tie dye tutorials, you can learn DIY tie dye folding techniques to transform anything! Try folding a T-shirt, or tote bag or a scarf. Most people think of the dye and colors to be the foundation of tie dye patterns, but it is actually the folding technique that allows the colors to be in the right place to make the unique patterns appear!
What is the Best Method to Tie Dye
The best method for tie dye will be dependent on what tie dye pattern that you use. My favorite tie dye is the spray tie dye which works great for some effects, but doesn’t work for everything! If you are just getting started, read through the tutorial and choose something simple for your first project.
MORE TIE DYE IDEAS
14. Make a tie dye face mask
Learn how to tie dye your face masks! via 5 Little Monsters
15. Sharpie Tie Dye Technique
Did you know you can tie dye your shoes with Sharpie pens? via Fun Loving Families
You can tie dye your socks, too! via The Tiptoe Fairy
16. Watermelon Tie Dye Pattern
This watermelon tie dye dress is so cute! Your daughter is going to want one this summer! via Paging Fun Mums
17. Pillowcase Patterns
Make personalized tie dye pillowcases! via Hometalk
18. Tie Dye Bag Designs
Create these fun tie dye party favor bags! via Ginger Snap Crafts
19. Tie Dyed Tote Bag Ideas
Tie dye a tote bag for you or a friend! via Doodle Craft Blog
20. Lunch Bag Patterns
Your kids will love tie dyeing their lunch bags, too. via Fave Crafts
Different Tie Dye Patterns FAQ
Most tie dye techniques will start with a damp fabric which allows the dye to infiltrate the fabric in a more uniform way. You can tie dye dry fabric, and the effect is more vibrant with less control over where the fabric dye goes and how consistent the color appears.
Soaking your finished tie dye project in a vinegar solution can help the fabric hold the color, colorfastness.
The amount of time you keep dye on your shirt will depend on the depth of color you desire and the type of tie dye technique you are using. A general rule of thumb is that the longer you leave the dye, the deeper the color that will result.
As with any type of crafty project, the more you experiment and try, the better results you will get. The good news is that many of these tie dye project are super simple and perfect first time projects even if you haven’t tried doing tie dye before.
When you are deciding what colors go well together with tie dye, think of two things:
1. What colors blend well? Because tie dye is about how colors combine when they flow together, it is a good idea to consider what colors will be made when different colors are combined. Many times this consideration will result with the use of just 2 or 3 colors in the beginning to allow the colors to combine in a lovely way.
2. What colors complement each other? Take a look at the color wheel to choose the type of project you desire:
Monochromatic: Different shades of the same color
Complementary: Colors that sit across from each other on the color wheel
Triadic: Two colors that one away from each other plus their complementary color resulting in 4 colors total
Analogous: 3 colors that sit together on the color wheel.
More Tie Dye Ideas from Kids Activities Blog
- Summer is the perfect time for tie dye projects.
- Try these tie dye science experiments!
- Here’s how to tie dye with food coloring.
- Make a batch of tie dye cupcakes for the tie dye lover in your family!
- Dip dye t-shirts for kids and adults!
- Making natural food coloring is easy and healthy.
- This is an easy and safe way to dye Easter eggs with toddlers.
- Try dyeing Easter eggs with silk scarves!
- Searching for more fun tie dye art projects? Look no further.
- My kids loved creating these stained glass art pieces!
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Have you done any tie dyeing recently with your kids? Share your favorite project in the comments below.
these are really cool ideas i would like it if yall would send me some cool photos and ideas
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the last part I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the tie dye pattern information – how did your dying project turn out?