How to Tie Dye Long Sleeve Shirts

Author Info

Last Updated: April 1, 2022 References

Tie dying turns a white shirt into a bright spiral or pop of color. Choose white cotton fabric and use bottles of dye to experiment with the process. Tie dying long-sleeve shirts is similar to dying short-sleeve shirts, but it requires plenty of care to be taken during the wrapping process if you want to create a particular pattern.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing Your Tie Dye Station

Download Article

Bottles are much easier to use than mixed dye, because you can apply them more exactly to sections of the shirt. If you want a rainbow tie-dye shirt, look for a kit that contains all the shirts you need.^{[1]
X
Research source}
Purchase soda ash, or washing soda that is made of sodium carbonate. Purchase rubber bands.

Advertisement
It will protect the table, but it also allows the t-shirt to be wrapped more easily. Keep a plastic bag and a bucket nearby so that you can transport your shirt to the laundry room.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Wrapping Your Shirt

Download Article

Then, you can repeat with a shirt soaked in soda ash and water.
2
Smooth out the shirt on the plastic drop cloth. Move the tips of the long sleeves so that they are gathered next to the body of the shirt. Try to keep them close if you want them to form a pattern with the rest of the shirt.
- Keep them separate if you want a different pattern on the sleeves than the body of the tee.
Pinch the shirt in the middle of that line, in the center of the chest.^{[3]
X
Research source}
The shirt will start to form a spiral. Use your other hand to continue twisting the shirt.^{[4]
X
Research source}
This means that you will create extra lines, or folds, in the shirt between each turn.
7
Stop when you’ve made a tight spiral that is in the shape of a circle. Take rubber bands and open them with your hands. Slide them under and over the circle until they are tight on opposite ends.
- Avoid picking the shirt bundle up, since it can change the shape you’ve created. Instead, slide the rubber bands across the drop cloth.
Then, do diagonal lines. The end result will look like it has several pizza slices.^{[5]
X
Research source}
^{[6]
X
Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Dying Your Shirt

Download Article

Apply just enough dye to soak the fabric in a pie slice-section, but not to create excess dye on your drop cloth. When in doubt, use less dye.
You can also alternate colors to create a color-blocked spiral. Repeat until you’ve dyed all the pie sections.^{[7]
X
Research source}
Repeat the process of applying bottle dye to each section. Match up the right color from the front with the color on the back.^{[8]
X
Research source}
Let it sit according to the dye instructions.^{[9]
X
Research source}
Remove the rubber bands.
Do not use soap.
It will help to set the dye further. Your shirt is ready to wear or wash as desired.^{[10]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How long do I leave the tie-dyed shirt in the bag?

Community Answer

Typically you leave a tie-dyed shirt in a bag for at least 24 hours before washing it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 9
Question

How do I make a rainbow effect on a t-shirt?

Community Answer

Mix food coloring in a bowl with more or less water (depending on how light you want your colors to be), and dip your T-shirt into the bowl.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 3

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

The tighter you place the rubber bands, the more likely it is to create a white stripe down your shirt. When making colored spirals, try to get underneath the rubber band to ensure there aren’t stripes.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
You can choose a random pattern in place of the spiral. For example, you can push the shirt into long, thin bands and then secure it every few inches with rubber bands before you dye it. You can also roll it or grasp small sections and secure them in loops with rubber bands.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you want a more faded/pastel color, you can dilute the dye a tad bit to get that lighter shade of color.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0