Since the 60's, tie dye technique is a textile craft method that has become a tradition for many people. This coloring technique can make clothes more colorful, psychedelic, and of course interesting. The dyeing process for tie dye is quite simple and can be done at home. Apart from that, you can also use this technique to color a hoodie. Instead of buying a tie-dyed hoodie on the market, prepare the necessary materials, arrange a workplace, and color your own hoodie with an attractive design and of course cheap!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Soaking the Hoodie in Soda Ash
Step 1. Spread a plastic tablecloth on the table surface to protect it from stains
The dye-binding process can be messy and leave a lot of stains. Therefore, place a plastic tablecloth on the surface of the table to protect it from spilled water or clothing dye stains. Pin or clip the plastic tablecloth to the table surface so that its position does not change while the hoodie coloring process is in progress.
Paint the hoodie in the garage or on the folding table in the yard so that the furniture and items in your home don't get stained
Step 2. Mix soda ash with water in a large bucket
Over time, the dye will fade or even fade. Therefore, mix 200 ml of soda ash for every 4 liters of water in the bucket. Soda ash is a good option because it is made from natural ingredients. Alternatively, you can also use sodium carbonate. You can buy soda ash or sodium carbonate at your local craft store.
- Don't forget to wear rubber gloves during the staining process so you don't irritate your hands.
- Choose a large bucket or bowl to color the hoodie with the tie-dye technique. Unlike a t-shirt or shirt, a hoodie takes up a lot of space.
- If soda ash gets into your eyes, rinse immediately with clean water. If the eye feels very sore, immediately consult a doctor.
Step 3. Wash and then squeeze the white cotton hoodie to remove the oil and dirt that sticks
Put the white hoodie in the washing machine (make sure the hoodie is not washed with other clothes) then select the spin cycle. After that, dry the hoodie with a clothes dryer or squeeze it by hand if you don't want to wait long. This is done so that the hoodie can absorb the dye optimally. In addition, the oil and dirt stuck to the hoodie will also disappear so it will not affect the design.
A white cotton hoodie is the best option because the dyed tie pattern and pattern will stand out more clearly, you can also use a colored hoodie, but don't go for a dark one. Also consider whether the basic color of the hoodie can mix with the color of the clothes to the maximum or not
Step 4. Soak the hoodie in the soda ash solution for 5-10 minutes
Dip the hoodie into the soda ash solution and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. After that, take out the hoodie, squeeze it with your hands, then lay it flat on a plastic cloth. You can also reuse the soda ash solution in the bucket if you want to dye other clothes!
Step 5. Pour 10 liters of warm water into the bucket and add the clothes dye
Make sure the water temperature is warm enough like when going to bathe the baby (around 32–37°C). Add 5-10 grams of clothes dye to the bucket and stir with a spoon until evenly distributed.
- If you want to add more than one color, prepare an additional bucket and fill it with warm water and clothes dye so the color doesn't mix with the first bucket.
- Add more dye if you want the color to stand out more. Cut down on the color of your clothes so they don't stand out too much.
Part 2 of 3: Creating Diverse Tie Patterns
Step 1. Create a one-color spiral pattern by twisting the center of the hoodie
Lay the hoodie flat on the plastic sheet. After that, grasp the center of the hoodie and twist it left or right until the hoodie is folded. Tie the hoodie with 5 or 6 rubber bands to keep the folds from turning. Soak the hoodie in the dye solution for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
The folded part of the hoodie won't absorb the dye completely, creating a white spiral in the middle of the hoodie
Step 2. Create a bullseye pattern by tying an elastic band to the center of the hoodie
Pinch the center of the hoodie with your fingers, making sure the front and back of the hoodie are pinched together. After that, lift about 3 cm up. Tie an elastic band to the raised part of the hoodie. Continue tying the rubber bands at a distance of 3 cm until the entire hoodie is tied and becomes a cylinder shape. After that, soak the hoodie in the dye solution for 30-60 minutes.
- Do not pull on the part of the hoodie that is tied to the rubber band. Instead, pull the top of the hoodie up to move it. After that, tie it with an elastic band while the hoodie is pulled up.
- When finished, there will be a bullseye circle motif in the middle of the hoodie!
Step 3. Create multicolored diagonal stripes by folding the hoodie like an accordion
Start at the bottom corner of the hoodie and fold it over to the opposite shoulder about 5 cm wide. After that, turn the hoodie over and fold it again 5 cm wide. Continue turning and folding the hoodie into a 5cm long rectangle. Tie an elastic band every 2.5 cm so that the crease of the hoodie does not change.
- To create a multicolored pattern, soak half the hoodie in the first dye bucket for 30 minutes. After that, soak the rest of the hoodie in the second bucket of dye for 30 minutes.
- When finished, there will be two diagonal colors with white parallel stripes 5 cm apart on the surface of the hoodie !
Step 4. Create a sunburst by pinning the hoodie and using liquid dye
Start by pinching the hoodie with your fingers, making sure the front and back of the hoodie are pinched together. After that, tie the stapled hoodie with a rubber band. Repeat on other areas of the hoodie until satisfied with the amount. Apply liquid clothing dye to areas of the hoodie that aren't tied with an elastic band. After that, apply a few drops of liquid clothing dye on the area of the hoodie that is tied with an elastic band.
- The sunlight motif is very easy to color with various colors. Add additional dye to the hoodie, which is tied with a rubber band, so that the resulting sunlight pattern is different from the basic color of the hoodie.
- You don't need to use a bucket to create this motif. However, if you don't have liquid clothing dye, the dye in the bucket can also be used as an alternative. Unfortunately, the color will be less striking. Soak the hoodie in the dye solution for 30-60 minutes.
Part 3 of 3: Completing the Hoodie Coloring Process
Step 1. Leave the hoodie still tied with the rubber band for 2 hours
After you finish soaking the hoodie, don't immediately remove the rubber band. Keep the hoodie tied to the rubber band for 2 hours on a plastic sheet or outside. This is done so that the dye can absorb completely. In addition, this can also make it easier for you when washing the remnants of the dye that is still attached without worrying about the color changing.
- If you want the color to be more striking, leave it overnight.
- You can wrap the hoodie in plastic so it doesn't leave a stain while the dye soaks in.
Step 2. Remove the rubber band and wash the hoodie thoroughly
Rinse the hoodie in the sink or in the shower under cold running water until it's clear. Rinsing the hoodie with cold water can remove any remaining dye residue. In addition, this can also make the color of the hoodie more striking.
You can use warm water to wash the hoodie, then gradually lower the water temperature until it is cool enough. This can remove more of the remaining dye that is stuck. However, if the water is too hot, the dye may smudge a little
Step 3. Wash the hoodie in the washing machine and then dry it
After rinsing in cold water, put the hoodie in the washing machine (make sure the hoodie is not washed with other clothes), add detergent, then choose a cold water wash cycle. The hoodie may have to be washed several times until there is no trace of the dye remaining. After that, put the hoodie in the clothes dryer and dry it. Once dry, the hoodie is ready to wear!
Do not wash the hoodie with a special detergent or one that is too harsh, as this can cause the dye to run off. Choose a mild detergent to wash a freshly dyed hoodie
Tips
- If you don't want to dye the hoodie straps, you can wrap it in a plastic bag tied with a rubber band. By doing this, the dye will not seep into the hoodie straps.
- All of the tie-dyed motifs listed in this article can also be applied to a hoodie hood. Choose a sunlight motif to make it easier. You can also choose a spiral motif. After the middle of the hoodie is tied with a rubber band, twist the hoodie hood and tie it with a rubber band.
Warning
- Wear gloves when coloring your hoodie so you don't get dirty or irritated by soda ash.
- When using clothes dye, wear clothes you don't wear often. This is done so that your favorite clothes don't get stained.
