Make Cool Tie Dye T-Shirts with Jacquard

 What says summer more than making your own tie dyed Clothes?

We, as a Family love to Tie Dye Clothes.  My son considers it a summer tradition right along with eating watermelon and picnics on the beach.  Our toddler likes to help but prefers to wear the fruits of our labor.  This year we tried a tie dye kit. Supplies:

• Jacquard Tie Dye Kit
• White clothing

The Jacquard kit supplies enough dye for 5 tie dyed shirts.  We dyed 3 size 2T shirts and 2 size 2T skirts and 3 medium kid’s shirts.  The tie dye kit contains everything you will need to make the project.  The directions in the package are very clear and easy to understand – they even supply illustrated instructions for making different patterns.  My son wanted to try a “fold and roll,” as he called it.

To make the “fold and roll” tie dyed shirt, you take a plain white t-shirt and fold it in half vertically.   Then you roll the piece, starting from one end and going to the other. When the roll is complete, place rubber bands where you would like the stripes to be located.  My son is pictured in the “fold and roll.”

For my daughter’s outfit, we used a simple roll.  You roll the piece, starting from one end and going to the other.  When the roll is complete, place rubber bands where you would like the stripes to be located.  I tried to guess where the colors would over lap in the tank top and the skirt. Jacquard has a fantastic series of videos showing different tie dying techniques. Before you get started, make sure you either cover your work surface completely or do it outside. I am very lucky to have a stainless steel sink that I use for dye baths. Please take every precaution as the dye will stain counters and clothes. Once you have decided on how to roll and tie your material, you will need to soak them in soda ash that is included in the kit. Follow the manufacturer’s directions by placing warm water and stirring until dissolved. Place fabric in the solution to soak for a half hour. Allow all the garments to soak. Once the garments have soaked… Start with the lightest color first, and soak material on all sides. Allow pieces to dry, remove rubber bands and wash in the washing machine. Place pieces in the dryer. I like to run a set of old towels in the washer and dryer after this to remove any excess dye color. Tie dye kits can be fun for the whole family!  And when you’re done, you kids will have a new, cute Summer outfit!