Ombre Dyeing Tutorial

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One of my favorite things to do crafting wise is dyeing. I love to tiedye fabrics, clothes, and especially handmade toys I make. I’ve even gotten my children into it. Every time they see me break out the dyes, they ask if they can dye something, too.

It’s such a fun process and the results are always so vibrant and beautiful. But, it’s also a mystery, too. With low water immersion or even tiedye or so many other ways to dye, sometimes you have no idea how it’s going to turn out. I love that about this craft.

Recently I purchased this shirt (which I conveniently forgot to take a “before” pic). It was a peasant style top on clearance at Ross for $5! (BTW, I’m a total thrift store junkie and buy most of my clothes and my family’s clothing from thrift stores, but if you shop the clearance section at Ross, you can get thrift store prices for some amazing deals).

I attempted to get an accurate picture for color, but the color is a cross between both of these pictures.

The problem was that it was pure white. I am a total mess. I get stuff all over me when I cook or craft, plus I have a 4 year old who thinks I’m a human napkin. A pure white shirt WILL NEVER work for me, ever. So, I pulled out a package of dye, one my faves, Tulip permanent powder dyes, in turquoise and decided to ombre they shirt.

Making something ombre is really easy, and you’ll love the results.

Ombre Dyeing Tutorial

Supplies

• Cotton or polycotton (at least 50% cotton) fabric or clothing such as a t-shirt or skirt in white
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 package of powdered dye such as Tulip’s permanent dye
• large metal pan such as a dutch oven.

Instructions:

Below the instructions is a picture step by step of the process. 

1.  Make a place for your set up because DYE STAINS!  I use one side of the stainless steel sink with a piece of foil stretched out on the counter to protect the counter and what I’m dyeing.

2.  Pour the powdered dye into the pan.  Fill it about 2/3rds to 3/4ths full with hot water.

3.  Add 1/4 cup of kosher salt. (I was out so I added sea salt instead.) Then, stir until salt is dissolved.

4.  Get your piece of clothing wet and then wring it out.

5.  Then, insert the bottom third of the clothing into the dye bath and lay the rest on the foil on the counter.

6.  Let it sit for hours.  As long as you can stand.  I usually do at least 4 hours.  You want the dye to crawl up the fabric.

7.  At the 4 hour mark take a measuring cup and sprinkle some of the dye bath up another 1/3rd of the clothing, both front and back and lay it back down.  Then, wait another hour.

8.  After that hour, then put the entire clothing into the dye bath and stir it just a bit.  Set a timer for 30 minutes.

9.  At 30 minutes, carry the entire thing to the washing machine, pour all of it into the washing machine, and run it on rinse twice.

10.  Next, add detergent and wash and rinse once more.

11.  Then, dry it in the dryer on a really hot setting.

Then, you’re done!

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