Tie Dye Instructions for Spiral Mickey Shirt

[CAJUNBLAZE]

where do you find soda ash and is there another name for it?
I looked for it at the local walmart and couldnt find it by the fabric dept or the dye section.

 

[KarenW]

where do you find soda ash and is there another name for it?
I looked for it at the local walmart and couldnt find it by the fabric dept or the dye section.

I don't know about Walmart, but I saw it by the tye dye kits at both Hobby Lobby & Michaels. It was hanging with the individual bottles of dye.

Thank you, kat3668 for answering my questions. Anyone know of a good place to find 100% cotton shirts? Both Michael's & Hobby Lobby's are 50/50.

 

[kat3668]

I have bought for this company before they are a great quality and value!
http://www.jiffyshirts.com/tshirts/...ton t shirts&gclid=CKD3qPzH0owCFR6AWAodFXEutg

 

[kat3668]

where do you find soda ash and is there another name for it?
I looked for it at the local walmart and couldnt find it by the fabric dept or the dye section.

I have bever seen it in stores other than in kits.
you could try here
http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/1683-AA.shtml

Good luck!

 

[quiltymom]

I don't know about Walmart, but I saw it by the tye dye kits at both Hobby Lobby & Michaels. It was hanging with the individual bottles of dye.

Thank you, kat3668 for answering my questions. Anyone know of a good place to find 100% cotton shirts? Both Michael's & Hobby Lobby's are 50/50.

Target. They cost a bit more, but they're very good quality. I get the Cherokee brand. They go on sale every once in a while, but the short sleeved ones are seasonal, so get them before they're replaced with the long sleeved ones!

 

[mom2mykids]

I'm planning on doing some summer shirt projects, the tye dye and some iron on transfers for our Sept trip.

What is the soda ash used for? I'll be heading out to Michaels next week. Also am I correct that the 50/50 shirts get lighter colors than the 100% Should I wash shirts first? I was wondering about the 100% and shrinkage. Not a problem for me and the kids but DH is an XL Tall and some of his shirts have shrunk after washing. I'd rather shrink a plain shirt then one we have "worked" on, LOL.
Thanks!

 

[mom2mykids]

Target. They cost a bit more, but they're very good quality. I get the Cherokee brand. They go on sale every once in a while, but the short sleeved ones are seasonal, so get them before they're replaced with the long sleeved ones!

Thats good to know! Thanks!!!

 

[MNRMommy]

I'm planning on doing some summer shirt projects, the tye dye and some iron on transfers for our Sept trip.

What is the soda ash used for? I'll be heading out to Michaels next week. Also am I correct that the 50/50 shirts get lighter colors than the 100% Should I wash shirts first? I was wondering about the 100% and shrinkage. Not a problem for me and the kids but DH is an XL Tall and some of his shirts have shrunk after washing. I'd rather shrink a plain shirt then one we have "worked" on, LOL.
Thanks!

Yes, the 50/50 shirts will get much less vibrant colors on them. I allways wash mine first and my DH is also XL Tall so I never put his in the drier after. I got him all 2xl's for our trip this time around. The soad ash is used to soak the shirt in pre-dyeing. From what I understand of the process it helps the colors grab on and stay vibrant but other disers may know more specifically. DH does the actual tie dyeing in our house. I just come up with these projects and do all the photo editing for the iron ons.

 

[DizneeMommy]

I used the 50/50 shirts, and was VERY pleased with how ours came out! Granted, we did let them sit the entire 24 hours, but we love them! (i posted pics further back up in the thread--#78.)

 

[KarenW]

I used the 50/50 shirts, and was VERY pleased with how ours came out! Granted, we did let them sit the entire 24 hours, but we love them! (i posted pics further back up in the thread--#78.)

Yours turned out very vibrant! Which brand tye-dye did you use and did you use soda ash? I am being very OCD about this project!!

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

I love the pictures, they really help me out, considering I have never done this before.... They all came out terrific... Good Job!

 

[KarenW]

I Anyone know of a good place to find 100% cotton shirts? Both Michael's & Hobby Lobby's are 50/50.

To answer my own question and for anyone else who might be looking ... I bought very nice Fruit of the Loom 100% cotton shirts at Walmart yesterday. Now to get up the nerve to do this!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Just got back from Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart with all the goodies we need to dye our shirts!!!

 

[quiltymom]

I had a cute design made for my kids for tees for our trip to visit my parents over on the DISigns board. I purchased white tees, but then was inspired to do tye-dye on them. I purchased a mini TD kit (says to make 5 tees) and just gave it a try. I'll let you know how they turned out tomorrow.

Until then, I want to post some observations & questions.

The directions don't say just how TIGHT to make the rubber bands, so I made them tight. I really don't care what happens this batch of tees since they will have a transfer smacked in the front of them, but I wanted to see what the result would be vs. having the bands tighter BEFORE I made the Mickey-head tees. Granted, these tees were small (cami for DD6, muscle shirt for DS9, & a tank for me - all purchased at le Target Botique, as I love to call it!), so the bands were either loose or very tight. So, tight it was.

The directions here say to soak the shirt in the soda ash BEFORE it has been tied, and the kit directions said soak AFTER it was tied. So, I tied, then soaked. Since the shirts were tied so tight, I got worried that the soda ash wouldn't get to the center, so I loosen the bands. That was a mistake because then I had to fix everything afterwards!

QUESTION #1: How tight did you get your shirts?
QUESTION #2: Did you tie the Mickey first, soak, then tie; or tie the Mickey, tie the rest of the shirt, then soak?

If you are only using red, blue & yellow dyes:

BIG TIP OF THE DAY -- START WITH YELLOW FIRST! Then make sure you keep that part on top while using the red and blue, if possible. The other colors take over quickly, at least on the surface.

QUESTION #3: If you tied your shirt tight, did you have a huge problem squirting the dye inbetween the folds? (I did since they were small AND tight.)
QUESTION #4: How many of you have NOT had the dye drip all over while applying it? The directions say to squirt to saturate, but make sure it doesn't drip. Is that even possible? Everyone's right - it is a messy mess! I dripped all over the place.

BTW - I had about 1/3 of the dyes left since I only did 3 shirts. I really had no idea just how much dye to use. I guess that I'll soon find out.

I made my mess in the utility sink in the basement - it's already a mess, so I just added some color to it! It made me wonder about all those laundry rooms you see made over on HGTV or Country Home magazine where they have a fabric skirt on their utility sink. Come on folks - don't you ever make a mess?

I'll be sure to post pics of the mess once they're completed! Wish me luck!

 

[quiltymom]

Here are my tees, sans Mickey head:

They turned out better than I had thought. DS's shirt turned out the best - the first one - and DD's - the second one - there was a lot of brown where the excess dyes hit the yellow. Due to time constraints (I'm packing for vacation as I type this message!) I let them sit for 20 hours before washing & rinsing when the instructions called for 24 hours. So, it won't really matter too much if you need to cut the dying time a bit short.

The colors are a lot more vibrant in person.

I won't bind the next set to tightly. That will help distribute the dyes in the center. That should help keep the colors from blending together as much. DD's has a lot of brown in it, which I'm not thrilled with, but it'll work. I bet she won't even notice!

My only tip from this is that if you want purple in addition to the red, blue & green that comes with the kits, purchase an extra kit and mix some to use separately. I tried for purple just by mixing on the shirts, and it turned out almost brown.

I'll try to post photos of the finish shirts with the transfers on them if I have time. I'm still trying to keep them a secret from the kids!

 

[ktturner]

They look great! I found you could buy purple alone as well. That saves on buying another kit and mixing!

 

[angikay30]

Thanks so much for these great instructions - and the tips too! I did two of these last week - and I wanted to emphasize the 100% cotton tip - use 100% cotton shirts. I tried one with a 50/50 blend that I got at Michaels - and one that was 100% cotton. Both used the same dye, etc. The 100% cotton turned out MUCH better - the colors really popped compared to the blend.

The blend t-shirt was for my daughter - and I tried using yellow for the Mickey head. Well you could barely see the Mickey head - I think it was due to the light color yellow and the fact that I was using a 50/50 blend t-shirt. I still wanted to salvage this shirt - so she could still wear it proudly. So....here's a little tip from me. Go to Michaels or another craft/fabric store - and get a couple bottles of their 3D fabric paint - they're only 70 cents a bottle. Then just use that to outline the Mickey head. This worked great for me! I used blue sparkle - and then added glow in the dark yellow to the inside and outside of the blue sparkle Mickey Head - and my daughter loves it. Not bad for a shirt I was just going to throw in the trash.
Note: I'm not sure how long the paint will last...I haven't had it on long enough to know how durable it will be.

I'll try inserting a picture - here's a picture of the 50/50 blend shirt with the 3D fabric paint:

 

[turning40withMickey]

I love the addition of the fabric paint, it makes your daughter's shirt look fabulous! I can't wait to see the applique that quiltymom puts on hers, I have a few great tie dye shirts already that I am hoping to put to a new Disney use! I am almost ready to do my own, too! This is a fabulous thread! Thanks to all of you who motivate me every day!

 

[limace]

These are fabulous! We're going to make some! Thanks so much for the awesome instructions and photos-I'd never figure this out from written instructions.

 

[mom of princess]

It's a good thing DH is used to MANY craft projects around the house because this looks like another one to try. I think I'll start with one for DH so that if it doesn't turn out right he can wear it to do yardwork...or sleep in.
I'm wondering if you can find 100% cotton shirts for toddler sizes? DD is only in 3-4T and want to make one she could wear out in public without looking like a nightgown. Any hints? Maybe I'll check at the local Joann's.