Arts and Crafts **Tie Dye Mickey ears shirts directions**NEW NEW PICS LAST PAGE**

[PixieDust32]

A tank top

 

[experiment818]

These are my tester shirts, and I can't wait to do more! I used a Tulip kit from Michael's so the colors aren't as vibrant as I'd like, and I think next time I'll soak them in soda ash and then let them dry before scrunching them.

Those look really good to me.

Are all of your shirts 100% cotton? We bought a tulip kit at Michaels also. They also had a selection of T-shirts right next to the tie dye paraphernalia. I bought one of these and didn't notice until I got home that it was only 50% cotton. I bought a couple of 100% cotton shirts elsewhere.

There is a very noticeable difference in the two types of fabric. The colors in the 100% cotton shirts are much more vibrant. The shirt that was only 50% cotton looks faded.....like it has been worn and washed 100 times.

 

[PixieDust32]

Yep! make sure the shirts are 100% cotton.

 

[natashag76]

ok, so i've done 4 test shirts, and they've ranged from a general mickey shaped blob to no shape at all! i admit i've been using sewing thread for the basting, not floss or fishing line - is that the problem? am i using too much dye? i think i'm pulling the stitches tight enough, i can't seem to yank them any harder than i already am. suggestions? i'm determined to figure this out and would love any help! thanks

 

[AKADrea]

ok, so i've done 4 test shirts, and they've ranged from a general mickey shaped blob to no shape at all! i admit i've been using sewing thread for the basting, not floss or fishing line - is that the problem? am i using too much dye? i think i'm pulling the stitches tight enough, i can't seem to yank them any harder than i already am. suggestions? i'm determined to figure this out and would love any help! thanks

I'm not an expert by any means, so take what I suggest with a grain of salt 1st, I would try floss or another thread that doesn't absorb the dye. And, 2nd, make sure you're putting the rubber bands at/right below the thread and make sure it's really tight, that'll help prevent the spread of the dye.

 

[scjo68]

I am no expert, I just started trying this myself after seeing this thread. (Thanks for the directions, Pixie Dust!)

I have had varying success with getting a clear Mickey, after trying different strategies. What helped was:

Using waxed floss rather than thread.
Getting rubber bands really tight around Mickey head.
Using several rubber bands around Mickey head so the "border" was really wide, tight.
Being careful about the amount of dye applied to the Mickey head. The best result occurred when I put a little dye on at a time, and watched how far it bled down toward the floss/ rubber band border. I stopped adding dye, when the dye appeard to just barely meet the rubber bands.


I have done pretty well getting the Mickey shape this way. What I can't seem to get is the beautiful swirled pattern of bright colors around the shirt that Pixie Dust gets. And I have tried a variety of twists, etc. Oh, well, at least it looks like Mickey, and the colors are pretty.

 

[natashag76]

thanks for the suggestions! can't wait to give them a try

 

[PixieDust32]

Hi!

I don't use floss, I use light brown silk thread, the color stands up and the silk is very strong so I can pull it hard.
Put a lot of rubber bands just below the stitching, tie 'em as much as you can, and be patience when you put the dye, do it slow and just enough dye.

The swirl is on the way you tie the shirt, twist the shirt slowly tuck the fabric as go. It should be a perfect circle, like a cinnamon bun, then add the dye like if it was pizza slices.

I hope ya'll understand my weird directions.

 

[AliVal]

Holy Crap! That's adorable!!! I am stopping at AC Moore on my way home today!!!! Thanks for the GREAT idea!!!!

 

[PixieDust32]

 

[disneyworldmom]

I love your shirts. What a great idea. Two quick questions:

What does the soda ash do? Help set the dye?

Also how do you set your colors at the end? I haven't tie-dyed since high school and my colors always ran when I tried to wash them. One time I got caught in the rain and ended up dying my bra!

Do you just wash them like you would any thing else? Then dry them to set?

Thanks

 

[PixieDust32]

I love your shirts. What a great idea. Two quick questions:

What does the soda ash do? Help set the dye?

Also how do you set your colors at the end? I haven't tie-dyed since high school and my colors always ran when I tried to wash them. One time I got caught in the rain and ended up dying my bra!

Do you just wash them like you would any thing else? Then dry them to set?

Thanks

Hi, thank you.

The ash soda helps the dye bond to the fabric.

Set the colors at the end? What do you mean? Sorry

When you first wash them a lot of dye is gonna wash off, then the first few washes a little bit more. I wash them with cold water and by hand, do not put them in the dyer at least for the first few times.

 

[PixieDust32]

Small Tank Top. I made this one for a Friend's DD.

I really like the tanks too.

 

[luvmyfam444]

subscribing

 

[PixieDust32]

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

love the bright colors of the tank top! wow!

 

[PixieDust32]

Thank you!

 

[may_baby06]

those shirts are awesome. I have tried 3 times and can't seem to get it right. I can get a nice swirl on the back and a blob on the front. on one i got a semi outline of a mickey head. I will have to go look for the pen and see what i can do again.

 

[PixieDust32]

those shirts are awesome. I have tried 3 times and can't seem to get it right. I can get a nice swirl on the back and a blob on the front. on one i got a semi outline of a mickey head. I will have to go look for the pen and see what i can do again.

Also make sure your shirt is 100% cotton and thick, like fruit of the loom, I noticed that the dye doesn't run and makes just like you said a blob because the thicker the cotton count holds the dye better, I learned that somewhere in google.
And tie the rubber bands as much and hard as you can. I have some new pictures of the steps, I'll post them in a few minutes. Don't give up!

 

[insoin]

I sent you an email about the shirts. I love them!