Makeover Your Wardrobe with these Clever New Ways to Dye Clothing
Updated on May 25, 2016
If you’re ready for a wardrobe makeover, fabric dye can be used to give your old clothes an affordable update. This roundup of dyeing techniques demonstrates the wide range of looks you can create, going far beyond the basic tie-dye you remember doing as a teen.
Ice Dye Tank
Update a boring old tank with a clever ice dye technique. Ice mixes with powdered dye to make unique watercolor patterns. Brit + Co has the details.
Sharpie Tank
Use colorful Sharpie markers and rubbing alcohol to make a beautiful watercolor pattern on your summer tank. Learn more at Crown Hill By Day.
Dip Dye Tee
A dip dye technique makes it easy to add a sophisticated ombre effect to a plain white t-shirt. Visit the Anthropologie blog for details.
Elmer’s Glue Tee
A hand drawn design covered in Elmer’s Blue School Glue and covered in fabric dye creates a unique look for a basic tee. Hox Holly has the tutorial.
Shibori Indigo Dye Tee
Shibori techniques date back to ancient Japan. Learn how to make this indigo dye shirt at Common Thread.
Shibori Bleached Tee
Camouflage stains on a dark t-shirt with a bleaching technique reminiscent of shibori. Freshly Found explains.
Bleached Doily Tee
Use a doily and bleach to create a funky design on an old dark colored t-shirt. Instructables has the details.
Stenciled Bleach Tee
Contact paper stencils and a spray bottle with bleach water make this DIY project easy to complete. All Parenting has the instructions.
Galaxy Dye Tee
Use bleach and spray fabric dye to turn a plain black t-shirt into a space inspired masterpiece. I Love To Create shows you how.
Ombre Shibori Tie-Dye Tee
Crafts by Amanda uses a combination of several different dyeing techniques to create her stylish t-shirts. These are the perfect tees to wear all summer long!
Tape Tees
Use textile stencil tape and Tulip Color Shot instant fabric dye to create unique geometric patterns on your shirt. I Love to Create explains.
Salt Resist Tee
A variation on the traditional tie-dye, this salt resist tee has a subtle textured design. Fave Crafts has the details.
Pretty Painted Jeans
Spruce up plain white jeans with a stylish dye technique that involves using a foam paint brush and Rit dye. Glam Radar has the details.
Random Rainbow Jeans
These trendy jeans get their rainbow pattern from Tulip’s Color Shot instant fabric dye. Head over to I Love to Create for the tutorial.
Bleached Denim
Use bleach and a modification of the basic tie-dye technique to give old jeans a one-of-a-kind makeover. The Glamorous Gleam shows you how.