How to Make a Purple Pastel Tie Dye Tee with HTV Graphic

You’d think we would have ran out of tie dye tips to share with you, but since we are learn-as-we-go (and fail-as-we-go) kind of girls, we are just getting started! For today’s project we took a couple of tried and true tie dye methods from our book, DIY Guide to Tie Dye Style, and changed them up just a bit to get a one-of-a-kind Purple Pastel Tie Dye Tee and the results could not be cuter! First, we used the typical bullseye binding method and shifted where it is applied on the shirt to create a surprising design, then, we opted to use string instead of rubber bands to bind the shirt, which resulted in lots of interesting texture that you can’t achieve any other way!

Then, to take the project to the next level, we cut an adorable “be a good human” decal from heat transfer vinyl using our Silhouette Cameo and created a tee that is worthy of hip boutique for a fraction of the cost. Here’s how you do it:

Supplies needed to make a Pastel Tie Dye Tee

White 100% cotton shirt
Tulip one-step tie dye in lilac
Rubber bands
String
Gloves
Scissors
Black adhesive vinyl
“Be a good human” design
Cutting machine (we use a Silhouette Cameo)
Iron
Plastic wrap

How to make a Pastel Tie Dye Tee

Watch the video, or read the steps below!

Step 1: Wet the shirt to prepare for dyeing, wringing it out so that it is not dripping. Fill the one-step tie dye bottle with water according to package directions and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare a dyeing surface. I usually work in my sink because it is stainless steel, but you could work in a large dye-safe container or on a covered surface.

Step 3: Prepare your tee to be bound by folding it using the bullseye technique, but instead of beginning at the center of the shirt as is traditionally done, start just below the sleeve. (If you have never bound a bullseye, find our tutorial here.)

Step 4: Once you have folded your fabric, begin wrapping the fabric tightly with string, starting on one end and working your way to the other until the fabric is completely bound. (See the video above if you’d like further clarification about this folding/binding technique.)

Step 5: Place your bound fabric on the surface you prepared for dyeing and completely saturate the bundle with dye on one side. Then, flip it over and saturate the other side.

Step 6: Once the bundle of fabric has been completely covered in dye, wrap it in plastic wrap to keep it wet while it sets. Let set for 8-24 hours, or according to your dye package directions.

Step 7: Once the dye has set, remove the bundle from the plastic wrap and carefully remove the string using scissors.

Step 8: Rinse the tee until the water runs clear, then wash and dry it by itself.

Step 9: Cut the “be a good human” design out of vinyl using your craft cutter (If you have never done this before, visit our tutorial here.) and weed the excess.

Step 10: Place the design on your shirt where desired (backing-side up) and iron the design to the shirt using a hot, dry iron, working in 30 second increments until it has adhered completely. Then, remove the backing from the design.

That’s it! Now go put on this adorable tee and be a good (and super cute) human!

And for more tie dye inspiration, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel right here, and pick up our new book, DIY Guide to Tie Dye Style here! We’d love to tie dye with you!