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How to Make an Easy Cross Tie-Dyed T-Shirt

Tie-dye is an enjoyable and simple technique whereby different colors of dye are transferred to plain cotton t-shirts in various patterns. A variety of bright colors are often used. Tie-dye patterns can be random, spiral or can take specific shapes such as that of a cross. While hippies might have made tie-dye famous in the 1960s and early 1970s, people of all walks of life and fashion preferences can enjoy making a simple tie-dye cross t-shirt.

Things You'll Need

Pre-washed, pre-shrunk white cotton t-shirt
Rubber bands
Large bucket
Soda ash fixer
Latex gloves
Trash bags
Fabric dye, various colors
Professional textile detergent
Clothesline with pins

Instructions

- 1
  Lay a short-sleeved cotton t-shirt face down on a flat surface. Fold the t-shirt down on top of itself until the neck lies face-up halfway down the back of the t-shirt. Fold the sleeves and neck into the center of the t-shirt, into a triangular shape. Look at t-shirt which should now look like a paper boat or sailor's hat. Scrunch the middle of the t-shirt together slightly, forming a raised vertical line down the center of the t-shirt. Understand that this will form the vertical beam of the cross after it's dyed. Fold the bottom of the t-shirt up until the bottom edge of the t-shirt meets its center.
- 2
  Hold the folded t-shirt with one hand while you tie rubber bands around the t-shirt length and width-wise until you have about six segmented sections. Fill a large bucket or pail with 8 oz. of soda ash fixer and 1 gal. of warm water. Soak the tied t-shirt in the bucket for 10 minutes.
- 3
  Put on a pair of latex rubber gloves and remove the t-shirt from the bucket. Wring out excess fluid from the shirt into the bucket until the t-shirt is damp and not dripping liquid.
- 4
  Lay the tied t-shirt on a flat surface covered in trash bags. Decide how many colors you want to use on your t-shirt (use at least two and up to six --- one for each segment). Squeeze fabric dye onto the segments of the t-shirt until the shirt is full of dye. Understand that about 4 oz. of dye will absorb into a damp, treated cotton t-shirt.
- 5
  Place the dyed t-shirt into a clear trash bag, tie off the top and let it rest for 24 hours.
- 6
  Fill your washing machine with hot water and 1/4-cup professional textile detergent. Remove the t-shirt from the trash bag and rinse it thoroughly outside over a bucket until the water runs clear. Remove the rubber bands and rinse the t-shirt thoroughly with warm water. Toss the rinsed t-shirt into the washing machine and let it complete its cycle.
- 7
  Dry the t-shirt on a clothesline or hanger after the first wash. Understand that the hot water and professional detergent will cause the colors to set. Wear and wash the shirt normally.

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