It’s time for a camp favorite! Learn how to tie-dye shirts, other clothing, or craft paper.

Start at the beginning and work until your grade level icon or the all camper icon says, “CLICK HERE.”

 
 
 
 
Tie Dye 1.png

Prep

Let’s first talk about tie-dye safety and what you’ll need for dying clothes! You will learn how to prep your shirt using traditional dying and reverse tie-dying methods, and then you can pick a design you want to try.

 

traditional tie-dye

using white shirts and tie-dye kits

 

Reverse Tie-dye

using colored shirts and bleach

 
 

Choose a Tie-Dye Design

 

Choose a Tie-Dye Design

 
Tie Dye 2.png

Bullseye

Here is an overview of how to create a bullseye tie-dye pattern, followed by variations:

 

Color Variation Patterns:

Bullseye Variations.png
 

Location Variations:

Try starting your bullseye design by pinching and pulling at the following locations:

  • Center

  • Bottom

  • Shoulder

 
 
Tie Dye 3.png

Spiral

Here is an overview of how to create a spiral tie-dye pattern, followed by variations:

 

Color Variation Patterns:

spiral variations.png
 

Location Variations:

Try starting your spiral design by pinching and twisting at the following locations:

  • Center

  • Bottom

  • Shoulder

 
 
Tie Dye 4.png

Back Wash

Here is an overview of how to create a back wash (aka spider) tie-dye pattern, followed by variations:

 

Color Variation Patterns

backwash variations.png
 

Location Variations:

Try starting your spiral design by pinching and twisting at the following locations:

  • Center

  • Bottom

  • Shoulder

 
 
Tie Dye 5.png

Lightning Bolt

Here is an overview of how to create a lightning bolt tie-dye pattern:

 
 
Tie Dye 6.png

V

Here is an overview of how to create a V tie-dye pattern:

 
 
Tie Dye 7.png

X

Here is an overview of how to create an X tie-dye pattern:

 
 
Tie Dye 8.png

Stripes

Here is an overview of how to create a striped tie-dye pattern:

 
 
Tie Dye 9.png

Finishing Tie-Dye

Finishing your tie-dye has just five easy steps:

 
newspaper-152320_1280.png

Wrap shirt in newspaper (optional), and place in plastic bag.

alarm-clock-4522009_1280.png

Let shirt rest in bag for 24 hours.

air-water-1295981_1280.png

Take out of bag, remove newspaper, leave strings on and rinse for 2 or 3 minutes.

school-1555907_1280.png

Take strings off carefully and rinse for 2 or 3 minutes.

lavadora-4435471_1280.png

Wash in machine with a non-bleach detergent by itself or with a pair of old jeans and dry.

 
 
 
 
 
Tie-Dye DONE.png

Celebrate! Send us a picture or video of you completing a tie-dye activity.

Let us know what you loved about the tie-dye activities and what we can improve.

Return to the main Virtual Camp page to complete the next skill station, Knots.