#4

tie dye

Happy Friday! Summertime in Chicago is officially here and it’s time to get our wardrobes ready. It’s been a year of loving tie dye and I have no intentions of slowing down. From rescuing a matcha-stained tee to upgrading a pair of jeans, the opportunities are endless. Today I’m sharing my tie dye tips and tricks plus how I dye my items from start to finish. 

merm’s tie dye technique

1. choose

   • White, cotton items work best. I use Rit all-purpose dye on all my projects. It works on natural fabrics like cotton, wool and nylon creating super-rich colors that last. They also have a dye that works on synthetic fabrics. I haven’t used it yet but if you’re looking to dye your polyester fit that’s your move. My instructions here will apply to Rit all-purpose dye.

2. wash

   • I wash my items right before I’m about to start dying. Damp fabric gives that soft, blended look. I go right from the washing machine to the dying counter.

3. prep

   • Tie up your items to get your desired look! Places to start:

     • Spiral - the classic tie dye tee look. Twist your garment tightly in a spiral starting from the center working outwards then wrapping around any loose sleeves or hoods. Add rubber bands stretching across the spiral, about 4-6 should do the trick.

     • Scrunch - for a more natural look. Randomly scrunch your garment and add rubber bands to hold the shape - this works well on dresses, sweats and larger items. Scrunch extra tight for more white space or keep it loose for more color. 

     • Stripes - it’s in the name. Scrunch horizontally for vertical stripes or scrunch vertically for horizontal stripes. Add rubber-bands around the scrunched item where you want to break up the colors.  This looks best on socks, tees and tanks.

4. dye

   • Get your squeeze bottles and dye ready. I typically follow the instructions on the back of the bottle for the dye to water ratio but I’m a sag sooo sometimes we wing it. For deeper colors or getting extra light shades (like yellow) to pop go above the recommended dose. 

   • I use a cooling rack over a metal tray for the actual dying process. That’s the move for a mess free set up. 

   • Squeeze the dye onto the item until you reach your desired coverage. I typically go until there’s no more white space. Always flip the item over and complete both sides.

   • I recommend keeping your colors separated by your rubber-band chunks but this is your art so do you.

5. set

   • Let your item sit for 30 minutes to an hour then add on ColorStay dye fixative by Rit. This will lock in the color. Add the fixative to water in a fresh squeeze bottle. Apply to the items just as you did with the dye. I soak the shit out of my items with ColorStay. 

   • Ok. This is where things get a little weird. After applying the ColorStay, saran wrap and microwave your items for two minutes. LOL. But I’m serious, the heat sets the color. Obviously if there are any zippers, metals, etc do not microwave. I will not be held liable for that shit. You can also let items soak for 1-8 hours instead of microwaving.

   • Unwrap your items and rinse under cool-warm water. If your item is cotton, no colors should run but give it a few good rinses and wrings.

   • Pop the item into the wash on it’s own or with any similarly colored items from your batch.

You’ve made it! Your item is complete and ready to rock. For future washes, wash with like colors.

Please tag me on the gram in all your dyed creations!

BMG x MM

tie dye

More tie dye! I dyed the classic BMG hoodie and tee in the ultimate summer style. These items are now available for pre-order and you’ll receive them late June after they’re hand-dyed with love from me!

A percentage of the proceeds from this item is in support of the Center on Halsted, which is “the Midwest's most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland.”