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The Perfect Swirl: 4th of July Tie Dye Guide
We’re going to be celebrating #ThrowbackThursday by going back to the ’60’s with a tie dye DIY to get you ready for the 4th of July. It’s so fun, we can’t help but make corny rhymes about it. Our friend, Alexis Murphy shows you how to create a perfect red, white, and blue swirl just in time for fireworks and BBQ. One of our favorite 4th of July traditions is tie dying. We do it every year and I have to admit, we have perfected The Swirl! It is a lot easier than you might think.
You will need: pre-washed cotton t-shirts, permanent dye, rubber bands, a clothespin (or your fingers).
Spread out your shirt, and with the clothes pin or your fingers, pinch where you would like the swirl to start. Then gently twist in a circular motion until the entire shirt swirls.
Take a rubber band (or a piece of string if you have a large shirt) and place it around the circumference to keep it intact.
Then place a few rubber bands across the diameter.
Prepare your red and blue dye baths according to package instructions.
And dip in one side (be careful, if your shirt is dry, the die will seep up, so just watch to make sure it doesn't go too high, you want there to be a strip of white around where the rubber bands are,wet shirts will not bleed as much). This is just about the perfect amount of white, about an inch below the rubber band.
Keep in dye until desired color is achieved (the longer the better) and gently squeeze out any access and let dry a few minutes before dipping in other side.
I like to let the shirts sit for a few hours to really set in before rinsing under cold water until water runs clear (do one side at a time so the colors don't mix).
Then the real fun begins! The big reveal is so exciting, at first it doesn't look like much, but as you unwrap.
It comes to life...
And Ta-Da!
On the 4th, there is no better compliment to your perfect swirl than another perfect swirl.
But don't worry, your shirt matches any varietal. Machine wash shirts separately in cold water. Cheers to the Red, White and Blue.
