The unique patterns and designs of tie-dye clothing were extremely famous around the ’60s. Tie-dye clothing has been seen as a symbol of expression and free spirit. After every few years, these clothing styles tend to make a comeback.

Rightfully so, tie-dye clothing is again becoming a trend, especially in the younger generation.

Tie-dye is loved not just because it looks good but also because the process of preparing it is fun. The process involves a variety of different techniques in distinctive designs. These designs include spiral design, accordion design, crumple design, ice dye, stripes, and kaleidoscope. One of the most fascinating and easy-to-do tie-dye methods is the kaleidoscope design.

Let’s get started with the process of kaleidoscope tie-dye.

What Supplies Do You Need For Kaleidoscope Tie-Dye?

It is important to have all the necessary tools for a tie-dye because the process can sometimes get messy. Some of the supplies that can help you tie-dye with little to no mess are as follows.

1. Workspace

Having a separate workspace is important because dyes can spill and leave strong marks. It is best if you perform the tie-dye process in a separate space such as the backyard. Moreover, you should also keep paper towels handy at all times.

1. Dyes

You can purchase commercial tie-dye colors from the market. If you are thinking of continuing to tie-dye, you should purchase the dyes in larger quantities. However, if you are just experimenting, you can purchase tie-dye kits that are readily available in the market and have smaller quantities of a number of colors.

1. Fabric

Natural fibers are preferred for tie-dyes. This is because synthetic fibers may not be able to absorb the dyes completely, and you may end up with a half-dyed t-shirt. So, make sure to go for 100% cotton, silk, or rayon.

1. Bands

Bands are extremely important because they hold the fabric in place while you dye it in order to make the desired pattern. Rubber bands work the best because they do not let dye penetrate through them.

The Process of Kaleidoscope Tie Dye

Now that you have everything you need for the process, let’s get into the preparation phase.

First, cover your workspace with plastic to avoid any mess. Most people prefer tie-dyeing outside because it is easier to handle. Prepare your dyes. If you have them in liquid form, place them in different containers or packets. If you have powdered dyes, take the desired quantity, and mix them in different containers.

Secondly, you must prepare your fabric for the dyeing process. If you are working with a new t-shirt, make sure to pre-wash it. New clothes are pre-washed for tie-dye because they may have chemicals or starch in them that make it harder for the dye to penetrate into the fibers.

Making the Kaleidoscope Pattern

Put your tie-dye gloves on because it’s finally time for the fun part! Fold your t-shirt vertically so that the sleeves touch each other. Then, you need to eyeball the middle point of the shirt so that the kaleidoscope “emerges” from the middle.

In order to do this, divide the t-shirt into two parts from the eyeball and fold them towards the sleeves.

By doing the above steps, you will have the t-shirt folded in the shape of a paper airplane. Flip the t-shirt over and bring the edges of the folded sections back to the center. Again, flip it over and bring the edges back towards the center.

Now, the t-shirt will form a “v” with little space between. Go ahead and fold it from the center so that there is only one side of the “v” to be seen.

Then, put rubber bands in their place, preferably around seven to eight bands. Now, it is the time for dyes. To help you understand better, we’ll be working on one “block” formed between two rubber bands.

Take a dye and make a diagonal line from the left side to the right, stopping at the center. Then, continue that line in the other way over to the next band. Continue this design for all spaces between the bands.

Now, you need to fill in the triangles formed between the two rubber bands with any dye that you want. After filling in all the colors, place your t-shirt in a plastic bag so the dye can completely penetrate into the fabric. Now, the time that you should keep it in the sun depends upon the type of color you want.

If you want vibrant colors, leave it in the sun for about a day. Otherwise, 6-8 hours are enough.

After you see the desired color, remove the t-shirt from the plastic bag and rinse it in cold water. You need to keep rinsing it until the water runs clear and you are sure that there is no extra dye left in the fabric. Once you have rinsed it, remove the rubber bands from your t-shirt.

When washing the dyed fabric items, remember that there may be little amounts of dye that would still come out, so make sure that you don’t wash it with your other clothes that can get ruined.

Conclusion

Tie-dyeing is a fun process, and you end up with a t-shirt with an amazing custom design, so it’s a win-win. Remember to take all the precautions; otherwise, you’ll have dyed your workspace. Let’s not forget to have fun during the process!