How to Tie-Dye a Spirit Shirt in Team Colors

Pick a fold that suits the look you want, then plan where each color will go before opening the dye. Leave some fabric undyed if you want the colors to stay visually distinct.

Choose a shirt and gather supplies

A white or light-colored cotton shirt gives the dye a clear base. For the most predictable result, choose a shirt that is 100% cotton; some synthetic fibers may take dye differently. Check the garment label before starting. A prewashed shirt can help remove finishes that may affect how evenly the dye reaches the fabric, but follow the dye kit’s preparation instructions.

Gather the shirt, a tie-dye kit, rubber bands or string, disposable gloves, and any mixing or application tools the kit requires. Keep a clean plastic bag or other kit-approved covering nearby if the directions call for covering the shirt while the dye sets. Read the full instructions before mixing anything so you know what materials and steps the kit requires.

• Use a shirt with enough room to fold and secure the fabric.
• Set aside an old towel or other washable cloth for drips.
• Keep clean water and laundry supplies ready for the rinse and wash steps.

Plan two colors that stay distinct

Before applying dye, decide which areas will get each color. Colors that run into each other can blend, and some combinations may look dull or muddy where they meet. To reduce that effect, keep the two colors on separate sections of the shirt, use a narrow undyed channel between them, or put the meeting point in a small, controlled area.

Think about how the colors will look on the shirt’s light fabric as well as where they touch. If you want a clear two-color design, avoid soaking the same section with both dyes. Use separate applicators when possible, and apply only the amount the kit directions recommend. Dye can spread through damp fabric, so leave space between colors rather than assuming a fold will stop all movement.

For a design with more blending, place the colors next to each other and allow a little overlap. For a sharper split, keep them apart and preserve some white fabric between sections. Either approach works; the key is choosing the effect before you start.

Fold a pattern

For a spiral, lay the shirt flat and pinch a point near the center. Turn the fabric around that point so the shirt gathers into a flat spiral shape. Secure the bundle with rubber bands crossing over it. The sections created by the bands give you places to apply the two colors.

For stripes, fold the shirt back and forth like an accordion, keeping the folds parallel. Secure it with bands placed across the folded shirt. Apply one color to one side or set of sections and the other color to the remaining sections. More frequent folds create more repeated bands in the finished pattern.

For a bullseye, pinch the fabric where you want the center of the design. Pull that point upward into a long cone, then wrap rubber bands down the cone at intervals. Apply one color near the pinched center and the other to the surrounding sections, or reverse that placement. Tight folds and bands make more defined sections, while looser folds allow more color movement.

Prepare the work area safely

Work on a covered, level surface that can be cleaned easily. Keep dye away from food, dishes, and surfaces used to prepare meals. Put on gloves before handling dye, and use any additional protective equipment listed in the kit directions. Follow the kit’s instructions for mixing, measuring, and handling the dye; do not substitute steps or containers without checking those directions.

Arrange the folded shirt so it can stay in place while you apply the colors. Keep the color containers upright and within reach, but away from the edge of the work surface. If the kit recommends a particular way to cover or store the shirt during setting, have that material ready before applying dye. Check your school’s dress code if you plan to wear the finished shirt to a school event.

Apply the dye with control

Follow the kit directions for preparing the shirt and dye. Some kits specify whether the fabric should be damp or dry, so use that guidance rather than guessing. Apply each color to the sections you planned, working slowly and turning the bundle as needed to reach the areas you want colored.

Keep the applicators for the two colors separate. Avoid flooding the fabric, especially along the boundary between colors, because excess liquid can travel through folds and combine the dyes. If the pattern has a white channel, leave that area untouched. Check both sides of the shirt for missed sections, but do not add more dye than needed to cover the intended areas.

When you finish, secure the shirt for setting only as directed by the kit. Keep it away from other laundry and surfaces that could be stained. Remove your gloves carefully, and clean the work area using the cleanup steps provided with the kit.

Set, rinse, and wash the shirt

Let the dye set for the amount of time and under the conditions stated in the kit instructions. Dye products differ, so do not rely on a general time from another project. Keep the shirt bundled or covered if the kit calls for it, and avoid opening or rinsing it early.

After setting, rinse the shirt exactly as directed. Keep rinsing until you reach the point described in the kit instructions, and take care not to let the runoff stain nearby surfaces or clothing. Remove the rubber bands when the directions say to do so, then wash the shirt separately from other garments. Use the water temperature and washing steps specified by the kit and garment label.

Dry the shirt according to the garment label and kit directions. Wash it separately again if the dye instructions recommend doing so. Once it is clean and dry, check the colors and pattern before wearing it. For future washes, follow the care guidance on the shirt label and any continuing instructions supplied with the dye.