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Time Required :
About 30 minutes
Beginner
Beginner
You're new to the skills necessary to complete this project, or maybe you've tried them just once or twice before.

heart tie-dye t-shirt

Create your own custom Valentine's Day outfit with this tie-dyed heart t-shirt.

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Print Project

Step 1

Prewash shirt in warm, soapy water to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

Step 2

Fold shirt in half lengthwise and lay on a flat surface.

Step 3

Draw half a heart at the fold in the middle of the shirt.

Step 4

Carefully pleat along the drawn line, end to end.

Step 5

Place rubber bands to secure the pleats down the length of the shirt. Set aside

Step 6

Mix 2 tablespoons of well-shaken liquid dye with two cups of hot tap water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Pour into a squirt bottle. Shake well. Repeat to create multiple colours as desired.
TIP: Protect your hands with rubber (or disposable) gloves.

Step 7

Place bound shirt on a wire rack with a tray underneath it to keep the dye from puddling under the shirt.

Step 8

Squeeze dye onto shirt in sections created by rubber bands. Flip over and repeat.

Step 9

To set the dye, do the following while the shirt is still tied:
- Apply dye fixative with a squeeze bottle, which will enhance the dyes and reduce bleeding. Mix 2 tablespoons of well-shaken dye fixative with water and apply liberally to both sides of the fabric.
- Use your microwave, as long as the fabric does not have any metal parts. After applying dye fixative, wrap the fabric in plastic wrap and seal the edges. Place the wrapped fabric on a paper towel in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Plastic will puff up, creating a heat chamber that helps bond the dye with the fabric; then remove the fabric and open the plastic, letting it cool down.
TIP: If a microwave is not available or feasible to use and it is a hot sunny day, lay the wrapped fabric out in the sun for an hour.

Step 10

Rinse in cold water until rinse water begins to run clear.
TIP: This is very important to prevent unabsorbed dye from bleeding into any white areas. If possible, rinse with the fabric bundle sitting flat on the baking rack. If it is held vertically, some of the unabsorbed dye could run into white areas.

Step 11

Carefully remove rubber bands with scissors and unfold the shirt.

Step 12

Wash in cold water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

Share your project photos with #MakeItWithMichaels

Supplies
Materials
Materials
 
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Tulip® Fine Writers Fabric Markers®

    Item # 10412200 
    Save 40% off One Regular Price Item with code 402309290 - Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $4.49
  • img
    876004993
    You’ll Need: 1

    Soft Crew Neck Adult Unisex T-Shirt by Make Market®

    Item # 10684412 
    $9
    $9.99
    • Color: White
    • Size: XXX-Large
    • Color: White
    • Size: XXX-Large
    +More Colors,
    Sizes
    • Color: White
    • Size: XXX-Large
    +More Colors,
    Sizes
    +More Options
 
Tools
Tools
 
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Loops & Threads™ Straight Scissors

    Item # 10454201 
    Save 40% off One Regular Price Item with code 402309290 - Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $9.99
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Squeeze Bottles by Celebrate It®

    Item # 10114058 
    Save 40% off One Regular Price Item with code 402309290 - Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $4.49
 
You’ll Also Need
  • Rubber Bands
  • Measuring Cup
  • Measuring Spoon
  • Wire Rack
  • Tray
  • Paper Towels
  • Dish Detergent
  • Salt
  • Rubber (or Disposable) Gloves
  • Microwave
  • Plastic wrap
  • 1 - Plastic Table Cover by Celebrate It™ (10329763)
Instructions
Step 1

Prewash shirt in warm, soapy water to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

Step 2

Fold shirt in half lengthwise and lay on a flat surface.

Step 3

Draw half a heart at the fold in the middle of the shirt.

Step 4

Carefully pleat along the drawn line, end to end.

Step 5

Place rubber bands to secure the pleats down the length of the shirt. Set aside

Step 6

Mix 2 tablespoons of well-shaken liquid dye with two cups of hot tap water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Pour into a squirt bottle. Shake well. Repeat to create multiple colours as desired.
TIP: Protect your hands with rubber (or disposable) gloves.

Step 7

Place bound shirt on a wire rack with a tray underneath it to keep the dye from puddling under the shirt.

Step 8

Squeeze dye onto shirt in sections created by rubber bands. Flip over and repeat.

Step 9

To set the dye, do the following while the shirt is still tied:
- Apply dye fixative with a squeeze bottle, which will enhance the dyes and reduce bleeding. Mix 2 tablespoons of well-shaken dye fixative with water and apply liberally to both sides of the fabric.
- Use your microwave, as long as the fabric does not have any metal parts. After applying dye fixative, wrap the fabric in plastic wrap and seal the edges. Place the wrapped fabric on a paper towel in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Plastic will puff up, creating a heat chamber that helps bond the dye with the fabric; then remove the fabric and open the plastic, letting it cool down.
TIP: If a microwave is not available or feasible to use and it is a hot sunny day, lay the wrapped fabric out in the sun for an hour.

Step 10

Rinse in cold water until rinse water begins to run clear.
TIP: This is very important to prevent unabsorbed dye from bleeding into any white areas. If possible, rinse with the fabric bundle sitting flat on the baking rack. If it is held vertically, some of the unabsorbed dye could run into white areas.

Step 11

Carefully remove rubber bands with scissors and unfold the shirt.

Step 12

Wash in cold water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

Share your project photos with #MakeItWithMichaels

Project Reviews