How to Tye Dye a Peace Sign.

Along with posting reviews, I will often be doing 'How To' posts here at Empty Veins. Today I'll be starting with How to Tye Dye a peace sign, by request from a friend of mine.

Tye-Dye is a fun way to express yourself! There is no exact same tye dye anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try! If I have learned anything from it, I've learned that trial and error is a big thing here! Inspiration and creativity should be your ultimate guide. Ok, lets get started!

As with any Tye Dye, you need to start by washing a 100% cotton shirt. It's important to get any hidden chemicals out of the shirt! I recommend rinsing twice, with no fabric softeners or anything of the kind.

While waiting for your shirt(s) to wash/rinse. Get some cardboard and draw a peace sign on it. If you have trouble drawing, use a compass to mark the intersections of the legs of the triangle with the circle by making three arcs which pass through the center point to cross the circle. Use a ruler to connect the three points from the center of the circle to the outer edge. Cut out your peace sign and set it aside.

Prepare your dye. You can buy dye for tye dyeing or you can mix your own.

Mixing your own- Mix 1/2 c. liquid dye (or 1 package powdered dye) in 1 qt. hot water. Dissolve 5 tbsp. table salt in the mixture. Let cool to room temperature.

Now that your shirt(s) have been washed and dryed. You need to soak them in Soda Ash. Soak them for about 20 minutes.

Lay your shirt(s) out in your work area. Don't forget to lay out newspaper, this can be messy!

Place your cardboard peace sign on to your shirt wherever you want it. It doesn't have to be in the center- or it can be, be creative!

Now comes the fun part. Spraying on the dye! Spray on your colors, but use caution not to spray them on to heavy. You can separate areas with rubber bands or knots on sleeves or other areas around the peace sign. Or use strings or heavy duty thread to lay out your designs.

Turn shirt over, and do the same. You can be creative with the cardboard. Hearts, Letters, whatever your mind desires.

Once done with that, let the shirt sit for another 20 minutes or so.

Now, rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. Cut away any strings or thread, or undo your knots. Rinse again. Hang out in the sun to dry and wa-laa!

I hope this helps. There are many ways to do it, but this is the way I've tried it in the past. Readers please feel free to share any tye-dyeing tips or methods!

Peace! ;)

Jezabelle xo