DIY Patriotic Ombre Tie Dye T-Shirts

As part of a sponsored campaign with Jo-Ann stores, the boys and I just had our first “tie-dye” experience! We made patriotic ombre tie dye shirts! As part of the #SummerofJoann campaign, we were asked to look through the spring/summer catalog and choose a craft to do. We finally settled on this blue ombre tie dye shirt. The plain blue was nice, but I wanted to take things a step further and make it patriotic! While the ombre effect isn’t  overwhelming, I think they came out pretty well—especially for our first try and with little hands helping do all the work!We whipped 3 up in less than 30 minutes (minus drying time), so there is definitely still time for you to get these made for the 4^th of July! Here’s how to make your own:

SUPPLIES:

• Kids Camp® Fabric Tie-Dye Kit Pool Party
• White 100% cotton T-shirt
• Plastic table cover
• 4-5″ wide disposable paintbrush
• Water bowl
• Washer/dryer

DIRECTIONS:

For best results, please read all instructions before beginning project. Refer to photo for color and design placement.

1. Wash T-shirt and leave damp. Lay out flat on work surface covered with plastic table cover.
2. Mix blue & red dye according to package instructions. Apply blue dye to neck and shoulders of T-shirt. Use wide paintbrush dipped in water bowl to blend dye downward, moving color from dark at the top of shirt to light at the bottom. Add more dye or re-wet brush as needed to achieve desired color blending. Stop about halfway down the shirt to leave some area white. 3. Repeat the process with the red dye, but start with the red dye at the bottom of the shirt.  Let shirt set 6-8 hours or overnight. 4. Rinse shirt under cool running water to remove excess dye. Wash and dry shirt according to dye package instructions.

Pretty fun, right?!

*Tips:

-the directions say to use 100% cotton, which I didn’t notice and bought the least expensive shirts I could find at Joann’s, which of course are 60% cotton & 40% polyester. A lot of dye did rinse out the next morning, but they still came out great!! Maybe a little lighter than they would have been had we used all cotton, but still fine!

– Because you are using wet brushes to move the color (and the shirts are damp), the dye will continue to run as they dry out. So, leave the section of white bigger than you want. I didn’t think of that, so the white section is a bit small (and basically non-existent on the little onesie. In fact, the onesie looks a bit purplish in spots), but again, I think they still look fine. Certainly fine for some fun outdoor playtime on the 4th of July! The boys are SO excited about them! The shirts are a great, inexpensive craft, perfect for wearing to any 4^th of July festivities! We’ll be celebrating in Nebraska this year at a family reunion and can’t wait! 

So, what do you think?! Would YOUR kiddos enjoy some patriotic tie-dye shirts?

If you want to make your own, be sure to Sign up here to become a preferred Jo-Ann customer and get a 20% off coupon good on your next shopping trip!!

Disclosure: I was provided with a Jo-Ann gift card to purchase craft supplies. The patriotic idea, all opinions and experiences are entirely my own!