Rosette Color-Block T-shirt

My friend Niki Meiners created this colorful dyed T-shirt for me using tie-dyeing and dip-dyeing techniques.  The blended band of color near my waist creates a belt-like effect, and the rosettes add extra pizzazz around the neckline.  Love the look!

Niki is a freelance artist and writer who is known for her high quality creations that feature a diverse mix of styles and a highly creative approach to even the smallest detail.  Visit her blog, 365 Days of Craft, and check out more of her creative craftiness!

Here's the tutorial:

SUPPLIES:

•    Rit Liquid Dye:  Cherry Red, Fuchsia, Golden Yellow

•    White 100% Cotton T-Shirt

•    1/4 Yd. White 100% Cotton Fabric for rosettes

•    2-Cup Measuring Cup & Measuring Spoons

•    Plastic Disposable Spoon for stirring dye

•    2 Shallow 8-Cup Plastic Containers for dyeing

•    Squirt Bottle (1-cup) for dyeing

•    Marking Pencil

•    10 Rubber Bands

•    Die Cut Machine, such as Sizzix or Spellbinders

•    Sizzix Bigz Die - Flower, 3-D Fringed

•    Hand Sewing Needle & Matching Thread

•    Rubber Gloves

•    Plastic Wrap

•    Paper Towels

•    Plastic Table Cover

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Prewash T-shirt and fabric for rosettes to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

2.  Cover work surface with plastic table cover.

3.  Plan the placement of three 3” diameter rosettes around the neckline.  Mark with a pencil.

4.  Pull up fabric in center of each marked rosette into a point.  Wrap 3 rubber bands tightly around each point, beginning about 3” from point and spacing bands about ½” apart.

5.  Tie-Dyeing Rosettes:  Wearing rubber gloves, shake dye bottle and measure 2 Tablespoons Cherry Red dye; add 2 cups very hot water (140° F); stir well.  Note:  If water is not hot enough, heat some water in the microwave or tea kettle.  Carefully dip each wrapped rosette into dye solution until dye is absorbed and desired color is achieved.  Remove rosette from dye solution; squeeze out excess dye and wrap plastic wrap around dyed point.  This will help to prevent the dye from dripping on the remaining white T-shirt.

6.  Gather up T-shirt about 6” from bottom edge.  Tightly wrap a rubber band around the gathered shirt.

7.  Dyeing Shirt:  Wearing rubber gloves, shake dye bottle and measure ¼ cup Fuchsia dye with 4 cups very hot water (140° F).  Pour into plastic container; stir well.  Holding shirt by plastic wrapped rosettes, dip top part of T-shirt up to rubber band in dye solution for about 2 minutes.  Move shirt around in dye solution.  Then remove shirt and squeeze out excess dye.  Leave shirt white about 1” from rubber band.   Turn shirt and dip bottom of shirt in Fuchsia dye solution for about 2 minutes.  Remove shirt and squeeze out excess dye.

8.  Lay shirt on plastic table cover.  Wearing rubber gloves, shake dye bottle and measure 2 Tablespoons Golden Yellow Dye with 1 cup very hot water.  Pour dye and water into a squirt bottle.  Apply dye about 1” on either side of lower rubber band.  This will result in a blended band of color that creates a belt-like effect.

9.  Place shirt in shallow plastic container, keeping Golden Yellow dyed area separate from Fuchsia dyed area.  Cover with plastic wrap, place in the microwave and heat on high for 2 minutes.  Remove from microwave.  Allow to cool.  Carefully remove plastic wrap from the rosettes and cut rubber bands.  Rinse shirt under cool running water, holding shirt from the Golden Yellow section, allowing the lighter color of dye to flow through to the darker dye.  When water runs clear, wash T-shirt in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry.

9.  Dyeing Rosette Fabric:  Wearing rubber gloves, measure ¼ cup Cherry Red dye with 4 cups very hot water (140° F).  Pour into plastic container; stir well.  Wet fabric in warm water; squeeze out excess water.  Immerse fabric in dye solution for 2 - 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove fabric from dye, squeeze out excess dye and rinse in cold water.  Then wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse, dry and iron.

10.  Cut 3 sets of circles (approximately 2” in diameter) using the Sizzix Bigz Die – Flower, 3-D Fringed.  Follow the manufacturer’s directions for the die cut machine.

11.  Layer the flower rosettes from largest to smallest.  Stitch the rosettes together by gathering them into a tight circle, and then stitch each rosette on the shirt.