Dip Dyed

This project is best for schools with one or two colors. 

1. Prewash sweatshirt in warm, soapy water. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
2. Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
3. Fill a plastic container or stainless steel sink with three gallons of hot water. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
4. To enhance the color, add one cup of salt. Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
5. Wearing rubber gloves, add 1/2 bottle of well-shaken dye.
6. If your school has a second color, prepare a second dyebath following the same steps as above.
7. Wet sweatshirt.
8. Wrap two-thirds of the sweatshirt around a hanger or dowel rod.
9. Begin to dip the sweatshirt slowly up and down and back and forth. To prevent a straight line, keep moving the sweatshirt and tilt it to the side so the dye colors unevenly. Sweatshirt can remain in the dye bath for 20 – 30 minutes.
10. Remove sweatshirt from the dyebath. Squeeze out excess dye.
11. If you are going to dye the sweatshirt in a second color, wrap the dyed side of the sweatshirt around a hanger or dowel rod and dye and follow the same steps as above.
12. We strongly recommend using Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing. It enhances the color, increases color retention and prevents dye from bleeding into white areas. Lay one side of the sweatshirt on the side of the bath and let it soak for 15 minutes. Do not let the bath touch any white section. Repeat if there is a second color.
13. Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
14. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

Tie Dyed

This project was done with a single color. If you are looking to apply multiple colors, you will need squeeze bottles. Follow the spiral tie dye instructions here. 

1. Prewash sweatshirt in warm, soapy water. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
2. Lay sheets out on a flat surface.
3. Decide where to place the center of the spiral. Then position your fingers around the center point and slowly begin to twist fabric in a spiral direction.
4. Loosely wrap rubber bands around fabric to hold spiral together.
5. Now it is time to create your dyebath.
6. Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
7. Fill a plastic container with three gallons of hot water. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
8. To enhance the color: add one cup of salt when dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie or linen.
9. Wearing rubber gloves, add 1/2 bottle of well-shaken dye to dyebath.
10. Wet sweatshirt.
11. Immerse your wrapped sweatshirt in the dyebath for 10 to 20 minutes, no more than 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Please note that fabric will look darker when wet and will dry lighter.
12. When desired color is achieved, remove wrapped fabric from the dyebath. Squeeze out excess dye. Do not remove rubber bands. 
13. We strongly recommend using Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing. It enhances the color, increases color retention and prevents dye from bleeding into white areas. Follow these instructions.
14. Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
15. Carefully remove rubber bands with a scissors and unfold the fabric.
16. Wash in cool water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

Solid Dyed

1. Prewash sweatshirt in warm, soapy water. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
2. Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
3. Fill a plastic container with three gallons of hot water. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
4. To enhance the color: add one cup of salt when dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie or linen.
5. Wearing rubber gloves, add 1/2 bottle of well-shaken dye to dyebath.
6. Wet sweatshirt.
7. Immerse your sweatshirt in the dyebath. Stir consistent for 10 to 20 minutes, no more than 30 minutes. Please note that fabric will look darker when wet and will dry lighter.
8. When desired color is achieved, remove wrapped fabric from the dyebath. Squeeze out excess dye.
9. We strongly recommend using Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing. It enhances the color and increases color retention. Follow these instructions.
10. Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
11. Wash in cool water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.