Dip Dyed 4th of July Shorts
Nothing screams summer like cut-off denim shorts and we’ve turned this pair into a 4th of July must-have! Show your love for red, white and blue by dip dyeing a pair of white denim shorts. They’re festive, cute and perfect for a backyard BBQ.
Supplies
- Rit All-Purpose Dye (We Used Cherry Red and Indigo)
- White Jean Shorts (Must Contain Less Than 40% Polyester)
- (2) Large Plastic or Stainless Steel Containers
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoons
- Salt
- Liquid Dish Detergent
- Plastic Table Cover
- Plastic Gloves
- Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
Time
Total: 1 Hour
Difficulty
Beginner
Instructions
- Pre-wash denim shorts in warm, soapy water. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
- Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
- Fill two separate plastic or stainless steel containers with 1.5 gallons of hot water in each. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
- To enhance the color, add one cup of salt to each dyebath. Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
- Wearing rubber gloves, add 1/2 cup of well-shaken All-Purpose Cherry Red dye to one container and 1/2 bottle of well-shaken All-Purpose Indigo dye to the other container. Stir well.
- Wet shorts.
- Dip the bottom 1/3 of the jean shorts into the Indigo dyebath. To prevent a straight line, keep moving jean legs and tilt them to the side so the dye colors unevenly. Jeans can remain in the dye bath for 5 minutes.
- Remove, squeeze out excess dye and rinse in cool water until the water runs clear.
- Turn the shorts over and dip the top 1/3 of the jean shorts into the Cherry Red dyebath, following the same steps above.
- Remove shorts from the dyebath. Squeeze out excess dye.
- 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.
- Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
- Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.
