Tie Dye Hoodie: Cool, Easy, and Original

If you are looking for something colorful, comfy and original, then you need to give this tie dye hoodie project a try. It’s as easy as tie dyeing a shirt and can be done in almost any tie dye pattern. You will use a lot more dye (more fabric to cover), but its definitely worth it!

For this step-by-step walk through I wanted a pattern that was a bit more interesting than the traditional spiral, crumple, or bullseye techniques you see everywhere. The spider tie dye pattern is definitely original and pretty cool with the black color layer at the end. The hoodie I chose…which I am in LOVE with…is super comfy. I have also found this super soft one recently that is also great!

QUICK NOTE about using hoodies to tie dye with: If you are creating a different pattern, pay attention to the sleeves and the hood. You want them included in the pattern in such a way that when its finished, the pattern looks complete. Example: In a spiral pattern, when you start swirling the hoodie, one sleeve will naturally go with the spiral. One will not, so you will have to adjust to make it fit in.

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

FOR COMPLETE TIE DYE 101 BASICS: HOW TO TIE DYE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

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Tie Dye Hoodie

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

White Hoodie (Great adult and kids options)
Rubber Bands
Dye Kit (Which Includes Rubber Bands, Gloves, And A Plastic Sheet)
Plastic/Rubber Gloves
Plastic Covering For Work Surface
Painter’s Tape (optional)
Baking Tray With Rack (optional)
Paper Towels/Rags
Plastic Garbage Bag or Plastic Wrap

HOODIE BUYING NOTE: When you are looking for a hoodie to tie dye, you will need one that is a high cotton blend. I try to only use 75% cotton or more because the color will hold much better and be more vibrant. Here are my picks for hoodie by size (Adult Option 1 and Option 2) (Kids Sizes).

CREATING THE PATTERN

1. Start with a damp, but not wet, hoodie for this design. The hoodie could be fresh out of the washing machine. If you washed it a different day, like I usually do, then just dunk the hoodie in a bucket of water or sink and wring it out before starting.

2. Fold the hoodie in half length-wise and lay it down on the work surface.

Hoodie is folded in half lengthwise — Hoodie Is Folded In Half Lengthwise

3. Using your fingers, pinch where the center of the spiral should be and start twisting. Keep twisting while the hoodie winds up around the center.

Twisting hoodie into spiral for spider tie dye pattern — Twisting The Hoodie Into A Spiral For The Spider Tie Dye Pattern

4. Once the hoodie is completely twisted up, you’re ready to secure it with rubber bands. Place the first rubber band around the spiral by carefully sliding it under/over the hoodie and across the center of the spiral. Add the second and third rubber bands as shown below, so it resembles a 6 slice pizza and adjust if needed to evenly space them out.

Securing hoodie with rubber bands — Securing The Hoodie With Rubber Bands

DYEING THE HOODIE

Baking sheet/rack versus just a workspace covered in plastic: I have dyed MANY items on just a covered workspace. As long as you have a ton of paper towels and are careful, you will be fine. It is, however, MUCH easier and more environmentally friendly (i.e. paper towel usage) if you use a baking sheet and rack because any excess dye goes directly onto the pan, away from your item, and you barely need to use any paper towels. If you plan on tie dyeing a number of items now or in the future I strongly suggest the investment.

How much dye is needed?

For this project, I used Fuchsia, Purple, Blue, Turquoise, Lime, Yellow from Tulip’s Tie Dye Party kit, and Tulip’s Black (not shown). As a guide for figuring out how much dye you’ll need, for my hoodie I used about 4 oz of each color (28 oz of dye total).

Dyes used to tie dye hoodie — Dyes Used To Tie Dye Hoodie

5. Set your hoodie on the baking sheet/cooling rack or covered workspace and put on your gloves. Start with your lightest or weakest color which is yellow or light pink and fill in a wedge of the hoodie. Make sure to add plenty of extra dye and let it soak in, so it can get to the center. Continue to add the rest of the colors, working your way around the hoodie. TIP: If you are using the baking sheet, you can turn the sheet and not have to touch the hoodie while dyeing.

Adding dye to first side of hoodie — Adding The Dye To The First Side Of The Hoodie

6. When you have finished dyeing the first side of the hoodie, carefully turn it over. You will want to wipe up any access dye on the rack or workspace before laying it down. Repeat the dyeing process.

Adding dye to second side of hoodie — Adding The Dye To The Second Side Of The Hoodie

7. Once both sides of the hoodie have been dyed in your design colors, add black dye to the second side of the shirt (no need to flip over again). Be sure to cover the entire side in black.

Adding black dye to second side of hoodie — Adding The Black Dye To The Second Side Of The Hoodie

8. Once both sides of the hoodie have been dyed, normally I would suggest placing it in the gallon plastic bag or wrapping it in plastic wrap. Because the hoodie is so large however, carefully place it in a garbage bag (I use a plain kitchen garbage bag) or you can still wrap it in plastic wrap. Personally I prefer the plastic bag as you can easily tie/knot it, label it (if you are dyeing more than one item) and move it if needed without worrying about dye leaking out.

9. Let the hoodie sit for minimally 6-8 hours and up to 24 hours max, so the dye can cure. This will help produce the brightest colors.

RINSING AND WASHING

Once the dye has cured, it’s time to rinse and wash the hoodie. This is an important step as, if done in the wrong order or rushed, it can muddy up the nice colors and pattern you created.

10. Take the hoodie out of the plastic bag and put it in a sink or bucket (something that can get dirty and won’t stain). We have a stainless steel kitchen sink, so I use that. You can cut/take off the rubber bands and then rinse the hoodie in COLD water. The cold part is critical because it allows excess dye to wash out slowly while not dyeing the remaining white parts of the hoodie.

11. Repeat this rinse process several times until the water is fairly clear.

12. Once the water is fairly clear, repeat the rinse process once more, but with luke warm water (not HOT). This should get the last bit of excess dye out before putting it in a washing machine.

13. Once the hoodie is thoroughly rinsed, you can wash it in the washing machine either by itself or with several other rinsed tie dye items. If I’m tie dyeing a bunch of items, I will put up to 6 in one load. Wash on warm or cold with a bit of detergent.

14. Dry the item(s) in dryer or let air dry. Personally I prefer air drying as it extends the life of the dye color (as they will eventually fade a bit with washing and wear).

NOTE: Wash the hoodie by itself or with other tie dye items for the next few washings before adding it in with your other clothes.