Tie Dye Onesies: Cutest DIY Gifts & Sibling Shirts To Match

Looking for a special and unique baby gift? Or perhaps you’re looking for a fun project for your kids. These tie dye onesies (bodysuits) are colorful, easy to make and more unique than anything you can buy in the store.
As someone who has 2 daughters and 2 nephews (this project was for the younger nephew), I also created matching sibling shirts. Who doesn’t like to match OR be left out? Since the focus was on the nephew-to-be and therefore the onesies, I only created 2 sibling shirts, but you can do more or different patterns.
The patterns I chose were some of the most popular and easy for such a small item as a onesie. This does NOT mean, however, that you cannot try other patterns. For more patterns, check out: 14 Tie Dye Patterns Everyone Can Create.
Ready to create some super cute stuff? Let’s do it!
FOR COMPLETE TIE DYE 101 BASICS: HOW TO TIE DYE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Tie Dye Onesies
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- Onesies
- Sibling Shirts
- Dye Kit (Which Includes Rubber Bands, Gloves, And A Plastic Sheet)
- Rubber Bands
- Plastic/Rubber Gloves
- Plastic Covering For Work Surface
- Painter’s Tape (optional)
- Baking Tray With Rack (Optional)
- Paper Towels/Rags
- Gallon Plastic Bag or Plastic Wrap
- Washable Marker for the heart pattern (I like to use my kids’ Crayola Washable Markers)
NOTE: 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 hat, 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.
CREATING Tie Dye PATTERNS & DYEING ONESIES (And Sibling Shirts)
For the first 3 designs, start with a damp, but not wet onesie. The onesie could be fresh out of the washing machine. If you washed it on a different day, like I usually do, then just dunk it in a bucket of water or sink and wring it out before starting.
NOTE ABOUT SIBLING SHIRTS: For any of these designs you could create a sibling shirt as well with the same steps. I created 2 sibling shirts for this particular gift and I will point them out as we get to them. I prefer to dye them at the same time so they match (same dyes, similar amounts).
Spiral Pattern
1. Lay the onesie flat on your work surface. Using your fingers, pinch where the center of the spiral should be and start twisting (where their chest is, not the middle of the onesie). Keep twisting while the onesie winds up around the center.

2. Secure the onesie with rubber bands. Place the first rubber band around the spiral by carefully sliding it under/over and across the center of the spiral. Add the second and third rubber bands as shown below, so it resembles a 6 slice pizza. Don’t worry if it looks a bit messy. We’ll fix that in the next step.

3. Once you have the 3 rubber bands on, now is the time to adjust them, so that they are evenly spaced around the onesie. You can also tuck any loose ends into the rubber bands, so the circle shape is nice and tight. Add a fourth rubber band around it to keep the circle shape.

4. Set the onesie (and sibling shirt) 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. Make sure to add 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 each. TIP: If you are using the baking sheet, you can turn the sheet and not have to touch them while dyeing.

5. When you have finished dyeing the first side of the onesie and shirt, carefully turn them over. You will want to wipe up any access dye on the rack or workspace before laying them down. Repeat the dyeing process starting with the lightest color again.

Crumple Pattern
1. Lay the onesie flat on the work surface. Using your fingers, start to scrunch the onesie together in the center. Continue to gather it together towards the center until you have a crumpled circle of a onesie.

2. Place the first rubber band around the crumpled pattern by carefully sliding it under/over the onesie and across the center. Add the second, third, and fourth rubber bands as shown below, so it resembles a 8 slice pizza. Don’t worry if it looks a bit messy. We’ll fix that in the next step.

3. Once you have the 4 rubber bands on, now is the time to adjust them, so that they are evenly spaced around the onesie. You can also tuck any loose ends into the rubber bands, so the circle shape is nice and tight. Add a final rubber band around the sides of the onesie to hold everything in place.

4. Set your onesie on the baking sheet/cooling rack or covered workspace and put on your gloves. Typically, start with your lightest or weakest color which is yellow or light pink and create spots all over the shirt. In this instance, though, I just wanted the yellow to help blend to make some nice greens, so I added it later. Make sure to add extra dye and let it soak in, so it can get to the center of the shirt. Continue to add the rest of the colors, working your way around the onesie. I chose to add 4 colors total, but you can use more or less. TIP: If you are using the baking sheet, you can turn the sheet as you work, so you do not have to touch the shirt while dyeing.

Bullseye Pattern
1. Lay the onesie flat on your work surface. Using your fingers, pinch where the center of the bullseye design should be and pick the onesie up. Remember that if you want it centered, aim for the center of their chest, not the center of the onesie.

2. Wrap your first rubber band securely around the center of the bullseye.

3. Continue to create additional rings down the onesie (and sibling shirt – OPTIONAL) with rubber bands until you have reached the end of the onesie.

4. Set your items on the baking sheet/cooling rack or covered workspace and put on your gloves. Start with the color of the center of the bullseye and add the dye to the end (where you put the first rubber band). Make sure to add extra dye and let it soak in, so it can get to the center of the onesie/shirt. Turn the onesie/shirt when needed to cover the entire tip. Continue adding color to each ring until the onesie/shirt is completely dyed.

Heart Pattern
For this pattern, start with a dry onesie, so you can draw the heart with the marker.
1. Fold the onesie in half length-wise and lay it down on the work surface. Using the washable marker, draw the half of a heart in the center of it.

2. Gather the onesie along the line of the heart. Once I have it completely gathered up I like to make the starting and ending points of the heart touch. That way it will be easier to wrap the rubber band around the marker line.

3. Take your first rubber band and wrap it around the marker line several times (so its tight). After the rubber band is on, you can adjust the marker line, if needed, in case it moved.

4. Add a second rubber band to the onesie to create a ring around the heart pattern. Continue to create additional rings down the onesie with rubber bands until you have reached the end of it.

5. Now is the time to make the onesie damp. Since the rubber bands are already in place, if the marker starts to wash off it will be fine. Dunk it in a bucket of water or sink and wring it out before starting to dye.
6. Set your onesie on the baking sheet/cooling rack or covered workspace and put on your gloves. Start with the color of your heart and add the dye to the end with the marker heart pattern. Make sure to add extra dye and let it soak in, so it can get to the center of the onesie. Turn the onesie when needed to cover the entire tip. Continue adding color to each ring until the onesie is completely dyed. Be sure to turn the onesie when needed and also let extra dye soak in.

Chevron Pattern
For this pattern, start with a dry onesie, so you can draw the chevron lines with the marker.
1. Lay the onesie flat on your work surface, front side down. Fold the shirt in half vertically (A). Fold the top half of the onesie back over about half way (B). Fold the sleeve back until its folded on top of the body (C).

2. Gently flip the onesie over, keeping the one side folded. Repeat the folding from step 1 on the second half of the onesie.

3. Once the onesie is folded, it’s time to add the lines as guides for the rubber bands. Using a ruler or just free hand, draw lines with your marker at an angle. Be sure to keep them evenly spaced and on same angle. NOTE: You can create as many or as few lines as you like. This will determine the number of zig zags you will get.

4. Starting at one end, wrap each line in a rubber band. Be sure to try to keep the rubber band on the line that is on an angle. This will create the chevron pattern that you are looking for (and not just stripes).

5. Continue wrapping each line with rubber bands until you have reached the end of the onesie.

6. Prior to dyeing, grab a piece of paper towel and, on the plastic or tray, play with the order of the dye colors. This is a good opportunity to adjust before its permanent. For example, I was going to use the order on the bottom and then realized that the yellow would be on the crotch of the onesie. Not very appealing! So, I moved it to the center and used the order on the top.

7. Start with the lightest or weakest color (pink in this instance) and add the dye to that ring. Make sure to add extra dye and let it soak in, so it can get to the center of the onesie. Turn the onesie when needed to cover. Continue adding color to each ring until the onesie is completely dyed.
Placing In Plastic Bag To Cure
This applies to all patterns. Once each of the onesies/shirts have been dyed, carefully place it in the gallon plastic bag or wrap it in plastic wrap. Personally I prefer the plastic bag as you can easily seal it, label it (if you are dyeing more than one item) and move it if needed without worrying about dye leaking out.
RINSING AND WASHING
Let the onesie/shirt sit for minimally 6-8 hours and up to 24 hours max for any of the patterns, so the dye can cure. This will help produce the brightest colors. Once the dye has cured, it’s time to rinse and wash the onesie/shirt. 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. AND RINSE EACH ONESIE AND SHIRT SEPARATELY. It takes more time than trying to rinse a bunch at once, but it will be worth the effort. Once rinsed, they can be washed together (see below).
A. Place the onesie/shirt 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. Rinse the onesie/shirt in COLD water. The cold part is critical because it allows excess dye to wash out slowly while not moving dye to other parts of the onesie/shirt.
B. Repeat this rinse process several times until the water is fairly clear.
C. 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.
D. Once the onesie/shirt 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.
Drying The Tie Dyed Items
E. Dry the onesies (and shirts) in the dryer or let it 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). If you do need to dry them in the dryer, use the cool/no heat setting.
NOTE: Wash the onesies and shirts by themselves or with other tie dye items for the next few washings before adding it in with your other clothes. (And if this is a GIFT, be sure to tell the recipient that as well).
And here we are! 5 super colorful and cute tie dye onesies with 2 matching sibling shirts. They were a hit at the baby shower. I hope yours are equally well received! Happy tie dyeing!


