Upcycled Tie-Dye Band Tee: A DIY Guide

Everyone has a few old T-shirts tucked away in their closet that hold sentimental value, but have seen better days. Why not breathe new life into an old band tee by giving it an upcycled tie-dye makeover? This step-by-step tutorial from Oh Yay Studio will show you how to transform a once-dingy shirt into a vibrant and wearable piece using the Tulip Fashion Flashback One-Step Tie-Dye Kit.

What you need:

Tulip Fashion Flashback One-Step Tie-Dye Kit

Old white or light-colored band tee

Plastic surface cover

Wire rack (optional)

Step 1 Prewash tee and prepare dye

Before diving into the upcycling process, prewash and dry the white or light-colored band tee you'll be tie dyeing. Choose your preferred colors and prepare the tie-dye solutions according to package instructions.

Step 2 Tie tee into selected tie-dye technique

Select the folding technique you'll use for this upcycled project. For this tutorial, we're using the simple crumple tie-dye technique—scrunch the fabric into a crumpled mound and secure it with rubber bands.

Step 3 Apply dye to tee and let set

Place your project on a wire rack or protected work surface. Wearing the gloves included in the Tulip Fashion Flashback One-Step Tie-Dye Kit, apply the dye to the band tee. Remember to flip over the scrunched fabric and apply dye to the backside as well. Place the shirt in a sealed bag or cover it with plastic to keep damp while the dye sets, allowing it to set for 6 to 8 hours or overnight for more intense colors.

Step 4 Remove rubber bands and reveal!

Once the dye has set, remove the rubber bands and launder the shirt according to package instructions. Your upcycled tie-dye band tee is now ready to be shown off!

Share your upcycled creations with Tulip by tagging them on social media @TulipColorCrafts!