How to Make a Tie-Dye Shirt (Using Chalk Paint)

I am going to show you how to make a tie-dye shirt with chalk paint. Hear me out… I have had paint stained clothes for years now and I consider myself an expert at staining my clothes with paint. Now I am just doing it on purpose! I have used this tie-dye technique on sweatshirts, kitchen towels, cotton blankets, and even baby onsies. Tie-Dye with chalk paint is a beautiful look. Be sure to share your photos with me in the comments!

• Debi’s Design Diary DIY paint Or your favorite chalk based paint
• Condiment bottles with pointed tips (mine are from the Dollar Tree)
• Rubberbands
• Trash bag or Dollar Tree Shower Curtain
• Water
• Salt (regular ole salt)
• White Distilled Vinegar
• Sunshine

I start my tie-dye shirt process by choosing my color scheme. I love unique color combinations! I used Debi’s Design Diary DIY Paint. It’s one of my favorites! I used Kissing booth, Blue Iris, Cowgirl Coral and Old 57.

Next lay a Dollar Tree shower curtain down over your work space to catch any spills and also to be able to sop up any spilled tie-dye chalk paint mixture with your project. So it won’t be wasted.

Take one part paint to two parts water. I try to fill half of my condiment bottle. I Add about 1 cup of salt to 4 cups of your very warm but not boiling water. Then add some of this mix in each condiment bottle 2 for $1 at the Dollar Tree). Then I add in my paint. I usually eyeball the amount of Chalk Paint and add a bit more for the lighter colors.

The next step in tie-dyeing shirts with chalk paint is to tie it up. I use rubber bands to make my lines when I tie dye. It’s makes it easy.

I gather random area’s and I try to be strategic with my patterns. For instance, I will select the area that I want to highlight with color, gather a small amount of material and wrap a rubber band tightly. Now when I add my color this will have a distinct pattern. I do this randomly on the front and back of my tie dye shirts or any fabric that I am using this method with.

I practiced first on flour sacks and then moved to tie-dyeing shirts with chalk paint. Now I will dye anything in my house that is white or faded!

I start adding my chalk paint dye to the shirt or fabric in the areas that I have placed my rubberbands. I will alternate the colors used in the ends and then move backwards into the main open areas. I try to choose colors that will blend well together (like blue and yellow to make green) to lay in beside each other.

Isn’t this a beautiful color combo?!?!?!?

I let the tie-dye chalk paint mixture start to dry and when it is not dripping wet any longer I will un-band it and hang it outside in the sun to dry and “heat set”. I always wait at least 24 hours.

When I feel that it’s stained and my color is set in, I will spray on white distilled vinegar from my Dollar Tree spray bottle and let it sit in the sun for another 2 or so hours.

Now it’s ready to be rinsed and washed. I will dip my shirt in a warm salt water bath. 1 cup salt to 4 cups of water. Just a quick dip and ring out, then I will put it in the washer by itself on a speed wash, low spin with All Free and Clear laundry detergent.

Voila! I love every tie-dye shirt with chalk paint that I have made for myself and Gigi!

If you have some leftover paint from a project around the house and you want to use it up. My friend Melanie with Southern Crush at home has a fun and easy How to make your own chalk paint recipe for you here.

Tie-Dye using chalk paint? It's a fun and easy way to personalize your clothes using what you already have.

• 1 part Chalk Paint
• 2 parts salt water

1. Mix 1 cup of salt into 4 cups of warm but not boiling water

2. Pour 1 cup salt water mixture into condiment bottles

3. Add 1/4 cup Chalk Paint to the warm salt water mixture

4. Shake vigorously

5. Band shirt in desired areas

6. Add the colored mixture to your shirt

7. Let it get dry enough to not drip and unband

8. Hang in the sun to dry and leave hanging overnight

9. Add Distilled white vinegar to a Dollar Tree Spray Bottle

10. Spray generously over shirt front and back (while it is hanging and not laying it flat)

11. Leave for at least 2 hours

12. Dip in a warm salt water bath (1 part salt to 4 parts water)

13. Wash on low spin, cold with All free and clear laundry detergent