We've put together the ultimate resource guide to tie dyeing clothing for your dolls! We cover everything from choosing fabrics to folding techniques, and lots of other helpful tips. We've even included a few bonus pattern hacks!
Giveaway Alert! We're giving away one Tulip® 12-Color Tie-Dye Kit!
To enter the limited-time contest, be sure to scroll to the end of the post to leave a comment about which tie dye method is your favorite.
Choosing Fabric
Tie dyeing or other at-home dyeing works best with fabrics made from natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or rayon. This is because natural fibers are more absorbent than synthetic materials, which are more likely to just repel the dye. For the examples in this post we have used woven rayon, an upcycled cotton jersey t-shirt, and a cotton spandex blend knit.
Choosing Dyes
For this project we experimented with dyes from a Tulip Tie Dye Kit, as well as Rit® all-purpose liquid dye. For the Rit® dye option we followed this tutorial where they explain how to mix their liquid dye for tie dyeing with the squirt bottle method.
The crumple method is an easy tie dyeing technique to begin with because it relies on randomness for it's neat pattern, so it's hard to get wrong! This technique is great for a finished garment, as well as a cut piece of fabric, as shown above.
For the crumple method:
The spiral method is a classic tie dye look. For a doll-sized spiral, it's important to note that what might seem like a small amount of white space left undyed could look like a lot of white space on the doll. For a more defined spiral, be sure the dyes soak all the way in to the fabric and in every fold.
For the spiral method:
Get the Pattern:
123 Mulberry Street Hoodie Dress
Get the look: Use the Hoodie length variation with no band. Add two holes to the center front on the hem and feed a cotton twill drawstring through the hem to create a drawstring hoodie.
Shibori is the name for traditional Japanese tie dye using indigo. If you are looking to read more about shibori and see more traditional tie dye techniques, this article from Heddels is an interesting read.
For the Shibori-Inspired Method:
Get the Pattern:
Liberty Jane Free T-Shirt Pattern For 14.5" dolls.
Get the look: Add about 4-inches of length to the hem to create a fun and trendy t-shirt dress.
This method is similar to the one shown above, but it is applied to one cut piece of fabric rather than a garment. The effect is a kind of ombre stripe that we think would make a great dress for any doll.
For the Shibori-Inspired Method For Fabric Yardage
Similar to the method above, the shibori-inspired technique we used for these pants is super simple and creates a casual and carefree look.
For this version of the Shibori-Inspired Method:
Get the pattern:
Liberty Jane Drawstring Shorts
Get the look: Add length to the hem to make cute and comfy drawstring pants. Get access to the full tutorial for this project in Sewing With Cinnamon. This month our topic is Sewing the Themed Wardrobe: So-Cal Style!
The accordion fold tie dyeing technique creates a beautiful stripe pattern that is perfect for a more sophisticated tie dye look. Tip: the smaller you make your folds, the more intricate the pattern will look. You can also fold in a different direction other than a diagonal line to create your own unique look.
The other method we used for this example was an ombre effect created by applying one layer of dye to the entire garment, then a second layer to the top 2/3 of the folded piece, then a final third layer to the top 1/3 of the piece. This created a subtle gradient affect that is easy to achieve.
For the accordion fold method:
Get the Pattern:
Liberty Jane Lightning Ridge Top
Waiting, Rinsing, and Drying
For drying times and methods, it's best to follow the instructions on your dye kit. Our kit recommended to wrap the piece in plastic and let the fabric sit for 6-8 hours. Then, rinse the piece well until the water runs mostly clear. We also hand washed the pieces with clear detergent to make sure all the excess dye was removed, then ran through the tumble dryer for 20-30 minutes.
Washing and drying the doll size pieces helps to give them a great warn-in look and softer feel- just like you want with tie dye pieces!
WARNING: Once your garments are ready for wear, be careful not to leave the dolls dressed in the dyed pieces for too long at one time, as it is possible some excess dye will stain the vinyl skin.
The possibilities are endless...
This example shows the 123 Mulberry St. Hoodie Pattern For 14.5-inch dolls made using the same drawstring hem method mentioned above. We used the spiral method and applied blue and purple dye. For the trendy biker shorts, we made the Liberty Jane leggings pattern as a shorts length, then dyed using the crumple method.
For an easy sweatpants pattern hack, here we made the basic pants pattern from Liberty Jane, adding a drawstring through the waistband rather than elastic, and adding elastic bands at the hem of each leg. These were dyed using the crumple method and make such a cute matching set with our drawstring hoodie!
ENTER TO WIN A Tulip® DIY Tie Dying Kit
To enter this week's contest, simply click the link below and then enter through the giveaway widget at the bottom of the blog post, there are many things you can do to earn multiple entry points!
Contest Details: You enter through the entry form that is embedded on this page and appears just below this paragraph, if you don't see it, be sure to visit the page from your desktop or an alternate browser such as Google Chrome. It may not appear on all mobile devices. The complete rules and entry details appear on the entry form. This is not a comment contest - in other words, leaving a comment on the bottom of this page is not an official entry method. The only required entry method is to leave a comment under this post and then confirm that you did it in the contest widget. One person will receive the tie Dye Kit. You can enter once, or gain multiple entries by completing the other entry methods and increase your chances of winning. Please review all Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page before entering. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire. Not endorsed by or affiliated with Tulip®.
We'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us - which tie dye method is your favorite! Commenting below and confirming your entry in the widget above gives you one entry method, the other methods are listed in the widget above, be sure to enter in as many ways as you can to receive the maximum amount of entries to win one Tulip® 12-Color Tie Dye Kit!
Thanks, everyone!
The Pixie Faire Team
I have always loved the spiral, but have never tried it myself. I might have to…
I would love to try the spiral method.
I haven’t done any tie-dye since the late 1960s. This would be fun to create a retro look for my dolls. but i bet i will be just as messy with it now as I was back then!
I prefer the look of the results of the crumple method.
I really like the look of the crumple dye method on the hoodie set! Looks like fun! Thanks
I can’t wait to give this a try. The spiral method looks good!
If u wait long enough everything is in style again I have not done this in 40 years
Looks cool! Thanks!
I would love to try the ombré effect under the accordion method!
I have only tried the rubber band method. Willing to experiment with other methods though. Thanks for your giveaways.
Thanks for doing this. My 4-H kids LOVE to tie dye, but I never thought about doing it with doll clothes. We’ve done every style you listed in your guide, AND even tried tying with chopsticks! Again, thanks for this idea.
The spiral method!
The spiral method!
I can’t wait to give this a try, I remember doing tye dye as a kid.
i think it would be fun to do tie dye!
I like the Shibori-Inspired method.
The spiral, I love the traditional tie dye look!
I’ve always been partial to the spiral tie dye patterns, but I’m thinking I might have to try the shibori inspired method. I’m starting to do up a wardrobe for a rescued Julie that I want to give my daughter for her birthday, and this post gives me lots of inspiration.
I think that the spiral method looks like it would be fun to try. I think that t-shirts would be a great activities with the kids for the day. Thank you for all the things you do for everyone.
I love the look of the shibori method…I think I spelled that right. lol
I would love to try the spiral method
Spiral method.
Looks like alot of fun, thank you!
I would like to try all of them, soooo cute!
Dying with friends is a favorite activity with our different fabrics. I think it. would be fun to have a tie dye party with the dolls clothes and fabrics.
Thank you for this possibility…
Love reading about the variety of styles and the ways to get the different. effects! Very cool and stylish!
I would love to do some time dye with my granddaughter as she loves to try new crafts.
I remember creating dyed T-shirts for summer csmps for scouts. I’ve used the spiral method and the crumbled method with rubber bands. I like the results of the spiral method best.
All the patterns I have used are just great the biggest hit was the space suit. The little girls loved them and I have made many for fund raising for the alzheimer society.
thanks
I like the Shibori-Inspired Method, as I have done a lot of dyeing in indigo vat. will have to try them all though!
I prefer the spiral method because it is similar to how I used to wash broomstick skirts when they were in style. I have always had success with this method.
I have never tried tie dye before but it sure looks like fun! Would love to give it a go. Thanks for your generosity!
I used to do this as a kid with my own clothes. Gotta dust off the old skills and try the pint sized version. Looks like fun!
Hi, I think I would try the spiral method. Looks interesting… Thanks
The sun is out and I was just thinking of doing some tie dye outside, though it’s been awhile since my tie dye days! What fun to do some tees for the granddaughters and their dolls! I like the spiral method with crimp a close second. Thanks for the inspiration!
Bonnie
May 12, 2020
I like the spiral method. Would love to try it.