15 Cool Tie Dye Patterns And How to Make Them

These easy tie-dye folding techniques will teach you how to make beautiful and unique cool tie dye patterns.

The crumple technique (my favorite), the spiral pattern, and the bullseye design are some tie-dye designs I will show you how to make below with this collection of patterns.

What is Tie Dye?

Tie-dye is a dyeing technique that uses bright, bold colors and patterns. Plus, Tie-dye is easy to do, too! Tie dyeing is adding color to fabric that has usually been bound with rubber bands or string. Most people tie-dye fabric using a tie-dye kit bought from a local craft store.

You can also reverse tie-dye, which takes away color instead of adding to it like the traditional tie-dye technique mentioned above. The reverse tie dyeing technique can be done at home without a kit.

The best thing about tye dying is the cool tie dye patterns that can be created with the way the string or rubber bands are placed, as well as where the color is applied.

Beginner Tie Dye Information

If you are new or are a beginner tie dyer, then read over the materials and how to tie-dye steps below.

Materials Needed for Tie Dye

Fabric or clothing item like socks, sweatshirts, bags and more that are in a lighter color. Most will use a white colored fabric when tie dyeing.
Plastic squeeze bottles with tips that hold about 2 oz. (These can be found at local craft stores, or they are included in most tie-dye kits)
Dye (powder or liquid)
Rubber bands or string
Gloves
Plastic drop-cloth or garbage bags
Wire rack (optional)
Storage bag that can be resealed.

How to Tie Dye

Pre-wash: Wash your fabric or clothing item before beginning the tie-dying process.
You should prepare your workspace and supplies. Drop-cloths or garbage bags can be used to cover any surfaces. If you have a tie-dye kit, follow the instructions to make the dyes. Use a wire wrack overtop of the garbage or cloth to prevent staining of the surface and pooling of the dye.
If you’re using a pattern, choose and fold it. (see below for pattern ideas and folding techniques). Before beginning the tie-dye process, decide on your pattern and the colors you want to use to ensure that you have all the necessary materials.
Tie your pattern together. Use rubber bands to hold your item together. It will take more dye to penetrate the tightly bound patterns, and the opposite is true for more loosely rubber-banded items.
Dye your item. Next, put on your gloves and start squeezing the dye onto the fabric of your item. Have fun with how much dye you add and the colors you pick! This part is what will make the tie-dye project unique to you. Continue applying the dye so that the same color goes over the edges and the back.
Let the project sit. Keeping the rubber bands on, place the project in a sealed bag, such as a gallon plastic bag. Your item should be kept damp, so the dye can fully penetrate it, which is about 6-8 hours.
You should rinse and wash the item. Remove the rubber bands by carefully cutting them off and rinse your item with cold water. When you are rinsing the item, make sure to be careful of staining. Then, wash and dry your items according to the instructions for your dye kit.

Cool Tie Dye Patterns

Here are a variety of different patterns and shapes you can make when tie-dyeing, such as Halloween Tie Dye shapes, for example. Take a look at a few of them below and see what you can create with these cool tie dye patterns.

Spiral Tie Dying – To create the spiral tie-dying technique, pinch the fabric at the center and swirl until it looks like a pinwheel. Place rubber bands around the center, so it almost looks like a cut pizza pie.
Accordion Tie Dyeing: Learn all about the accordion tie-dye technique from Tulip.
Ice Dye. Ice dyeing is the process of putting ice cubes on top of fabric and sprinkling dye on top of the ice. The melting process will dictate how the dye splits and bleeds, and where it lands on the fabric.
Reverse Tie Dye
Crumple Tie Dying – crumple up your fabric evenly and secure with rubber bands. (This is the one I used!)
Folding Tie Dying – use different folding techniques to create a unique piece. Learn more about the Folding Tie Dye Technique with this video, so you can create some fun stripe tie-dye designs.
Clipping Tie Dying – use one or multiple clips or clothes pins to hold the fabric in place to create a fun design