How to Tie Dye a Hoodie (Step-by-Step Guide)

Learning how to tie dye a hoodie is a fun way to transform plain sweatshirts into colorful, one-of-a-kind creations. Although hoodies are thicker than T-shirts, they are surprisingly easy to dye and work beautifully with classic tie dye patterns such as spirals, bullseyes, and stripes. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to tie dye a hoodie step by step, discover the best fabrics and dyes to use, and explore several beginner-friendly patterns. ou can even use these techniques to tie dye sweatshirts and sweatpants.

Why Tie Dye a Hoodie?

Hoodies are one of the most popular tie dye projects because they are comfortable, practical, and easy to customize. A colorful hoodie makes a great gift and is perfect for cooler weather. Tie dye hoodies are also ideal for experimenting with larger patterns, combining multiple colors, and creating matching sets with sweatpants or socks.

New to tie dye? Start with my complete How to Tie Dye for Beginners guide.

Supplies for Tie Dyeing Hoodies

What do you need to tie dye a hoodie? For more information on dyes and tools, see my guide to What to Use for Tie Dyeing.

1. Dye suitable for tie dying. You can purchase specialty dyes in tie dye kits. These are usually powder dyes that you mix with water in an applicator bottle.
2. Soda Ash (Some one-step dyes may not need this fixative.)
3. Rubber Bands
4. Scissors
5. Garbage Bags and Plastic or Tarpaulin
6. Applicator Bottle/s (if not included in the dye kit)
7. Buckets
8. Water
9. Rubber Gloves

Best Types of Hoodies to Tie Dye

The best DIY tie dye hoodie starts with a 100% cotton or natural fabric in white. Keep in mind that only natural fibers will dye. Sweatshirt fabric sometimes has polyester mixed in with the cotton, so check the label has no more than 20% polyester. My sample white hoodie was 85% cotton and 15% polyester.

How to Tie Dye a Hoodie (Step by Step)

Whether you want to keep using your old hoodie because of sentimental value or don’t want to spend money on a new one, here are the six steps of how to tie-dye a hoodie, that you should follow:

Step 1 – Prepare Your Area

To tie-dye your hoodie, you need to prepare your working area. Since you will be working with dyes, you must ensure that you don’t leave stains on your working surface. Thus, cover it with plastic or an old tarpaulin. Also, ensure that you choose a working area away from young kids and pets. An outdoor space will be perfect. Otherwise, consider working over the kitchen sink or laundry.

Step 2 – Wash the Hoodie

General Wash – It’s imperative to wash your hoodie to remove any dirt or oil present that may prevent the dye from getting absorbed completely. Place it in the washing machine or wash it manually, depending on the hoodie’s care label instructions. Then, spin dry or wring and air dry.

Do I Need to Use Fixer for Tie Dyeing Hoodies? Check the label on your dyes. Most require you to use a fixer on your hoodie before dying. The soda ash fixer will make the fabric absorb the dyes better, resulting in vibrant, lasting colors. Some one-step dyes, such as the ones found in the popular Tulip tie-dye kits, do not need a soda ash wash. If your dye doesn’t require a fixer, just start with a damp hoodie and skip to the next step.

CAUTION – Make sure that you’re wearing your rubber gloves and eye protection while preparing the solution. If the solution gets in your eyes, simply flush it with clean water. If you feel any eye pain, have a professional check it ASAP. Keep kids and pets away while you are using soda ash.

How to Use Fixer for Tie Dye Hoodies – To make a fixer solution, combine the right amount of soda ash and water in a bucket, as per the product’s instructions. If it doesn’t come with instructions, mix a gallon (3.8 liters) of water and 3⁄4 cups (180 milliliters) of soda ash. Set aside. Take your damp hoodie and soak it in the fixer solution you prepared earlier for five to 10 minutes. Once saturated, take the hoodie out of the fixer and wring it. Then, lay it flat on a clean plastic tarp or plastic tablecloth.

Step 3 – Create Tie Dye Patterns for Hoodies

When it comes to how to tie-dye a hoodie, you’ll find an assortment of patterns that you can create. In fact, you can even create your own! You can combine different techniques for the hood pattern, sleeves, and body. In my sample, I used a striped technique for the sleeves and a bullseye for the body. Due to the thickness of most hoodies compared to t-shirts, it is best to tie the front and back separately.

Step 4 – Dyeing Hoodies

There are two different ways to apply the dye or dyes, namely:

• Bucket Method
• Applicator Bottle Method

Bucket Method

This technique on how to tie dye a hoodie is perfect for those who want to use one color only, but you can also use two or more colors. With those in mind, here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Dilute the dye in the bucket by following the label instructions. Mix with a metal spoon and allow to dissolve completely. If you plan to use more than one color for your tie-dyed hoodie, use different buckets for each color.
2. Soak the whole hoodie in the bucket for 30 minutes for one-color tie-dyed hoodies. For two-color tie-dyed hoodies, soak half of the hoodie for 30 minutes and then lift. Then, soak the other half in the other bucket for 30 minutes.
3. Remove the hoodie from the bucket.
4. Wrap the dyed hoodie in a plastic bag or place it in a Ziploc bag.
5. Allow to sit for two hours or overnight, depending on your preference or the dye instructions.

Applicator Bottle Method

For this method, here are the things you need to do:

1. If you didn’t purchase liquid dye in applicator squeeze bottles, dilute the powder dye in the applicator bottle following the product instructions. Like the bucket method on how to tie dye a hoodie, use one applicator bottle for each color you want to use.
2. Place the hoodie on a baking rack suspended over a large dish or bucket. This will catch the dye underneath.
3. Gently squirt the dye in one or more areas of the hoodie. Be creative when using several colors by distributing the colors unevenly on the hoodie.
4. Wrap the dyed hoodie in a plastic bag or place it in a Ziploc bag.
5. Allow to sit for two hours or overnight, depending on your preference or the dye instructions. The Tulip dyes I used recommended 6-8 hours. I left my sample for around 8 hours.

Step 5 – Rinse the Dye

Once you’re happy with how long your hoodie has been soaking in the dye, here’s what you need to do:

1. Take the tie-dyed hoodie out of the plastic wrap or Ziploc.
2. Remove or cut the rubber bands.
3. Rinse your tie-dyed hoodie in running cold water until the water runs clear or clean to remove excess dye. You can also use a basin or bucket filled with cold water.

Step 6 – Wash and Dry

Once you’re done removing the excess dye, the next step on how to tie dye a hoodie is to wash your tie-dyed hoodie properly. Depending on your hoodie’s care instructions or laundry symbols, you can launder it manually using cold water or in the washer using the cold cycle.

Make sure you use mild detergent since strong and special detergent formulas can lead to dye bleeding. Also, don’t wash the tie-dyed hoodie with your other fabrics, as it may color your other items. Lastly, expect to wash the hoodie a few times since you need to ensure the dye doesn’t bleed anymore. Once done, place your hoodie in the dryer or allow it to air dry in a shaded but well-ventilated area.

Easy Tie Dye Hoodie Patterns

Here are some of the highly suggested patterns for beginners.

For more folding techniques, see my complete Tie Dye Patterns guide.

1. Bullseye

To create this familiar and popular tie dye hoodie pattern, follow these steps:

1. With your hoodie laying flat, pinch the middle part, ensuring you take both the hoodie’s front and back. Then grab it, raising the hoodie about 2.5cm or one inch.
2. Tightly tie a rubber band around its rise.
3. Take another rubber band and tie it an inch below the first rubber band. Do this until your hoodie becomes cylindrical.

2. Sunburst or Spiral

Popular hoodie tie dye patterns include a sunburst that you can achieve by following these steps:

1. Pinch a small spot of your hoodie, ensuring you’re grabbing both front and back parts. Twist.
2. Secure the pinched fabric by tightly tying a rubber band around it.
3. Repeat the steps until you have enough pinched and tied spots.

3. Diagonal Stripes

Also known as the accordion-style pattern, here are the steps to give your hoodie diagonal stripes:

1. Take one of the hoodie’s bottom corners and fold it to about two inches (5cm) toward the opposite shoulder.
2. Keep flipping and folding your hoodie until it turns into a two-inch rectangle.
3. Take a rubber band and secure the folded hoodie.

How to Reverse Tie Dye a Hoodie

Reverse tie dye uses bleach instead of dye to remove color from dark hoodies. This technique creates dramatic effects and works especially well on black sweatshirts.

For full instructions and safety information, see my complete How to Bleach Tie Dye tutorial.

How to Tie Dye Hoodies FAQs

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Conclusion

With the standard and reverse methods on how to tie dye a hoodie you just learned, you can turn your old and boring hoodie into a piece of art that you can wear anytime! As a beginner, consider practicing on old fabrics or worn-out or torn hoodies. Nonetheless, don’t be afraid to create imperfect tie dye hoodie patterns. After all, art is all about creativity and uniqueness.

More Tie Dye Articles

• How to Tie Dye for Beginners
• How to Bleach Tie Dye
• How to Tie Dye Socks
• Tie Dye Patterns
• Washing Tie Dye