DIY Tie Dye Bed Sheets With A Few Simple Steps

Tie-dye has its origins in ancient fabric-dying principles across the world, seen in various Japanese, Indonesian, and Peruvian traditions, to name a few. But this funky, organic dying method became popular in the 1960s and '70s in the U.S., almost becoming synonymous with the hippie movement, and it continues to have a consistent resurgence in American fashion and home décor. And right now, it's having a moment not just on a t-shirt but as a part of bedding. While you can buy pre-dyed sheets, it lacks the ability to really customize them according to your palette, and tie-dying is a fun method to experiment with. Luckily, it isn't too hard to create your own tie-dyed bed sheets at home. 

You can try a few different methods using nearly any type of sheet. If you're using white sheets, you'll want to use pigmented dyes; this is the most popular, common form of tie-dying. But if you have a dark-colored sheet you still want to add some dimension and pattern to, you can try a similar method with bleach. In terms of customizing your pattern, you can choose from the usual method of tying up your sheets with rubberbands or string or use other resistance dying methods in a tradition known as "shibori," which comes from 8th century China and continues to produce stunning results. It's all about what you want the final result to look like. 

If you take a look at the world of tie-dye, you'll see that there's a lot of variation in patterns. That all has to do with the method you use to tie the fabric up. The usual method requires bundling the fabric up and securing it in sections with rubberbands or strings. When you're working with bedding, one easy method is to just lay the sheet on a table and, find the direct center, then pinch the fabric. Slowly twist the sheet, creating a spiral. In the end, you will be left with a rosette; just use rubber bands or yarn (check that whatever you use won't bleed color during the dying process) to create tie-dye sections. 

Now it's time to start tying off sections; do this in equal sections for a more even tie-dye spiral. For a more randomized pattern, create sections of varying size, and for a more controlled one. If you want a more dominant main color and accents, vary the size of the sections while applying the main color to the larger ones and the accents to the smaller ones. Repeat on the pillowcases. Note that while this method is great for beginners, there are plenty of folding methods you can use on your bed linens, and all will produce drastically different results. 

Still, this method won't give you the super-defined, more intricate patterns seen in shibori. Shibori differs from tie-dye in that instead of just being tied with yarn, the fabric can be wrapped, pulled, or clamped between other objects. One method known as Itajime requires folding the sheet into a square before clamping it between two wooden blocks, then securing it with rubber bands before dunking it in a dye bath. This will result in a geometric block pattern. Another popular shibori method is called Arashi, in which you wrap the sheet around a pole or pipe before binding it with string, then applying dye. Patterns can even be created by creating stitches with yarn or thread to create bunches in some sections; this is a great option if you want to customize the pattern.

All of these methods will produce drastically different results, so be sure to spend time familiarizing yourself with them before making your choice. Also, keep in mind that sheets are quite large, so you'll need fairly large wood blocks and pipes to accomplish your bedding tie-dye. If you're keen to play with multiple shibori methods, consider doing the pillowcases in a different style than the sheets, providing a much-welcome contrast. 

If you're going for the traditional dying method on white or light-colored sheets, you need to pick out your colors before you do anything else. Decide on your color palette and what aesthetic you're going for. Tie-dye is inherently pretty groovy and organic, but you can choose between muted pastels and vibrant, poppy colors. Note that while shibori typically uses indigo dye on white cloth, you can use any color you like. However, you really do only want to use white or very light-colored fabric because shibori's impact comes from contrast and bold, monochromatic patterns. 

For more of an ombre, consider choosing a few different tones of the same color. If your style is more natural and earthy,  pull in shades from the outdoors — greens, rusty oranges, beige, and browns. But to make a statement, think about using complementary colors for maximum contrast; just be sure to let them have time to set before adding the complementary color because if mixed together, you'll end up with a murky brown shade. Adding black dye can also make for a bold accent. 

Only got dark-colored sheets on hand and want to give them a makeover? Try to use some bleach instead; you'll be left with white markings that stand out against the fabric. This is also a great choice if you want a more minimalist, pared-down nod to tie-dye.