Compilation of the different tie dye patterns on AB Crafty. Over 17 tie dye designs and ideas.
Table of Contents
To make it easy to explore my different tie dye patterns, I’ve compiled all of the different tie dye designs into one place. Some use different techniques such as the ice tie method, while some are more classic tie dye ideas. Either way, have fun exploring and if you make one of these tie dye patterns, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @ab.crafty!
Note: Some links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no cost to you, I may earn a commission.
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Don’t forget to pin it so you can easily come back to it later!
Free Downloadable Templates
Some of the patterns below use templates to easily draw the perfect shape! You can download them all for free, scale them to the size you want, and print them out. You can also download them from the shop.
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for the Tie Dye Patterns
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Tie Dye Patterns
You can click on each image or name to jump to the details for how to make the design. If there’s a dedicated post for the pattern, I’ve provided links to that post.
For all of the designs, make sure the item is wet before shaping and tying it. Then if you’re using a tie dye kit, soak it in soda ash for at least 20 minutes before adding the dye to make sure it’s the most vibrant. You can find soda ash on Amazon.
Then don’t forget to use gloves (these are the kind I use since I have small hands) and then rubber bands or zip ties.
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Classic Tie Dye Patterns
This is a collection of the classic and more traditional tie dye designs. When I started out making tie dye as a kid, these were my go-to designs. And even now, the spiral pattern is still one of my favorite!
For all of these designs, if you’re using traditional dye, I recommend using a tie dye kit with soda ash and soaking them in soda ash after tying them. A kit like this already comes with soda ash, but you can also get it separately on Amazon.
Spiral Tie Dye Pattern
This is still one of my favorite tie dye designs and is pretty much my go-to. You can do it in a rainbow pattern using 3 colors like I did in my tie dye sweatshirt tutorial or you can make it in any color you want.
To make it, pinch the middle of the shirt and twist. The key is to keep the twist tight and help the folds to make a more perfect spiral. Then tie it with evenly spaced rubber bands (this is the pack I have).
For a rainbow, dye the opposite sections in yellow. Then dye the next sections red and then the next ones blue. Squeeze the colors near the rubber bands to help them blend.
You can also make the design using the bleach method.
Rainbow Bullseye Tie Dye Pattern
Pinch the middle of the shirt and lift up, gathering the rest of the shirt. Then tie it with rubber bands, spacing them evenly (this is the set I have).
Dye each section a different color in rainbow order. I used red, yellow, then blue. Be sure to squeeze the colors at the rubber bands to help them blend.
Corner Bullseye Tie Dye Pattern
This one is similar to the rainbow bullseye. However, instead of pinching the shirt in the middle, pinch it in the corner.
You can use a single color or multiple shades of the same color, like in this all blue tie dye shirt.
Multi-Target Tie Dye Design
Taking the target tie dye design a step further, you can do multiple to make a multi-target pattern.
Pinch different sections of the shirt to tie off. Then you can dye it or use the bleach dye method like I did for this one.
Crumple or Scrunch Tie Design
This is known as crumple tie dye or scrunch tie dye. It’s simple enough and also one of my favorite because you never really know how it’s going to turn out. I love the randomness!
Simply scrunch up the clothing and wrap it randomly with rubber bands or zip ties. Then place dye wherever you’d like.
For this one, I did a similar pattern to the spiral method and did the same color on opposite sides.
You can also do this design using the bleach method.
And here’s what a crumple dye looks like on a crop top using just a few colors.
Alternating Stripes Tie Dye Pattern
Accordion fold the shirt. Then add rubber bands every 1-2 inches, evenly spaced apart.
Alternate the colors of dye to get different colored stripes.
Rainbow Stripes Tie Dye Pattern
Just like with the alternating stripes, accordion fold your item and wrap rubber bands (Amazon) around it in even sections. When dyeing it though, use red, yellow, and blue, alternating the colors.
Squeeze the dye along the edges of the rubber bands to help blend the colors.
And even though I used a sock for this design, you can do it on any size item.
Two-Toned Stripes Tie Dye Pattern
You can also get a cool effect by changing the direction you fold and by only using two colors.
For these dyed socks, I folded them from heel to toe. Then dye one side all one color and the other side another color.
Diagonal Stripes Tie Dye Pattern
Instead of folding the shirt in a straight line, start folding it at an angle.
Wrap it with rubber bands or zip ties roughly 1-2 inches apart (these are the zip ties I used). Then dye it in whichever colors you would like or use just one like I did for this monochrome black shirt.
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Unique Shapes in Tie Dye
These designs are a little more complicated or require a few extra steps. I like to consider these as more intermediate or advanced designs. You can use the free downloadable templates to make it easy to draw the designs.
Download the Free Templates
for the Tie Dye Patterns
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Just as with the classic designs, I recommend using a tie dye kit with soda ash and soaking them in soda ash after tying them. A kit like this already comes with soda ash, but you can also get it separately on Amazon.
Then for those that require a design drawn on, I recommend using washable markers (this is the set I have). Some of these also need more strength when tied up so I recommend using reusable zip ties vs rubber bands. These are the ones I have.
Circle Bursts Tie Dye Design
Fold the shirt in an accordion fold.
Next, pinch and lift the top corner and add a rubber band or zip tie. Then move a few inches down across the top and repeat. Continue across the top. Repeat this along the bottom edge, but place the rubber bands between the rubber bands on the top.
Use the guide below as an example.
Heart Tie Dye Pattern
For a beautiful tie dye heart, fold the shirt in half and draw on the heart with a washable marker (I like these). To make this easy, I’ve also made a free downloadable heart pattern you can print and use. Then fold along the outline, twisting the shirt in order to keep the marker lined up.
Use a zip tie to secure the shirt along the line. Then pull the rest of the shirt to the side and wrap zip ties 1-2 inches apart.
For a rainbow pattern, alternate using rainbow colors (in this case I used a red, yellow, blue, and purple), but you can use whichever colors you’d like.
You can also make this heart design in pastel colors. This one was made using this kit.
Star Tie Dye Pattern
For a fun tie dye star, fold the shirt in half and use a washable marker to draw half of a star (these are the kind I have). To make this part easy, I’ve made a free downloadable star pattern that you can print out and trace around.
Then with one finger in the middle along the fold, fold the shirt over so that the top point lines up with the middle of the next point. Then fold the shirt backwards along this line. Repeat the process lining up the points of the star until it’s all folded and all of the marker lines line up with each other.
Fold along the marker line and secure it with a zip tie. Then pull the rest of the shirt to the side and wrap zip ties 1-2 inches apart.
Dye each section whichever colors you would like. The first section will be the main center star.
Bat Tie Dye Pattern
To make the bat pattern, first draw use the free printable pattern to draw half of a bat on the folded shirt with a washable marker (this is the kind I have).
Sew along the design and carefully pull the threads. Then wrap zip ties around it. Next, scrunch the rest of the shirt and wrap it in rubber bands or zip ties. Cover it completely in black dye.
Pumpkin Tie Dye Design
Just like with the other Halloween designs, start the pumpkin pattern by folding the shirt in half and using the printable template to draw half of the pumpkin. This is the set of washable markers I have.
Sew along the design and pull the threads carefully to make the folds. Then scrunch the rest of the shirt and secure it all with zip ties. Dye the pumpkin section orange, the stem green, and the rest black.
Ghost Tie Dye Pattern
For a ghost design, use the printable template to draw half of a ghost on a folded shirt with a washable marker (Amazon). Either sew along the design or fold along the line, keeping the line straight. Tie a rubber band around the eye. Secure the rest of the shirt with zip ties roughly 2 inches apart.
Dye the eye black, but leave the next section white for the ghost. Then for the alternating stripes look, dye each section an alternating color.
Candy Corn Tie Dye Pattern
For another fall or Halloween themed design, make this candy corn pattern by starting with a folded shirt. Draw a triangle shape with two sections using a washable marker (Amazon) or use the printable template.
Then fold along the outer line and secure it with a rubber band. Wrap the rest of of the shirt with zip ties evenly spaced across.
To dye it, leave the top part of the triangle white, then dye the next section yellow and then the next orange. Use the lines for reference. Lastly, dye the rest of the shirt all black.
Tie Dye Patterns Using Non-Traditional Methods
These patterns don’t necessarily use the classic tie and dye method. They have something unique going on to get the different pattern.
Ice Tie Dye Design
The ice tie dye method uses a unique approach to dyeing. While you still tie it using the crumple design, you apply the dye differently.
Place the shirt on top of containers or a drying rack inside of a tray. Then cover it with ice.
Then instead of mixing the dye, you’re actually going to sprinkle the dry powder over the ice. As it melts over several hours or overnight, it blends to create a gorgeous marble effect. Because you’re using the powder directly, I actually recommend this kit instead of the bottles.
More Dyeing Projects and Resources
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Daniela Kretchmer
Daniela is a lifelong crafter who loves to share her passion for crafting. Through classes or learning on her own, she likes to say she'll do pretty much any craft aside from scrapbooking. Her current personal obsessions include garden crafts, felting, and spinning yarn.
1 thought on “Tie Dye Patterns”
Great compilation. Almost a complete “How to” of tie dying.