- 1). Trace or draw your T-shirt design on a sheet of white cardboard or stiff paper. You can download an image from the Internet or copy one from a book.
- 2). Slip the cardboard inside the white T-shirt. The design should be facing the front so it can be seen through the fabric.
- 3). Follow the lines of your design with tip of the washable glue-gel bottle on the T-shirt, squeezing lightly as you draw. Use a paintbrush for thicker lines.Cover with glue any areas that you want to remain white. These are the sections where the glue will resist the dye. Drag glue lines across the pattern to create the cracked look of waxed batik. Allow to dry completely and repeat for the back of the T-shirt. The design cardboard will stick to the fabric.
- 4). Prepare cold-water dye of your choice according to manufacturer's instructions. Pour dye colors into separate empty spray bottles, which can be purchased from a beauty supply shop. Use complementary primary colors for a tie-dye effect, for example, blue and yellow dyes will create green in areas where they meet.
- 5). Drape the T-shirt on a hanger outdoors or inside over a floor protected by newspaper or plastic. Spray the dye directly on the shirt in wide horizontal bands, allowing an overlap to create the third color. Saturate both front and back with dye; the glued-on design cardboard will prevent bleed-through. Allow to dry.
- 6). Tear off as much of the cardboard as possible and dip shirt into cold water. Rinse until all the glue is removed. This process will also remove the remaining glued-on cardboard. Allow your batik shirt to dry.
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