How to tie-dye tights


Did you dirty up the toes of your white hose? Give your old tights new life with a DIY dye job. All you need are white tights (no more than 50 percent polyester), rubber bands, fabric dye (we used RIT), an old, large pot (you won’t want to use it for cooking again), and old tongs or a wire hanger.

To create the design on the right in the photo, fold each leg of your tights accordion-style, from the toe to the crotch. Pinch the folded material, and secure both sides of each stack with rubber bands. In your pot, mix black dye (according to package instructions) and bring to just under a boil. Submerge your tights for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly with your tongs or hanger to ensure even coverage. Rinse with water (start warm and finish cool) until it runs clear. Remove the bands and lay flat to dry.

To make the design on the left in the photo, knot your tights wherever you want a stripe. Make the knots on each leg match up if you want the stripes to be even. In your pot, mix black dye and bring to just under a boil. Submerge your tights for 30 – 60 minutes, stirring constantly, and rinse. Untie any knots where you want a colored stripe. In your pot, mix fuchsia dye and bring to just under a boil. Submerge the tights for 30 minutes, stirring constantly, and rinse clean as above. Undo the remaining knots, and lay flat to dry.

http://www.bust.com/component/option,com_zine/id,16/view,article/