DIY bleach resist t-shirts

This was super easy.  I took some cheap solid colour t-shirts and turned them into one-of-a-kinders.   First, I laid out my t-shirts and put some objects on that I wanted to make the pattern with.  I cut out paper wings for the back of the first t-shirt, and laid out some beads to make a necklace pattern on the front of the second t-shirt.

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Then, get two spray bottles.  Put some bleach in one (I diluted mine about half..don’t dilute it too much).  And put some white vinegar in the other.  Spray the shirts with bleach. Don’t spray one section too much or you will just get a solid colour change.  To get the splattered look you want to spray once and keep moving.  I did spray a little bit more near the objects just to be sure that the pattern came out.  The colour should change very quickly. Once you see the colour that you want, spray the shirt with vinegar to stop the reaction.  Then just throw them in the washing machine (not with other clothes).

Here’s the results:

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Even hubby thought they were cool. After he saw them he went through his closet to see if he had any tshirts to try this on.

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3 Comment(s)

  1. I enjoyed looking at your shirts…I just did 4 in the last day or so..A friend had one on yesterday that she paid $12.00 for in MI…so we went to the thrift store and got shirts for 50 cents….some color better than others….we used long skinny leaves, plastic leaves,and different plant leaves from the yarn..really came out nice…on black shirts…then I did a sweat shirt today…navy…it colored altogether different but it is interesting…A fun project!!!

    Harriet Deeds | Sep 29, 2009 | Reply

  2. Cool, I like the idea of leaves. I think I might try that on a long sleave cotton shirt for fall. Fern leaves would look really cool.

    Melany Fulgham | Sep 29, 2009 | Reply

  3. I love the ideas of the angel wings! I tried both shirts last night and they worked out really well. I thought I should post a warning though. When the bleach mixes with the vinegar on the shirt it creates toxic fumes.

    cory | Jan 12, 2010 | Reply

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