Pixie & Pirate Destinations   *|*   Wishes become memories. One dream at a time.

  • Home
  • Our Vision
  • Our Mission
  • Our People

How to Make Mickey Tie Dye Shirts
by DVP Lisa Reese


Have you been in Disney World, Disneyland or on the Disney cruise and spotted a Disney fan sporting a fabulous Mickey Tie Dye shirt?  Have you ever wondered how they did it?  Well if you follow these instructions you can make some of your very own.

You are going to need some supplies:

  • 100% Cotton T-shirts
  • Rubber Bands
  • Washable Marker
  • Dental Floss
  • Needle
  • Soda Ash Fixer
  • Fiber Reactive Dyes
  • Urea
  • Gloves
  • Squeeze bottles
  • Big container for soaking
  • Ziplock Sandwich Bags
  • Trash Bags

I like to purchase my supplies at Dharma Trading Co.

Step 1 - Print out a template for your Mickey head.  I have a large adult size and a smaller child's size.


Picture
Picture




Step 2 - Trace Mickey onto the white shirt with your washable marker.  (mine is crayola)
Picture



Step 3 - Sew basting stitch with wax dental floss around the traced Mickey head shape.  I like to start and stop under the right ear where it meets the “head”.











Step 4 - Pull the floss super tight and tie it on a knot.  Make sure the Mickey Head area is not bunched up.










Step 5 - Use rubber bands and band the area where the floss is.  When you think it tight enough, make it tighter.  When you think you have enough rubber bands, use another one. The key to a good shape is tight rubber bands.



Step 6 - Mix up Soda Ash with water in large container. 

Step 7 - Mix dye with Urea/water mix in individual squeeze bottles.

Step 8 - Using puckered  Mickey, grabbing where the rubber bands are, start twisting the shirt.  You want to roll it up so it resembles a cinnamon bun or danish.  Secure with 4 or 5 rubber bands.

Step 9 - Soak shirts for about an hour in the Soda Ash solution.  Make sure every part of the shirt is wet. 


Step 10 - Once shirts are soaked, take then out and ring the shirts a bit.  Pull Puckered Mickey up and take a zip locked baggie with a small corner cut off and pull Mickey through.  Wrap inside baggie with rubber band around the cluster of rubber bands to hold it.  This lets your single out the area where the Mickey head will be. 

Step 11 - Pick the color for your Mickey head and squeeze a small amount of dye onto the Mickey area.  Close zip lock so your dyed Mickey head is separated. 


Step 12 - Now pick a few coordinating colors to dye the large areas.  I usually do it in thirds.

Step 13 - Place each dyed shirt in it’s own bag (trash or grocery store bag).  Then place all bags into one large bag.  I make 12 - 15 shirts at a time.

Step 14 - Put bag in a warm area for at least 24 hours.  Seriously, this is an important step.  Soak the shirts for 24 hours.  




Step 15 - Take a shirt out of the bag and cut rubber bands.  Cut the floss and unfold shirt.  Rinse each shirt until water runs clear.  


Step 16 - Wash shirts using a mild detergent or Dharma Professional Textile Detergent. Twice.


Final Step - Wear your Mickey Tie Dye Proudly!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
**All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
**Artwork, logos and properties: © Disney
**Ship's Registry: Bahamas

Our travel agency’s knowledge of Disney products has earned us the distinction of being named an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. We were given this special designation by Disney as a result of our agency’s ongoing focus and commitment to planning customized, magical trips to the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line® and other Disney vacation destinations worldwide.
Picture
Pixie and Pirate Destinations® is your go-to agency for Dream Vacation Planners and personalized advice to help you get the most out of your time & money on your next Disney, Sandals or Beaches, Royal Caribbean or Universal Orlando vacation!
Hire us to help you plan your next amazing vacation!

Picture
Picture
©2011-2023 Pixie and Pirate Destinations® - Travel Agency
California Seller of Travel #2114062-50 | Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST39064
Terms and Conditions | Contact Us | FAQs

  • Home
  • Our Vision
  • Our Mission
  • Our People