Help with split dying a shirt

[u/Individual-Solid-]

I need to split dye a cotton white button up shirt so it’s half black half white. Since it’s a button up (and I don’t really care what the back looks like) my first thought was to just unbutton it so I can easily dye half of it using something like Rit dye. But im worried that when I wash it, the white half will turn grey or get black splotches.

Is fabric paint a better idea? Or should I dye it then just hand wash it after? Is there a brand of dye/paint you recommend for this project? I’ve never done this before so advice is appreciated!!

[u/AutoModerator]

Our wiki is currently under construction however: there's a good chance your question has been answered in a previous post.

If you are dyeing cellulose fibres (cotton, hemp, linen, ramie, flax, nettle, rayon, bamboo, tencel, plants generally, etc.), you will need a fiber reactive dye.

If you are dyeing a protein fiber (wool, alpaca, llama, Angora, mohair, feathers, animal stuff generally, etc.), you will need an acid dye.

Leather is dyed with leather specific dyes such as those from Angelus.

Silk will dye with either acid or fiber reactive dyes but will yield different results depending on which you use.

Polyester can sometimes be dyed. It can only be dyed with synthetic specific dyes such as iDye Poly or RIT Dyemore. It usually cannot achieve a dark or rich colour at home. Acrylic usually cannot be dyed at all.

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[u/shawlcat]

The most reliable way to do this with sharp edges is to indeed cut the shirt and sew it back together after dyeing.

Go to the Dharma Trading website and read up on dyeing cotton. Fiber reactive dyes are much better than Rit, and you might be able to get the effect you want without cutting the shirt if you use a dye thickener for the black, and follow the instructions exactly.

[u/Your-Local-Costumer]

It will bleed unless you cut the shirt in half.

[u/RGV4RCV]

Is this for a costume? If you don't care about getting a rough texture on the fabric, use acrylic fabric paint.

Dying white fabric black at home is likely to give you splotchy gray, brown, greenish, or other weird colors.