How to use Dye to Create an Ombre Effect

Now, we are going to show you how to create an ombre effect using dye. This is a unique technique that is easy for you to do to that will create your own original costume that no one else will have.

Supplies:

Fabric or dance Garment (we used a skirt for our demonstration)
Dyes
Large soup pot (dedicated for dyeing).
Rubber gloves
Apron or old clothes
Bleach

Directions:

Before you do anything else, check Notes to Remember in the introductory section above.

Choosing Your Materials
First, you need to choose your fabric or garment. This method could be used on any garment, top or bottom. For our demonstration, we are going to use a white skirt. Next, you need to choose the colors that you want. You want to use at least two colors but you could use more.

Preparation
Fill the sink with hot, hot water and add the first color. If the tap water is not hot enough, you can add water heated on the stove. For our demonstration, we are using powdered Mauve dye. Since the powdered Mauve dye is the first dye we are using and the water is very, very hot, we can empty the package directly into the sink. Mix the dye with a very large spoon that is dedicated to dyeing making sure that the powdered dye is completely dissolved. Remember, the hotter the water, the richer and darker the color you will achieve.

Also, mix powdered gray dye in a small bowl of really hot water. Stir it very well and let it sit. Make sure that the dye is totally dissolved.

Dyeing Garment
Before you do anything else, check Notes to Remember in the introductory section above.

To get the result we did using the colors we did, dunk the whole skirt into the sink containing a mixture of very, very hot water and the main dye you wish to start with. For our demonstration, we used Mauve dye. Dunk the garment two or three times.

Next, gather the top part of the skirt and hold it very tightly in your fist. Pour some of the second dye in the small bowl (we used dissolved powder Gray dye) on top of the skirt and into the sink. Pick an arbitrary spot on the skirt that you want to be the beginning of the second color (Gray). Look at the skirt and pour more of the concoction from the small bowl onto the hem of the skirt. While you are doing this, you want to make sure that you hold the top of the skirt up high so that you do not get bits of color on the upper part of the skirt. Keep doing this while you are also moving that top line of the second (gray) color down. Pour more of the liquid from the sink onto the bottom of the skirt two or three times. Move that demarcation line again. Scoop more liquid from the sink (which now consists of the remainder of the original dye and the second Gray dye) and pour it on the skirt starting at the new demarcation line. Make sure you keep the top part of the skirt out of the darker colors and squeeze the liquid out of the skirt as you go.

When you are done, you will see that you have a variation of three or more colors going down the skirt. That is how you make an ombre.