Summer Baby Shower with Tie Dye Onesies

Making Tie Dye Onesies is a super fun activity and the mom-to-be will love dressing baby in custom onesies!

I know what you're thinking - tie dye is messy, planning a party is a lot of work - why on Earth would anyone want to do these things at the same time?  Guess what, I'm going to simplify this for you. 

You don't have to throw an elaborate party to have fun - a few great friends, some delicious food and this fun activity are all you need!

How to Throw a Tie Dye Party

Keep the party small and simple.  Tie dying onesies for the mom-to-be is a great activity to do with 6 people.  Ask guests to bring onesies (bibs would be cute, too!) that are 100% cotton. 

Purchase the Tulip® One-Step Tie-Dye Kit which includes:

• 18 squeeze bottles with One-Step Dye powder inside
• 6 pairs of gloves
• 6 sets of rubber bands
• 2 table covers
• Instruction guide

Tie Dye Party Ideas

Now get ready for the resources, because we have tons for you!

• Tempting Tie Dye Party Recipes
• Tie Dye Cookies

Free Printable Invitation

Download this fun invitation for free! Print on cardstock and cut out the 5x7 cards.

For best results, I recommend taking this to a copy center such as Staples or Kinkos.

Ok, so now that you have your party planning all figured out, it's time to get really creative - it's time to tie dye!

Tie Dye Onesie Top 5 Tips

1. Use 100% natural fiber fabric only (cotton, silk, rayon, wool)      –Polyester will not dye…never ever ever! –50/50 t-shirts mean 50% of the fibers are polyester and the finished project will look dull and washed out  
2. Do not add water to dye until you are prepared to use it. Apply dye to fabric within 24 hours after mixing.  
3. Get your fabric completely wet, then completely wrung out, before applying dye. This makes the dye soak into the fabric immediately, which lessens the amount of dye you need per project (more economical!).  
4. Keep dyed fabric covered with plastic (Ziploc bags work great) to prevent it from drying out; fabric that dries before the dye is finished setting can result in weaker color concentration and less intensity.  
5. Use plastic shoe boxes. This keeps excess dye contained in the box and easy to clean up

Stickers Technique

We tried a couple of different methods, one of my favorites included using foam stickers that you can also purchase as Walmart.  We used the foam stickers to make patterns and designs. 

For this method, you want the fabric dry.  Then using inexpensive spray bottles, we squirted on the dye.  For this one, I overlapped blue and yellow to make green. 

1. Spread the onesie on a plastic surface.
2. Add the dye to squirt bottles.
3. Place the stickers, then squirt.
4. After that, allow it to dry and then repeat on the backside.
5. Wash before wearing or gifting.

Stripes Technique

Stripes is another of my favorite techniques.  We lined a plastic shoebox container with papertowels to soak up the excess dye.  I wet the onesie thoroughly, then wrung it out.  Next, I twisted the onesie and secured it with the rubber bands. 

Then came the fun part of adding all the dye to the different segments - I love this rainbow look!  We bagged the wet onesies and let them set for about 7 hours.  Then the onesies were washed and given to the mom-to-be.

1. First wet the fabric and then wring dry.
2. Next pleat the onesie and add elastic bands.
3. Squirt the dye in bands, flip & repeat.
4. After that, bag the onesie for 6-8 hours.
5. Wash before wearing or gifting.

Crumple Technique

I guess I used more of a 'scrunch' than a 'Crumple' on this onesie.  I think it's a tad more difficult to get such a small bit of fabric crumbled the same way.  Either way, this has a nice splotchy look to it that I love.  Here's how to do it:

1. Start by wetting the fabric, then wring dry.
2. Scrunch the fabric together.
3. After that, squirt the dye, flip and repeat.
4. Then, bag for 6-8 hours.
5. Wash before wearing or gifting.

More Baby Shower Ideas

• Party Popcorn Bar
• How to Make a Meat And Cheese Platter