DIY Shibori Style Tie-Dyed Throw Pillows

Being confined to my house as I have been working from home these past few months has me wanting to update our house decor simply because I stare at the same chairs everyday (which I love). I am itching to get new things out of shear boredom. Has anyone else been drowning their Covid-19 sorrows in online shopping? I am taking this time as an opportunity however to get my DIY skills on. So, I’ve been REAL into tie-dye lately as it has made a comeback this year. I tried my hand at it first with these Tie-Dyed Dinner Napkins that turned out super cute, so I wanted to try it again on more home decor.

I decided on some pillow cases, as my kids have colored on most of my throw pillows and it’s an easy and inexpensive way to update your house.

See below for step x step instructions (with pictures) on how to make Shibori Style Tie-Dyed Pillows Cases.

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Supplies:

Pillow Cases
Tie-Dye Kit – I used this one, but there are other color options as well – see here, here & here.
Cardboard – I cut up Amazon boxes (like I said…drowning sorrows in online shopping)
Rubber bands or Yarn/Twine
Plastic table cloth
Plastic Gloves

Instructions:

I wanted to try a couple different techniques, so I will show you what I did below:

STEP 1: Fold and secure your pillow case according to your chosen technique below:

Triangle:

1: Fold pillow cases in half, Then fold again (and again) to make a long rectangle.

2: Fold one end down to form a triangle (as shown). Then fold under neath accordion style.

3: Continue this folding process to the end of the rectangle.

4: Cut cardboard into triangles about the size of your napkin fold. Place a cardboard triangle on either side and secure with the twine or rubber bands. Set aside.

Square:

1. Fold pillow case in half and then in half again to make a long rectangle.

2. Fold the rectangle in half and then fold again to get a long skinny strip.

3. Fold horizontally and then into thirds accordion-style to make a square.

4. Cut cardboard into squares the size of the pillow case and secure with rubber bands or string/twine.

Spiral Pattern:

1. Pull pillow case from middle or wherever you want the burst to start.

2. Twist as you secure with rubber bands every inch or so.

Rings Pattern:

1. Pinch different sections of the pillow case and secure with rubber band.

STEP 2: Once all the pillow cases are complete, run each one under cold water to dampen. Squeeze out so they aren’t dripping wet. Place on a large plastic tablecloth, trash bag or something else disposable.

STEP 3: Prepare your dye. If you are using the dye kit above, fill the bottle (with dye already inside) with water to the line indicated. Shake it up until all the dye dissolves.

SIDE NOTE: Make sure to where gloves or your hand will be blue for a few days!

STEP 4: Using the dye bottle, soak the edges of each pillow case with the dye. You can use as much or as little as you desire. Every pillow will look different and that is the beauty of it. I used Black for the square & triangle technique. I used indigo for the spiral and ring technique

STEP 6: Wrap each dyed pillow case tightly with saran wrap so the dye can work its magic and let sit overnight or 8 hours. For the Rings technique, I placed in a ziplock bag first and then wrapped it in saran wrap to tighten it up.