Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to add some personality and life to your all-white Puma shoes. If you want a pair of shoes that is unlike any other, you need to take design matters into your own hands. Fortunately, that’s easy to do once you know how to tie dye. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you tie dye womens white sneakers in minimal time.
Step 1: Prepare Your Shoes
Before you get anywhere near your shoes with tie dye paint, take time to remove your laces. Otherwise, they will get dyed right along with your shoes. Since colorful shoes and pristine white laces are the rage right now, it’s best to unthread those laces before you get started.
Step 2: Prepare Your Soda Ash Solution
Before you can tie dye your shoes, you need to prepare them with a soda ash solution. You can make your own solution from scratch if you want, but it may be easier to pick up a premade soda ash solution. Such solutions come with instructions that give you the proper ratio of solution to water. Most solutions require one gallon of warm water per each ½ cup of soda ash.
Once you know the right solution for your kit, mix the soda ash with the water until it’s well incorporated. Then, soak your shoes in the solution for at least 10 minutes.
Step 3: Let Your Shoes Dry
Wring your sneakers out after dipping them in the solution. Allow them to dry for at least 2 hours in the sunshine.
Step 4: Plan Your Tie Dye Designs
Figure out what tie dye colors and designs you want your Puma sneakers to have. Many people choose swirly or striped designs, but the sky is the limit.
Step 5: Mix Your Dyes
Once you’ve figured out what colors and patterns you want, mix your selected dyes from your tie dye kit. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions included in your kit. If you plan to use multiple colors, you’ll need to mix them in separate bottles so they don’t all blend together. Put on a pair of plastic or latex gloves to protect your skin from the dye.
Step 6: Apply Your Dyes
Now for the fun part! Begin applying your dyes using a small paint brush. Dip the paintbrush into the dye of your choice, and brush it onto the fabric in your preferred pattern. Most experts recommend that you start with the lightest colors before moving on to the darker colors. Apply all of your first color before moving on to your next hue. This will help you avoid unintentionally mixing colors.
Always wash your brush thoroughly between colors. Don’t just rinse it with water, or you may not remove all of the previous color from the bristles.
Step 7: Allow Space Between Colors
You should always leave approximately ¼ inch between colors. This will give the dye enough room to run without melting into the adjacent color.
Step 8: Set the Color
To set the color and make it permanent, cover the Puma shoes in plastic. Allow the shoes to remain in the bag for at least 12 hours. Then, you can wear and wash them as usual.