DIY #9: OMBRE SHORTS

Ombre shorts are really gorgeous and some online shops are selling them at ridiculously high prices. Why not try making your own! 

This tutorial is very similar to DIY#7:Dip-dye shorts, the difference between the two post is that DIY#7 uses 2 colours/dye while DIY#9:Ombre shorts uses 1 dye and create a gradient from light to dark. 

BLEACHING

For denim shorts that are not white, we may have to carry out an extra step, and that's to bleach it. Only authentic denims are suitable for bleaching as they are able to withstand the chemical reactions and will not tear during the process. 

I placed my denim shorts into a pail and added bleach until my shorts is fully submerged. My shorts was placed in bleach for about 2 hours and it still had patches of green. After leaving overnight to dry, the green patches were gone and the shorts turned entirely white. 

**Do wear gloves and try to reduce any contact with bleach as it can cause skin irritation.

DYEING

 For white denims, we can start straight into the dyeing process! So here's what you will need!

What you'll need:

- Shorts
- Pair of gloves
- Pail
- Dyes
- Salt

Duration: 1 hour

Level of difficulty: 3/5

 Dylon dyes: 25 Emerald (Used this for the tutorial) and 33 Kingfisher

Bought from Selffix @ $3.60/dye

Dylon dye: 25 Emerald

Step 1: Add 70 grams of salt into a pail containing 2 liters of BOILING HOT WATER!!

**Please be careful! This dye works best in hot water, there's another type of dylon dye that only works well in  cold water, please check the label when buying the dyes.

 Step 2: I added a tiny amount of dye as I wanted the top to be a very light shade of green, close to white. Soak shorts for about 30 seconds.

**Add the powder dye as close to the water and not at a distance to minimize any potential wind or residue remaining at the wall of the pail.

  

 Step 3: Add slightly more dye into the pail and submerge only 1/4 of the shorts to the darker tone dye.

Leave shorts in dye for about 30 seconds and then squeeze off excess dye.

** Some colour will fade during the squeezing and washing step, so do soak longer if necessary.

 Step 4: Add slightly more dye into the pail and submerge only half of the shorts to the darker tone dye.

Leave shorts in dye for about 40 seconds and then squeeze off excess dye.

** Some colour will fade during the squeezing and washing step, so do soak longer if necessary.

Step 5: Add slightly more dye into the pail and submerge only the ends of the shorts to the darker tone dye.

Leave shorts in dye for about 1 minute and then squeeze off excess dye.

** Some colour will fade during the squeezing and washing step, so do soak longer if necessary.

Step 7: Leave shorts to dry entirely before washing. 

**At this stage the dye is very easily transferable to any material, do place a protective sheet below shorts if laying on the ground to dry.

After a wash, we have our green ombre shorts! You can add studs, draw, sew your shorts. And this ombre tutorial is not only limited to shorts but also you can try on plain dress, shoes, jackets, pull-overs and anything you like! 

TRY YOURS NOW!

SOME INSPIRATIONS!

*credits to Tumblr

Do not hesitate to email me at sales.diys@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding this tutorial. 

AND Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! :D