Though expressions like groovy and far out lost popularity decades ago, the colorful, retro flair of tie-dye has timeless appeal. A pair of tie-dyed shoelaces is enough to liven up a pair of sneakers without overwhelming your outfit and a whimsical way to express your individual style. Whether you want an entire rainbow on your feet, or just a couple of colors, start with 100 percent white cotton laces for the best results.
Step 1
Lay plastic bags or newspapers over your work area to protect against spills.
Step 2
Wet the shoelaces in clean water, then squeeze out excess moisture. This aids in color absorption.
Step 3
Tie loose knots in the shoelaces every inch or so or cinch loops in the laces at 1-inch intervals with rubber bands. Set laces aside.
Step 4
Put on rubber gloves to keep your skin and fingernails free of dye.
Step 5
Mix each color of dye in a separate container. Start with a 50/50 mix of water and food color, dye, or fabric paint; 1 tablespoon of each should be sufficient. If the resulting color is too light, add more color; if too dark, add more water.
Step 6
Lower a knotted portion or loop of your laces into one dye container and hold in place for a few seconds until desired color is achieved.
Step 7
Continue to lower different sections of your shoelaces into different containers of dye until you are satisfied with the pattern.
Step 8
Lay the shoelaces flat on a plastic bag to dry.
Step 9
Untie the knots or remove the rubber bands only when the shoelaces are completely dry.