The Chronicles of Home: Make a Modern Tie Dye Pillow

I've never really been into tie dye that much. It's always evoked images of multi-colored t-shirts from the 1970's for me, and not in a good way. Then this summer I was working with a local client on some updates for her living room and she showed me this photo from House Beautiful.

It was revelatory for me - modern tie dye. Of course! It was whimsical and colorful and sophisticated. A perfect dash of something unexpected. The woman I was working with was drawn to the pattern for a couple accent pillows, but the chairs were covered with fabric from a vintage caftan and so wasn't something we could buy anywhere.

I was pretty sure I could recreate the look and after doing a little research came up with a small list of supplies:

Soda ash fixer

Rubber bands

Royal blue dye

White cotton fabric

Navy cotton fabric

Before you start you'll want to wash and dry the fabrics.

Cut a square of the white fabric (click HERE for a tutorial on making a pillow with a zipper, including how to measure and cut your fabric).

Pinch the white fabric in the center and lift it up so it hangs down.

Smooth it with your hand to make a roll shape and wrap rubber bands around the roll every inch or two.

Place in a bucket with water and soda ash fixer (directions for dilution and soaking time are on the package).

Mix your dye with water according to the package directions and place in a glass measuring cup or squeeze bottles.

Lay your fabric that's been soaked in soda ash fixer on a protected surface - I used old plastic bags.

Generously pour the dye over the fabric and let sit according to package directions.

Rinse under cold water until the water runs clear then remove the rubber bands, wash in hot water, and dry to make the dye permanent.

When I was finished I was left with two tie-dyed squares of fabric.

To turn then into the pillows I followed my directions for making a pillow with a zipper, though I positioned the zipper about 1/4 of the way up the back of the pillow instead of at the seam - I find this easier when working with edge trim like welting.

I made and attached the welting by following my tutorial for making a pillow with custom welting HERE.

The finished pillows added just the perfect punch to the newly upholstered white wingback chairs - I love pairing something kind of funky and colorful with something neutral and traditional.