diy ombre denim dyeing

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Unwilling to part with these pants because they fit so well, I got the idea to give them an ombre dye job makeover. Technically, they were already ombre, with the bottom hemline being a grunge black, slowly fading into a dirt brown and then a dust tan. But I figured concealing that ombre with a blue ombre fade would be prettier and much more socially acceptable to wear in public.

SUPPLIES

• Rit Dye (I used Denim Blue)
• A bucket
• Rubber gloves
• Measuring cup
• Laundry detergent
• Salt
• Warm-hot water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill the bucket with warm-hot water, a tbsp of laundry detergent and a handful of salt. I used my bathtub for an easy fill.
2. Soak the pants completely in the water. Ring out excess water and remove.
   
3. Fill a measuring cup with 2 cups hot water and the whole package of Rit Dye. Stir until completely dissolved.
4. Pour in ¼ cup of the dye mixture into the bucket. Submerge jean legs into the dye bath up to the point where you want the ombre fade to start. Let soak for 10 minutes. Ring out excess liquid and remove. Add another ¼ cup dye to the bath and submerge jean legs again, this time with a few less inches in the bucket. Soak 5 minutes. Ring out excess liquid and remove. Repeat 3 more times, adding ½ cup dye to the bath each time, and soaking for 5 minutes.
   
5. Rinse your newly dyed jeans with cold water until it runs clear (excess dye has been removed). Let air-dry.
   
6. To get the full “fade” effect and blend the visible lines dividing each color shade, I then hand-washed the jeans in cold water, being sure to keep the top, white part out of the sink (to avoid color runs).

This technique can be used on denim of any color to create the ombre look. Bye-bye dirty, stained jeans; hello, trendy ombre pants!