Turn plain canvas sneakers into a wearable expression of your creativity. In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to dye cotton trainers with Rit All-Purpose Dye, then personalise them with bold doodles using FreeFlow Paint Markers. Pick your colours, play with patterns and create a pair that’s uniquely yours.
Supplies:
- 100% Cotton Canvas Sneakers
- Container for Dyeing or stainless steel sink
- Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye
- Rit Freeflow Markers in desired colors
- Electrical or vinyl tape
- Scissors
- Salt
- Dish Soap
- Iron
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Rubber Gloves
- Tongs
Time: 2 Hours
Difficulty: Intermediate
Instructions:
- Pre-wash Canvas sneakers in warm, soapy water without any fabric softener. This helps to remove any finishes or stains that may interfere with dye absorption.
- Dry shoes completely.
- Once dry, carefully cover the sides and bottom of the soles with tape.
- Wearing gloves, fill container or stainless steel sink with 3 gallons of hot water, ideally 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and carefully add to the dyebath.
- Add 1 cup of salt and 1 tsp of dish soap.
- Add ½ cup of well-shaken All-Purpose Rit Dye or follow desired color formula recipe and mix well.
- Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye. If color is too dark, add more water.
- Dip sneakers sole side up into the dyebath.
- When desired color is achieved, remove sneakers from dyebath and rinse under cold water to remove any unabsorbed dyes until rinse water runs clear.
- Remove tape from soles immediately and rinse away dye that may have seeped in.
- Wash in cold water with mild detergent and air dry.
- Once dry, place insoles back into sneakers and re-lace.
- Use bullet nib to draw organic shapes onto sneakers and fill in the shapes with the brush nib.
- Allow first layer to dry and apply a second layer if needed.