DIY Distressed (Bleached) Flannel Tutorial

[@luvslagos]

I really prefer your method of using the spray bottle over dipping, even though it takes longer. Much more control of bleaching process. 👍

[@macsdoodles203]

Thank you! Yes, definitely takes more patience but it causes less damage to the fabric which is a plus, too!

[@tyracortez6449]

Thank you so much for your tutorial! It was perfect and my flannel shirt turned out so cute. Totally prefer the look opposed to dipping!

[@pennyblakeley8999]

I am new at this so I am trying your way because I like the way the shirts turn out and as a rehabber I like this style!

[@DisappearN2LIFE]

Pretty good. I like to use a hair dryer to speed up the process. And I cut out pic and parts from other shirts I use on shirts and pants. Add with spray adhesive. Then loosley sew by hand around edges. Sometimes I also use belt buckles. Never be afraid to see how far creativitycan take ya. Nice work.

[@augusta8901]

Heat accelerates the bleaching process, but is very damaging if it dries out. People forget to add that in and I've seen videos when they dry completely. You only want to affect the dye, not the fibres.

[@augusta8901]

Lovely technique And excellent instructions!

[@sharonvanderpool4611]

I love the spray bottle instead of dipping the shirt areas in a tub of bleach 😊😊

[@JessicaBrede]

Thanks for a fantastic tutorial! I love the ombré effect that you get, and the heat transfer really tops it off!

[@debbierbrtsn]

Do you add card board inside shirt to protect? Does the bleach bleed through? Love the shirt.

[@lorriehogan425]

Well looks like everyone gets a flannel for Christmas. Ty. Can’t wait to try.

[@chrissy1310]

Love it! Easy!

[@paigemorgan9540]

Great tutorial loved it I’m gonna try this can’t wait

[@dbaier5047]

Loved the tutorial. Quick question.... how to you transfer what you want to put on the shirt onto fabric?

[@southernicedtea9925]

With a Cricut and HTV

[@TerriDarco-q6c]

Did you just use regular vinyl for your design on the back and cut it out with your circuit or silhouette?

[@meredithrae7938]

Awesome love it!

[@chasityburlison5321]

Love this!! I’m definitely trying it out tomorrow!! How did you dilute your bleach for this?

[@macsdoodles203]

I use 50:50 water:bleach. :)

[@michellegonzales4204]

Did this!! Love it 💖

[@macsdoodles203]

Yay! Would love to see a picture!

[@Paytonscloset559]

Does your flannel need to be a specific type of cotton/poly count? Mine shredded in the dryer 😩

[@emmanuelameyer3344]

cool method.

[@crystalp9323]

I do mix my bleach with water but it still ate through the flannel...help plz. I love your flannels

[@janstetler9888]

Do you use straight bleach or a mixture?

[@michellesanchez5045]

How do I stop the bleach from spreading to much beyond the area that I want? Am I over spraying too much? It processed beyond the area that I sprayed.

[@VTseXybiotch]

What is the key to getting it a white bleach instead of a brown? I cannot figure out how to get it white!

[@danyllmcintyre4376]

How long did you actually process the bleach?

[@franheazlit4682]

What is in the spray bottle?? pure bleach or a mix of bleach and water?

[@raistlinsghost]

Did I miss the part about the solution used during this process? Is it bleach, bleach/water mixture?

[@allisonreimers9411]

Is the bleach diluted at all or full strength?

[@katiebohn2940]

Does the bleach soak through to the front?

[@maryanndavino3672]

Do you put something in between the shirt?

[@frankiestiletto]

Hi when washing with plain water does the bleach smell go all away

[@catherinepliess2246]

What is in the spray bottle

[@kathyvalentine1543]

Is the spray bottle all bleach or diluted with water? Thank you

[@macsdoodles203]

50:50 bleach to water!

[@smummer3631]

Just a question...do you have to have sunlight or can you use heat to lighten the fabric? Love your tutorials!!

[@macsdoodles203]

I actually havent tried anything but sunlight! I was thinking about doing a video where I test different methods like a hair dryer, heat lamp, etc. to see if it works the same!

[@macsdoodles203]

So a follow up to your question, after some research heat activates some nasty fumes when applied to bleach so I wouldn't suggest using any other method inside. I did find that using a UVB and heat lamp (that you would get for a lizard) helped! I hung it out in my garage. It did take longer than having sunshine though.

[@darlatrueblood6758]

What is the percentage of the bleach mixture in your spray bottle? Do you mix it with water?

[@macsdoodles203]

@@darlatrueblood6758 I do about a 50/50 mixture.

[@hollijaylawson4224]

Do you spray the bleach mixture on a dry flannel or wet flannel

[@macsdoodles203]

I do dry for this technique!

[@danyllmcintyre4376]

And....did you dilute your bleach?

[@ebscout1]

Please tell me again how to neutralize one bleach is applied

[@griseldaverdugo1755]

I am selling these right now & although it’s a slow start ... I’m seeing a lot of buyers! I use 100% cotton flannels... wash cold & airy dry for care instructions correct? What do you use to deliver your instructions with ? TIA!

[@Michelle_9_27]

Someone stated that the 100 cotton flannels will get holes in them after a few washes. Have you found that to be the case?

[@macsdoodles203]

I say handwash only and hang dry. I also have a disclaimer that the garmet is distressed and may continue distressing with wear and wash.

[@stephnemitz5116]

​@macsdoodles203 can u share the disclaimer

[@mikaylasmith4181]

Love it! Btw: How do you spell your name? Because we’re name twins!

[@macsdoodles203]

Thank you! I spell it McKayla. 😊

[@scarlettwoodcox9180]

You never said if you weee useing 100% bleach or if it was diluted??? Tia

[@sarahouellette8368]

You can also just spray it with vinegar when you get to the point where you feel it’s been processed enough and that will set it in & stop the processing.

[@macsdoodles203]

Actually you should never mix bleach and vinegar as it creates toxic fumes!

[@MariaPerez-wp8hv]

Maybe a dumb question, but I want to make sure I’m doing this right! Do you mix in part water and part bleach or is it straight bleach in the bottle?

[@macsdoodles203]

I usually do about 50% water and 50% bleach.

[@Luv2Scrap24-7]

@@macsdoodles203 What type of bleach brand do you use?

[@TheMichelleLeah]

Whats the best fabric content to bleach?

[@maryperreault5900]

Thank you for the tutorial. I am adding HTV for the first time to the flannel. It seems like the normal setting for t-shirts is not enough. Do you have some advice for adding the HTV to flannel?

[@macsdoodles203]

Not sure what HTV you are using but I generally stick around 320-325 for flannels. Also usually warm or cool peel works better than hot peel because it gives it more time to adhere. Also there is a lot of extra materials with flannels vs a tee so increase your pressure and make sure everything is laying flat on the heat press so you get even pressure. You don't want any buttons or seams getting in the way of the pressure.

[@tenikaclemmer7561]

What’s your bleach:water ratio??

[@marycollier4192]

How do you get the words on the back

[@brookefinney9369]

Do you put anything in between the shirt while your bleaching it or is it just not enough liquid to transfer to the other side?

[@macsdoodles203]

For most of my shirts, I do such a fine mist, that I don't put anything between the shirt. It is not enough to soak to the other side. The only time I put something in between is when I am doing a vinyl stencil. I don't want to risk anything from the back soaking to the front and ruining the design!

[@debbyvincent6706]

why is my shirts mostly orange where I bleach them

[@angieschmit1956]

I'm having a hard time selling my bleached flannels and tees, I'm wondering any advice for a successful business like you are doing?

[@macsdoodles203]

It took me about a year to build up a clientele base. I advertised on facebook, Instagram, facebook marketplace. I also did giveaways and made free items for close family and friends so they could pass my name along. Word of mouth did wonders for me!

[@angieschmit1956]

@@macsdoodles203 ok great thank you I will keep plugging away! Nice to know it took you some time too to get successful, I suppose your brand and all that helps create repeat business and trust.

[@macsdoodles203]

@@angieschmit1956 Yes for sure!! I plan on doing weekly videos starting in the new year and if there is any interest, I will do videos on marketing, branding, and social media.

[@amyshelton3250]

What size are your decals on the back?

[@macsdoodles203]

Usually around 11 inches wide!

[@KuntryGurl64]

Love this idea! Are you using straight bleach?

[@macsdoodles203]

50:50 bleach to water 😊

[@TheBguenth]

Ok. Let me see if I’ve got this. Correct me if not and thx! 1. Spray with 50/50 water to bleach 2. Spray with peroxide and water 50/50? 3. Wash in hot water

[@angieschmit1956]

What fabric material works best for you on your flannels and tees?

[@macsdoodles203]

Cotton bleaches the best but you have to be careful because it also eats away at cotton so can cause rips and shredding in the material. Polyester/cotton blends usually work better because the polyester isnt affected by the bleach, so the garment fibers stay stronger. It is trial and error because sometimes things just won't bleach. If you have to use 100% cotton, definitely dilute the bleach and only hand wash and lay flat to dry.

[@angieschmit1956]

@@macsdoodles203 do you ever use 100% bleach and for what applications if you do? I have seen people swear by 100% bleach but I've always had a diluted mix so far.

[@macsdoodles203]

@@angieschmit1956 I would be very careful with 100% bleach - only on shirts that have a higher poly count (like 65%) but I haven't found it necessary to use to achieve the look I want. Plus diluted bleach saves your money. :D

[@donnaf.327]

What is the makeup of the solution in the spray bottle for the first step?

[@macsdoodles203]

Bleach was a 50/50 ratio of bleach and water. Peroxide was 1/10 peroxide and 9/10 water.

[@KristaJoLaster]

Does it have to be hot outside for it to work ? It’s cold here where I live !

[@macsdoodles203]

There are different opinions on that! Lol Some people will say bleach will bleach no matter what but in my personal experience it is better to have sun, regardless of whether it is cold or not. I get much brighter and whiter shirts in the sun, even though it has only been in the 30's here is Missouri.

[@KristaJoLaster]

Thank you!

[@Page1958]

How much bleach to water or is it straight bleach?

[@macsdoodles203]

I use a 50:50 ratio!

[@laurensharp6131]

Is this 100% cotton

[@sheyanneburmeister9209]

What did you use for the “momshell”?

[@macsdoodles203]

Its heat transfer vinyl! (Iron on vinyl)

[@meganshelton1829]

What about washing?

[@macsdoodles203]

I wash in cold and hang or line dry. 😊

[@hrom9]

@@macsdoodles203 what´s the brand of the shirt you used for this?

[@macsdoodles203]

@@hrom9 This flannel is George brand from Walmart!

[@hrom9]

@@macsdoodles203 Thnaks.

[@pennythirey393]

How do you put the words on