The first instalment of our step-by-step DIY series are these awesome dip-dye shorts,  created by Heather, who has a fab blog called Effie's Make Up Box!

Before getting started on this project, make sure you wear old clothes (or ones that would look cool with the odd splash of dye!) and work in a safe environment - tiled floors or a garden work swimmingly!

Start out with a pair of denim shorts which are either white or light in colour.

Choose two colours of dye. Heather chose green and violet shades by Dylon (£3.49, Hobbycraft).

Follow the  mixing instructions and fill a bucket with one of the dye colours. Dip the shorts in the bucket so that the dye almost touches the waist band & hold them there for about 5 minutes so the dye can soak in.

Lift the shorts until only the bottom half is in the dye & hold them there for another 5 minutes to get an ombre fading dye effect.

Once you're happy with the colour, let the shorts  dry a little so that the green dye doesn't run when you turn the shorts upside down to dye the waist band.

Whilst waiting for them to dry, if your shorts have a tag or an area you'd like to keep from getting coloured, cover the tag in Vaseline, to protect it from the dye.

Next, fill the bucket with the second dye colour and dip the top of the shorts into the dye, holding them there until you're happy with the colour.

Wash the shorts following the instructions on the dye packaging and leave to dry.

For maximum DIY effect, add some conical studs to your shorts. You can buy them in most haberdasheries or on eBay!

Lastly, roll your shorts up and you're good to go!

Here's our pick of cheap white shorts to get dip-dyeing with!

(Top to bottom)

Matalan, £10
H&M, £7.99
George at Asda, £6