Crafts with Kids: Tie-Dye

Materials Needed

    * Packages of common household dye in as many colors as you’d like to use. (RIT® is a common brand name)
    * Gallon or so of plain white vinegar
    * Large pots or containers, at least one for each color
    * Long strips of scrap wood to use as stirrers
    * Rubber bands
    * Rubber, vinyl or latex gloves
    * Old clothes
    * Clothesline or other area where dyed items can hang to dry

Preparation

   1. Tie dye works best outside; stains grow out of grass, unlike carpets. Set up an area outside on a sunny day with several large (multiple gallon sized) containers. Make sure the containers will tolerate boiling water.

   2. Make sure you have enough gloves and protective smocks for everyone.

   3. Set up an electric burner (or better yet, a campfire if it’s safe and feasible) to boil water.

   4. Read all safety guidelines and instructions on dye package.

   5. Pre-wash the items which will be dyed.

1. Prepare dye according to package directions, mixing the right concentration of dye powder with boiling water in the large containers. Add roughly one cup of vinegar for a 2-3 gallon container to help prevent fading and to make the dye as vibrant as possible on the fabric. Stir well, making sure all the dye concentrate is dissolved.

2. Demonstrate how to twist the item to be dyed tightly in several spots, securing the twists with rubber bands. Instruct the children to make sure the rubber bands are tightly wound around the fabric to prevent the dye from coloring the fabric underneath them. Encourage kids to use their imaginations when applying rubber bands and make predictions about what the final product will look like when it’s dry.

3. Place the item (or the part which will be dyed a particular color) in the dye, and allow it to soak in for several minutes. Refer to dye package for exact manufacturer recommendations.

4. Repeat with other colors as needed. Mixing colors is fine – and a great way to teach an early science lesson about what happens when you combine different hues.

5. Wring items out and rinse in a bucket of fresh water (with another cup of vinegar added). Repeat the rinse and wring action several times.

6. Hang dyed items to dry, preferably on an outdoor clothesline. If you dry indoors, make sure to protect the floor and any items underneath the area where you hang the items to dry.

7. Allow to dry for many hours or overnight.

8. Wash items with laundry detergent and more vinegar before wearing. Follow fabric care tag guidelines when machine drying any item.

Variations

• Experiment with different color combinations and placement of rubber bands. Try moving the bands in between colors to get interesting, multi-colored stripe effects.

• Tie dying works great with just about any natural fiber fabric (and even some synthetic fibers.) Try finding new items to dye, maybe a set of cloth napkins, a beach towel or a pillowcase?

• If you only want to add a tiny bit of a particular color, you can paint the dye right onto the fabric. Use artist paintbrushes to get the color exactly where you want it. For really detailed color, consider using fine-tipped permanent markers (like Sharpie®.)

Make it a Learning Experience

• Investigate how dyes work, and the fascinating history behind them. From what materials did ancient people develop the first dyes? How is dye made today? What are other uses for dye?

• Investigate the reason vinegar will help make the colors on dyed fabric stay bright.

• Investigate the history of tie dye. When did it become popular in the United States? Where can you find examples of tie dye today?

• Find directions for making your own, all-natural dyes online and compare how it works compared to the commercial, synthetic dye.

Clean Up

   1. Dispose of dye water carefully. It can be poured down the drain, but it will stain a variety of fabrics and surfaces.
   2. Spot clean any dye spills with cold water as soon as they happen.
   3. Dispose of all packages and used gloves appropriately.

About the Author:
Jessica Ackerman a publishing consultant for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, interested in decorating with kitchen wall wine racks and antique wall mounted candle holders.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmaus/4244587049/