A super fun project with wearable results!  ...

 

Want to get the kids involved in a super fun craft?  How about tie dying? Tie dying is a really great project that kids from young to old can participate in. It is such a great creative expression, and the results are fantastic.

You can collect all of the supplies you need at your local craft or discount store. Tie dying really is easy if you know the basics.

Start with cotton rich shirts, the more cotton the better and wash and dry them. Get your kids in on the act of tie dying and make some wearable art today.

Supplies:   (available at local craft and discount stores)

White cotton T-shirts that have been pre-washed

Soda ash

Fabric dye in red and blue

Rubber bands

Rubber gloves

Gallon zip lock baggies

2 4 ounce plastic bottles

Dampen the shirts and create your tie dye pattern by pinching or folding the fabric. Place rubber bands around the pinched area, the fabric under the bands will remain white. Next soak your shirts in a soda ash and water mixture for about 20 minutes this opens the cotton fibers and prepares them to take the dye.

Put on rubber gloves to mix your dyes, one teaspoon of powdered dye for 4 ounces of warm water, mixed in plastic bottles. Squeeze all excess liquid from shirts and apply the dye.

Carefully place the wet, dyed shirts into individual zip locks, use additional plastic wrap if desired to keep parts of shirt from touching each other. Let the shirt rest for 1 day, this allows the dye to be absorbed. Rinse the shirts in the sink before removing the rubber bands.

Machine wash shirts with detergent several times before washing with other clothes.