I came across a mention of using Sharpies to create tie-dye effects the other day, so of course I had to look into it

Apparently, you can write or draw on fabric with a Sharpie, and then drizzle rubbing alcohol over it.  The rubbing alcohol causes the ink to run, but because the alcohol evaporates so fast, the shirt dries really fast.  After 24 hours you can set the color in a hot dryer, and voila- no dye tie-dye!

I’m not sure if I would do this with 5 year olds, but I think that older kids would have a lot of fun doing this.

image: The Sharpie Blog

Post from: Blisstree

Fun Faux Tie-Dye With Kids

Kool aide is a great dye. I have used it to die fiber from my sheep before I spun it, I have used it to dye the kids hair, and I have used it to dye fabric. It smells wonderful, you don’t have to worry about the kids getting some on their skin or in their mouths, and you don’t have to worry about VOCs out gassing for centuries. And it is serious fun.

The wool in the image is handspun Jacob’s sheep wool (using just the white) that has been hand dyed with cherry and orange Koolaid. I used a squirt bottle to apply the color in random sections. I knitted Kyrie a winter hat out of this and it was adorable.

So, how do you tie dye with koolaid?

Choose the packets of unsweetened drink mix. The sugar sweetened type will make a huge, sticky, mess. You will want a couple of flavor for best results. Wear the gloves or you will end up looking like a psychedelic alien from Dr. Who.

• T-shirt or fabric
• Unsweetened kool-aid
• Vinegar
• Small plastic bowls, one for each color you want to use
• Plastic gloves
• Rubber bands

1. For each color you that you use put a couple of packages of koolaid in one quart of boiling water and an ounce of vinegar in a plastic bowl. Add more packets for a deeper color.

2. Mix the liquid until the kool-aid is completely mixed in.

3. Pull ad twist sections of the t shirt through rubberbands. Make different sized, random bunches.

4. Dip the ends in the different bowls, without mixing colors. Allow to dry with the rubber bands in place

5. Remove the bands and spread the t shirt out.

5. Set the colors by ironing on a high heat. Use a press cloth.

6. Set aside for 24 hours for the dyes to set.

7. Wash separately the first time. Use cold water and a cold water rinse.

And that is all there is to it. You can do a great home-school study about mordants and dyes and how they are used…or you can just do it and have a great time with your kids.

Image:Marye Audet

Post from: Blisstree

Kool Aid Tie Dye