During warm weather, tie dyeing is a popular craft.Some parents might be concerned about using clothing dye around young children.It is possible to tie dye fabric with food coloring.While the results won't be as bright and vibrant as clothing dye, the process is still fun and a great introduction to tie dye.
Step 1: To tie dye, choose a white fabric item.
T-shirts are the most popular item to tie dye, but you can also tie scarves, socks, bandanas, etc.If you really want the color to last, use something made from wool, silk, or nylon instead of cotton.Food coloring is acid-based.Cotton, linen, and other plant-based fabrics do not work well with it.
Step 2: It's a good idea to mix equal amounts of water and white vinegar.
Take equal amounts of water and white vinegar and put them in a bowl or bucket.It helps the dye adhere to the fabric, even though it smells bad.Work outside if the smell is bothering you.For small amounts of fabric and child-sized shirts, you can use 1/2 cup (120 mL) of water or white vinegar.For larger amounts of fabric and adult-sized shirts, you should use 2 cups of water and a cup of white vinegar.
Step 3: The garment should be soaked in the solution for an hour.
The fabric is going to be tied into the solution.Press down on it and leave it alone for an hour.If the fabric floats to the surface, weigh it down with a heavy jar.
Step 4: The excess solution should be ringed out.
Take the fabric out of the solution after the hour is up.If you squeeze, twist, or wring it, you'll get the excess water out of it.When you tie dye it, make sure it's damp so you can move onto the next step.
Step 5: Determine what pattern you want.
The areas that you tie are white.The areas that are untied will be colored.If you have a lot of folds in your fabric, they might not get dyed.There are some patterns you can try.
Step 6: If you want a traditional swirl pattern, twist the fabric into a spiral.
If you pick a point on your garment, it doesn't have to be in the middle.To make sure you go through all the layers, pinch the fabric.It's like a cinnamon roll if you twist the fabric into a tight spiral.To hold the spiral together, Wrap 2 rubber bands around it.The method works best on T-shirts.There are mini swirls on a large T-shirt.
Step 7: If you want stripes, wrap rubber bands around your fabric.
Wrap your fabric around a tube.You can roll it in a variety of ways.Wrap the rubber bands around the tube.The rubber bands have to be tight to squeeze the fabric.You can place them randomly or evenly.
Step 8: If you want mini starbursts, pinch and tie tufts of fabric.
You should spread your garment out flat.A little tuft can be created with a fistful of fabric and a rubber band.Do it as many times as you want.The portion that is tied off will make a loud noise.It works best on T-shirts.
Step 9: If you want a random pattern, tie the fabric up.
Attach the fabric to the ball.To form a cross, Wrap 2 rubber bands around it.To help hold the bundle together, add more rubber bands.To make a tight ball, the rubber bands need to be tight.
Step 10: You can choose between 1 to 3 colors.
Less is more when it comes to tie dye.If you use too many colors, they will blend together and make a muddy color.Pick 1 to 3 colors that you like.When mixed, make sure the colors look nice.Don't use red and green in the same way.Try red, pink, yellow, and orange.Try blue, purple, and pink.
Step 11: Take 1/2 cup of water and 8 drops of food coloring and put it in a bottle.
You will need a water bottle for each color.Shake the bottle to mix the dye.Don't be afraid to mix colors.Red and blue make purple.Refer to the packaging for the correct amount of food coloring.If your water bottle has a flat cap, you can use a thumb tack to poke a hole in it.Plastic squeeze bottles can be used.They can be found in the baking section of a craft store.
Step 12: Pick a color and put it on your first section.
The fabric can be placed on a tray or bucket.Take the dye to the first section.The color should fill the entire section.The dye should spread quickly because the shirt is wet from the solution.Food coloring can stain your hands.You might want to wear gloves.
Step 13: The process should be repeated for the other sections.
You can use 1 color for each section.You can do a random pattern or a specific pattern.If you are only using one color for the whole piece, then use it for each section.
Step 14: If necessary, tie dye the back of the fabric.
When you are done dyeing your fabric, flip the bundle over and check the back.If there are white patches on the back, fill them in with more color.You can either use the same pattern or use a different one.
Step 15: Wrap your fabric around the bag.
Tie the bag shut and put the fabric into it.Pressing out the air inside the bag is important.A large, re-sealable plastic baggie can be used to hold the fabric.Zip the bag shut.
Step 16: The fabric should be left in the bag for 8 hours.
The dye will set into the fabric during this time.You might mess up the colors if you move the bag during this time.It's best to leave the bag in a sunny location.The heat of the sun can set the dye into the fabric.
Step 17: Remove the rubber bands from the bag.
You can cut them off with a pair of scissors.Food coloring can stain your hands, so you should use a pair of plastic gloves.If you need to set the fabric down on anything, cover the surface with plastic wrap, wax paper, or aluminum foil first so that you don't stain it.
Step 18: The fabric should be soaked in a solution of water and salt.
The salt and water should be mixed together.Pull the fabric out of the salt-water and wring out the excess water.
Step 19: Wait for the water to run clear before rinsing the fabric.
Turn the faucet on when you hold the item under it.The water should run until it clears.If you want to dip the item into the bucket of water, you need to keep changing the water until it clears.
Step 20: The fabric should be allowed to dry.
You can either toss the fabric into the dryer or hang it up to dry.The heat from the dryer could help set the dye into the fabric.The colors will be faded once the shirt is dry.Food coloring can be used as a dye.If you use silk, wool, or nylon, don't use a dryer.
Step 21: The shirt should be washed separately for the first 3 washes.
Food coloring is more of a stain than a dye.It isn't as permanent as actual clothing dye, and will fade over time.The first few times you wash it, it may release color.If you want to prevent staining the rest of your laundry, you should wash the garment separately for the first 3 washes.