Tie Dyeing Fun
[45 Minutes]
People have done tie dyeing for hundreds of years. It is thought to have originated in Asia and then spread to Africa. Peace Corps volunteers learned the craft from natives in Africa. The volunteers brought tie dyeing to America in the 1960's. Tie dyeing still remains popular today. Gather together old t-shirts, pillowcases, socks, and shorts and make something for everyone in the family.
You'll need:
• large pot • tie dye • tongs (ADULT ONLY) • rubber bands • wooden spoon • t-shirts, shorts, socks (whatever you wish to dye)
What to do:
- If possible, print out these directions. Read them through with your child before you begin.
- With your child, gather everything you’ll need.
- Put on old clothes and rubber gloves. Tie dyeing can be messy.
- Together with your child, choose the item you wish to dye.
- Take the piece of clothing that you are dyeing and bundle it up in different spots. Help your child wrap rubber bands tightly around each bunch of material. Here are some different ways to tie dye.
If you fold material in vertical pleats and tie the ends with rubber bands you will have horizontal lines.
If you fold the material in horizontal pleats you will end up with vertical lines.
- Together, decide which colors you will use and prepare the dye according to directions.
- Boil the water in a large pot.
- Help your child carefully dip the material you are dyeing into the pot of boiling water and stir for a few minutes.
- Use a pair of tongs and take the clothing out,and then run it under cold water. Let dry.
- Let your child take off the rubber bands. Admire your creation.
Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.
- What do you think will happen when we dip the material into the dye?
- What do you think will happen when we remove the elastic bands?
- What else could we tie dye?
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