I had a few bottles of dye left over from last time we tie dyed fabric. It’s been four years. The dye comes in the form of powder, which you dissolve in water, before use. The instructions suggests that 45 minutes after being mixed, it starts to lose its intensity. Oops. Missed that one then. Even so, it seemed wrong to just pour it away. Time to experiment.
I cut up an old cot blanket and gave the halves to the younger two children. (Eldest had her nose in a book.) I made sure they understood that the dyes may not work. It was our tester. We have a bigger project in the near future.
In the shade of one of the apple trees, they twisted, tied and added dye. One of the hounds decided that she would join them, although wisely kept a sensible distance. The pieces were then wrapped in cling film and left for a couple of days.
Today we unwrapped them and washed away the excess dye that hadn’t taken. The yellow and green didn’t hold, but the other dyes weren’t too bad. All the fun of testing and discovery.
The first time we tie-dyed, it was such a mess. We are talking clothes, hands, hair and grass. Thank goodness it was a wet summer that year. Nothing escaped the power of the dye. I was glad we did it outside. To be honest, that is probably why it has taken four years to attempt it again. With a few more years under the belts, these two managed it with no problem. No mess. At all. The advantage of crafting with older children.
It becomes more difficult to find a craft that they all want to do with me, or even one to one. They have their own ideas and talents, which have left me behind. (You should their drawings and paintings. Not in my comfort zone.) I can create a space, but they don’t need me in the same way. Tie-dying seems to be one area we can recapture craft time again.
On to the next project. It is much bigger. After seeing how they tackled this test piece, I’m confident that they will enjoy next time even more. With fresh dyes.
It was a little exhausting for some. I’m glad to report that she escaped all the dye, which is kind of funny as her name is Blue. No joke! Not often you can say you’re doing a bit of tie dye with a dog called Blue. Unless you’re us, of course, and, even then, not that often.
Good effort. Love the colours.
Thanks Louise
Love the finished tie dyed sheets, really need to give this a go again this year
Thanks, Helen. I hope you have fun.
I used to do this! The end product is lovely and well looks like fun to do. The dye I use in my country need ssalt to set I wonder why.
You have the loveliest photos. So bright outside! #mmbc
I’ve used dyes that need salt too. I think this one must have it mixed in. I think it is meant to help the fabric take up the dye. You always leave the loveliest comments!
A lovely project, I’m glad you didn’t throw it away. #pocolo
It was worth a go!
What a lovely little project for the kids to do, it’s always fun for them to get outside and creative in the sunshine. It’s a shame that not all of the colours took but at least they managed to get some nice bright purples and blues. I bet they can’t wait to have a go at the next project you’ve got planned with some fresh dye and a bigger canvas!
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
It is nice to do this one outside, although a whole lot less mess than last time. They’ve been wanting to do the next project for a few years when we organized the supplies. Just waiting for a sunny day when they are all ready to do it.
They do look like they had fun and they look fab! #countrykids
Thanks Karen. They did enjoy it.
We’ve never tried tie dying but it looks like you guys had a lot of fun and didn’t turn out too bad! Good thing you didn’t dye Blue, blue 😉 #CountryKids
Or red. That would have been plain silly.
My cousins and I used to tie dye our t-shirts when we were in our teens. I would love to do this with T, I remember loving every single minute of doing it 🙂 #countrykids
I’m sure T will enjoy it as much as you did.
I’ve not done tie dye in years! Wouldn’t have thought to do it with my kid. When he is older maybe. I love the colours you got shame a few didn’t work. Hope the next bigger project goes well! #countrykids
Yes. Wait till he is older.
i’m rather impressed the tie diye worked as well as it did, considering it’s 4 years old, i guess it never hurts to experiment and a lot more fun can be had from waiting to see and guessing what may happen
I just couldn’t throw it away.
The tie dye sheets look great. I loved reading your post as I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed this activity many years ago and will be fun to try with my children sometime. #CountryKids
I hope they enjoy it. And you too, of course!
I haven’t done this in years must try it again fab job #tweensteensandbeyond
I think you have to leave a space of a few years. Always best. Otherwise you end up with a house full of tie dye and a yearning for everything in the 70s.
It is lovely that you have something creative you can all do together. The photos are beautiful and your tweens certainly look like they are having fun. Thanks for joining us Cheryl. #TweensTeensBeyond
Crafting with them happens less often, but maybe that makes it more memorable.
Tie dying is so much fun. We used to do it occasionally at my church craft group. My two are still too young really for this (I can just imagine the mess!) but it’s such a good craft to do with older children. Great idea to do it outside too and use old cot sheets. Love the end result 🙂 #countrykids
A craft to wait for. It does give great results.
This has given me an idea for a project I am working on! Thank you!!!! I love the finished results – very trendy and tribal. I have a beach towel like this wrapped in my daughters birthday goodies. Great idea #tweensteensbeyond
I’ve never tried dying towels. I bet it looks amazing.
This is so up my street! I absolutely love tie dye and I have done it several times with my girls. I think we need to do it again this summer. Thanks so much for sharing with us at #TweensTeensBeyond
I think tie-dying works best as a craft every few years. Otherwise you end up wearing more tie-dye than you ever though possible.