Creative Prizes - Tie Dye 101

 Last month, at the Contemporary Craft Retreat in Canberra, I was lucky enough to win two prizes in the raffle. One was a Tie Dye Kit - it looked very simple to use so who better to try it out than four year old grandson, William.

Step 1. After reading the instructions, mix up the soda ash solution ( with supervision) and place the clothes/fabric to be dyed into the solution. 

 Step 2: Make sure the fabric is totally immersed in the solution and let it soak for 30 minutes. That is such a long time when you're four!

 Step 3. While waiting for the fabric to soak, get ready for the dyeing  - plastic tablecloth, plastic gloves and plastic apron.

Step 4: Tie  the garment with rubber bands in various places ... I would have liked a few more ties, but who would argue with the creative instrincts of a four year old? 

  . Step 5: Apply dye from squeeze bottles - much easier for children than any other method.

 Step 6. Leave the dyed garments overnight before rinsing out. We put ours in plastic containers as they needed to be transported home at the end of the day.

 Step 7: Rinse out and admire. William made these singlets for his little baby cousins and a T shirt for his  other little cousin who is two. Colours are  a little different in real life

My other prize was a set of Fabric markers, so I used them on my Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead doll for the Art Dolls Only Challenge.

I also used some coloured pencils on the body section, and acrylic paint on the exposed seam edge. 

Thanks,  organisers of the Contemporary Craft Retreat - I loved using my prizes!