Video:Types of Dye for Tie-Dye

SHARE ON                

Transcript:Types of Dye for Tie-Dye

As a fashion that began in the 1960s and 1970s, and a craft project still popular today, tie-dye continues to be a great way to make a unique statement with color and a fun way to show kids about what happens when colors are combined in different ways. There are a number of types of dye that can be used to create these looks.

RIT Dye

One of the most popular dyes is RIT. This is a brand of dye that has been around for a long time. It is low-cost and comes in a wide variety of colors. It is also readily available at grocery stores, retailers, and online stores. Many who have done tie-dye projects rave about how well this particular type of dye works. The brand has also partnered with other companies to make tie-dye kits that come with all the supplies you need to finish a shirt or other apparel item. However, a disadvantage of this particular dye, known as an all-purpose dye for its ability to work on various fabrics, is the chemical content. Some even believe it contains carcinogens, which might be a deal-breaker for some parents.

Natural Purple Tie-Dye

But fear not, there is a natural route. These include dyes made from flowers, bark, and vegetables. Having been used for centuries as tried and true dyes, this is a good option to consider. When using natural dyes, you can make these yourself with some natural ingredients. The only downside to this is that it can take considerable time. You also have to make a different recipe for each color you want to use for the tie-dye project. Let's start with purple dye, which is made primarily from red cabbage. You will need to chop up two heads of red cabbage and let them simmer in hot water for about one to two hours or until the color has drained from the cabbage leaves. From there, you can strain the colored mixture into a bowl and use this to dye your article of clothing. The longer you leave it, the more intense the color will become.

Natural Yellow Tie-Dye

That may not seem so bad, but if you want yellow dye made from natural products, this just may make you cry. It's because it's made from onions. Peel the skins off of six to eight yellow onions until you reach three-fourths of a cup. Place the onion skins in a pot and simmer these like the cabbage until all the color drains from the skins. However, for this, you will need to add the article of clothing to the pot after removing the drained skins and continue simmering. You will have to monitor this closely to ensure that there are no accidents like a fire. Who knew that tie-dying can be such a dangerous proposition?

Natural Brown Tie-Dye

The last dye color is quite a bit easier and only requires parting with some precious coffee grounds to make a brown color. A much simpler process, this one simply requires one cup of coffee grounds and one cup of water mixed together. After soaking the grounds for a few minutes, submerge your article of clothing to dye. Soak for 24 hours or longer, depending on the color you want to create. There are many other natural products that can make other colors. After all, how do you think cavemen did their tie-dyeing without RIT? Whatever route you choose, be sure to allow the fabric to dry completely between each dying session. Using a combination of half white vinegar and half water will help set the color.