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Description

Using fruit & veg to dye items such as T-Shirts or bags

Resources

Fruit or vegetables such as blueberries, beetroot and red cabbage
Jars or glasses (to put your dye in)
Old white cotton t-shirt/bag
Elastic bands
Sandwich bag or plastic bag without holes
A pan
Water
Rubber gloves, apron and newspaper or an oven tray with a wire rack over it
Something to apply the dye with (we used an old clean plastic sauce bottle, but you could use a spoon)

Instructions

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/thingstodo/bp-natural-tie-dye-george-ezra

Before you start, make sure to grab some rubber gloves and an apron and cover any surfaces with newspaper. Natural dyes may stain your clothes, hands and surfaces so be careful and get permission from a grown-up first.

Use the colour chart to help you decide which colour, or colours you’d like to make. Experimentation is key here, so don’t pick your favourite t-shirt to dye on, try with an old one, or one you don’t wear anymore first!

TOP TIP: Natural dyes work best on natural materials like cotton, silk and wool. If you start with a light material, the colours will stand out more, so we recommend dying onto white cotton fabric so your result will be bright and bold.

Colour chart
White onion skin = Orange

Blueberries = Purple

Beetroot = Pink/red

Orange Peel = Yellow

Red Cabbage = Blue

Red Cabbage + vinegar = Hot pink

Red Cabbage + Add bicarbonate of soda = super bright blue

STEP 1 - Make your natural dye

Carefully chop, smash or peel your chosen fruit or vegetable and add to a pan.

Pour in just enough water to cover your ingredients and bring it to the boil. Simmer on a low heat to bring out the beautiful colours - get a grown up to help with this.

TOP TIP: The longer you boil your ingredients the richer the colour you’ll get.

When the liquid is cool, carefully strain into your jug. Congratulations you have just created your very own natural dye!

STEP 2 - Create your patterns

Grab your t-shirt and elastic bands. Twist, fold, crumple or scrunch up your t-shirt. Use the elastic band to fasten your folds and scrunches in place. Make loops around the fabric to create circle patterns or wrap the bands around your twisted t-shirt in any way you like to create different effects. Get creative here, it’s fun to experiment and see which pattern and style of binding you like best.

Top Tip: A damp t-shirt works best, but make sure to squeeze out any excess water, as tie-dying doesn't work well if the material is very wet.

Fun Fact: The elastic bands will protect some of the t-shirt from the dye, and that's how you make your amazing patterns!

STEP 3 - Get creative with colour

Once you’re happy with how your t-shirt is bound, it's time to apply your dye. Wear gloves to protect your hands from staining and make sure your surface is covered in newspaper, you're standing over a sink or you are using an oven tray over a wire rack (like us). Pour, spoon-on or dip your t-shirt into the dye. We used an old plastic sauce bottle for more control when applying the dye.

Top Tip: If using a plastic bottle, squeeze the empty bottle into the dye and when you let go it will suck in the dye, ready for you to apply.

STEP 4 – Let the dye set and reveal your creation

Once you are happy with your dye application, put the t-shirt in the sandwich bag and leave overnight. In the morning take the elastic bands off to reveal your pattern. Rinse with cold water until the water runs clear, then squeeze out any excess liquid. Leave it to air dry.

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