Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will understand the basic principles of tie dye and how different chemicals can create vibrant colors on fabric.

Materials and Prep

• White cotton t-shirt or fabric
• Rubber bands
• Plastic squeeze bottles
• Water
• Vinegar
• Food coloring or fabric dye
• Plastic gloves
• Plastic tablecloth or garbage bags to protect your workspace
• Newspapers or paper towels for cleanup

Make sure you have a clean workspace and wear old clothes or an apron to protect yourself from stains. Ask an adult for assistance if needed.

Activities

• Create a simple tie-dye design: Fold the fabric in a desired pattern (e.g., accordion fold or spiral), secure it with rubber bands, and apply different colors of dye to each section.
• Experiment with color mixing: Use primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) to create secondary colors (orange, purple, and green) by overlapping dyes on the fabric.
• Explore different dyeing techniques: Try dip-dyeing, where you submerge the fabric partially in dye to create an ombre effect, or try resist dyeing by using objects like coins or rubber bands to create patterns on the fabric.
• Observe the results: Let the fabric sit for a few hours or overnight to allow the dye to set. Rinse the fabric with water until the water runs clear, then hang it to dry.

Talking Points

• Tie dye is a form of fabric dyeing: It involves folding, twisting, or crumpling fabric and securing it with rubber bands before applying colored dye.
• Chemical reactions create the colors: The dye molecules in the colored water or fabric dye react with the fabric fibers, creating new chemical bonds that result in vibrant colors.
• Primary colors: Red, blue, and yellow are called primary colors because they cannot be created by mixing other colors together.
• Secondary colors: When you mix two primary colors together, you get secondary colors. Red + blue = purple, red + yellow = orange, and blue + yellow = green.
• Different dyeing techniques create unique effects: Dip-dyeing, ombre, and resist dyeing are some examples of techniques used to create different patterns and designs on fabric.
• Allowing the dye to set: After applying the dye, it's important to let it sit for a few hours or overnight to allow the chemical reactions to take place and create vibrant colors.
• Rinsing and drying: After the dye has set, the fabric needs to be rinsed with water until the water runs clear. Then, hang it to dry before wearing or using it.