SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- White Aprons
- Dye
- Gloves
- Rubber bands
- Bucket or sink (if using a sink stick to galvanized or metal to avoid staining from dye)
- Cookie sheet or shallow plastic tub (to catch excess dye)
- Gallon Plastic Bag
- Hanger
- Old Towel or Rag
- Washing Machine
DIRECTIONS:
- Decide on what design you want to use and the colors you want for your apron. If you want there to be white in your design continue to step 2, if you want the body of your apron to be a color, first dye the apron the desired color by submerging in a dye bath and then allowing to dry thoroughly before continuing to step 2. Remember you will want to start light, you cannot dye the base of the apron dark and then dye over it. Also know the color you dye the apron will affect the other colors applied on top of it. For the one example we base dyed the apron grey and then added black dye later on.
- Lay the apron on a flat surface and create your design, holding in place with rubber bands. For a spiral design gather in the center and twist, flattening as you go. Once you have the circle formed, secure in place with rubber bands. Fold straight across the apron pleating to create a horizontal design. For a splotchy pattern just gather and crumple the apron and rubber band in place. Experiment with different techniques of folding to create different looks.
- Place your rubber banded apron on a cookie sheet or plastic tub. Wearing rubber gloves, apply the dye to your apron. Use an array of colors or just a few, experiment with different colors and mixing them together. The more dye you add the more saturated the colors will be. The darker dyes will over power the lighter ones so try not to put them too close.
- Place the dyed apron into a bag with the rubber bands still around it for 7-8 hrs.
- Rinse shirts in cold water to remove excess dye.
- Wring out any excess water and let the shirt air dry on a drying rack or hanging on a hanger. Place an old towel under to catch any dripping water that may contain dye and ruin surfaces or let dry outside.
- After the apron is dry, wash on the cold setting with little detergent. Make sure to wash dyed items alone for the first washing to make sure dye doesn't transfer onto any other garments.