Tie-Dye Flannel Button Up

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Cotton Flannel
• Tie Dye Accessory Kit
• Rit All-Purpose Dyes in Fuchsia, Purple and Scarlet
• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
• Plastic Bucket or Container for Dyeing
• Wire Rack
• Large Metal Spoon
• Paper Towels
• Plastic Table Cover
• Salt
• Dish Soap

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prewash shirt to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption. Leave damp.
2. Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
3. Lay flannel flat on work area and decide where to place the center of the spiral. Then position your fingers around the center point and slowly begin to twist fabric in a spiral direction. Loosely wrap rubber bands around fabric to hold spiral together.
4. Wearing rubber gloves, mix 2 tablespoons of well-shaken liquid dye or 1/2 teaspoon of powdered dye with two cups of hot tap water. 
5. Add 1 tablespoon of salt.
6. Pour into a squirt bottle. Shake well.
7. Repeat for each color.
8. Place fabric on baking rack with a tray under it. This is very important because it keeps the dye from puddling under the fabric. Squirt each dye color on fabric as desired. If you are trying to achieve sections of white space, purposely leave certain sections of the fabric white and undyed.
9. After the dye is applied, let the fabric sit for 30 minutes to allow the dye to absorb.
10. To set the dye, do the following while the fabric is still tied up:
11. Optional: Apply Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative with a squeeze bottle, which will enhance the colors and reduce bleeding. Mix 2 tablespoons of well-shaken ColorStay Dye Fixative with water and apply liberally to both sides of the fabric.
12. We strongly recommend using your microwave, as long as the fabric does not have any metal parts on it. After applying ColorStay Dye Fixative, wrap the fabric in plastic wrap and seal the edges. Place the wrapped fabric on a paper towel in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Plastic will puff up, creating a heat chamber that helps bond the dye with the fabric. Once the microwave is done, remove the fabric and open the plastic, letting it cool down. If a microwave is not available or feasible to use and it is a hot sunny day, lay the wrapped fabric out in the sun for an hour.
13. If a microwave is not available or feasible to use and it is a hot sunny day, lay the wrapped fabric out in the sun for an hour.
14. Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear. This is very important to prevent unabsorbed dye from bleeding into any white areas. If possible, rinse with the fabric bundle sitting flat on the baking rack. If it is held vertically, some of the unabsorbed dye could run into white areas as it is rinsed off.
15. Carefully remove rubber bands with a scissors and unfold the fabric.
16. Wash in cold water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.