Dip-Dyed Beach Tote Favor Bags

washcloths

September 11, 2012

Dip-Dyed Beach Tote Favor Bags

Posted by

Melony Miller Bradley transformed plain white wash cloths into colorful, miniature beach bag party favors! If you’re planning an Indian summer party or wedding at the beach, these mini tote bags filled with salt water taffy are the perfect sweet ending to a lovely event. Melony dip-dyed the wash cloths into trendy seaside shades of Orange, Peach, Blue Curacao and Margarita using custom recipes from the Rit Color Formula Guide. Then with just a little folding and glueing, she created mini tote bags. What a fun, no-sew easy project!

Melony has been designing full-time for the creative industry since 2004. Her work has been published in national consumer craft and lifestyle magazines, including Women's World, Cloth Paper Scissors, Crafts’n Things, Create & Decorate, Green Craft Magazine, Altered Couture and Somerset Life. Visit her blog, Mel Designs for more crafty inspiration.

Here's the tutorial:

SUPPLIES:

Rit Liquid Dye: Scarlet, Taupe, Aquamarine, Kelly Green, Sunshine Orange
White 100% Cotton Wash Cloth, Standard Size
16” Length Natural Hemp for handles, per bag
Natural Starfish Buttons, one per bag
Gem Stones, Adhesive-Backed, one per bag
Fabric Glue
Scissors
Heavy-Duty Hole Punch
Inkjet Cotton Sheets
Computer & Printer
Dyeing Supplies: Rubber gloves, measuring spoons, measuring cup, four 4-cup plastic containers, stirring spoon, plastic bowl, plastic wrap, paper towels, plastic table cover

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prewash wash cloths to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

2. Cover work surface with plastic table cover. Shake all dye bottles before measuring dye.

3. Wearing rubber gloves, prepare 4 dye baths for dip-dying wash cloths. Melony used 2 color combinations, an Orange/Peach and BlueCuracao/Margarita. Dye recipes are custom colors from the Rit Color Formula Guide. Several wash cloths can be dipped into each dyebath. Note: Before discarding dye baths, place natural starfish buttons in one of the dyebaths (color of your choice) for 30 seconds, remove and place on layers of paper towels to dry.

4.For Dyebath #1 Orange/Peach #464: Measure and mix ¼ teaspoon Scarlet and ¼ teaspoon Sunshine Orange with 1 cup very hot water (140 F). Pour into 4-cup container; stir well. Dip one half of wash cloth into the dyebath. Remove and carefully wring out excess dye.

Note: If the color is too light, add more dye. If the color is too dark, add more water.

Also the dye/water ratio can be increased to dye more wash cloths at one time.

5. For Dyebath #2 Orange/Peach #115: Measure and mix ½ teaspoon Scarlet and ½ teaspoon Taupe with 1 cup very hot water. Pour into 4-cup container; stir well.

Dip other half of wash cloth in the dyebath. Remove and wring out excess dye.

6. Wrap each wash cloth in plastic wrap, sealing the edges. Place in plastic bowl or on paper towels and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes.

7. Remove from microwave and allow to cool. Unwrap plastic wrap and rinse in cool water to remove excess dye. Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and hang to dry.

8. For Dyebath #3 Blue Curacao #565: Measure and mix 2 Tbs. Aquamarine and ¼ teaspoon Kelly Green with 1 cup hot water; stir well. ). Pour into 4-cup container; stir well. Dip one half of wash cloth into the dyebath. Remove and carefully wring out excess dye.

9. For Dyebath #4 Margarita #476: Measure ½ teaspoon Kelly Green with 1 cup hot water; stir well. Pour into 4-cup container; stir well. Dip other half of wash cloth into the dyebath. Remove and carefully wring out excess dye.

10. Repeat steps 6 and 7 above.

Making Tote Bags

1. Allow wash cloths to thoroughly dry before proceeding.

2. When dry, fold cloth in half on the diagonal (1). Unfold and place fabric glue on the right inside edge three quarters down from top (2). Repeat process for left edge (3). Press cloth down with fingers to ensure glue sets into the fabric.

3. Fold left edge inward toward right edge and glue (4). Repeat for right edge (5, 6). Fold top front flap down and secure with glue (7, 8).

4. Flip cloth over (9) and repeat for other side. Apply glue (10, 11) and fold flap down (12). Allow glue to dry completely before proceeding.

5. To make tags: Select font of your choice on your computer. Insert inkjet cotton sheet into printer, following manufacturer’s directions. Print and cut out sentiments into long strips. Trim one end with scissors as shown, leaving at least 1” on opposite end for tucking under the starfish button.

6. Punch two holes at least 4” apart from each other on both side of the bag. Cut two 8” strips of hemp and thread through holes; knot ends to secure.

7. Use fabric glue to attach starfish and sentiment tag to favor bag, tucking sentiment under the starfish. Apply self- adhesive gem to center of starfish.