Edie's Dye-Painted Flower Dress

Edie's Dye-Painted Flower Dress

The big blue flowers and leaves in this art-inspired dress were dye-painted by hand and then finished off in the microwave. Extra dimension was added by outlining the flowers and petals with fabric markers. It's so easy!

Supplies & Tools

• Rit Liquid or Powder Dye: Royal Blue, Golden Yellow
• 100% Cotton Turquoise Dress - American Apparel
• Measuring spoons & measuring cup
• Spoon for mixing dye
• 2 Disposable containers for dye
• 2 Bristle brushes, 1 1/2" wide for dye-painting
• Green & Blue Fabric Pens
• Tailor's Chalk
• Parchment paper or craft paper
• Plastic wrap
• Paper towels
• Rubber gloves
• Plastic sheet to protect table

1. To create this flower-inspired art dress, I started with a turquoise dress. (You could try another light color, such as yellow or pink. Or, you could dye your own.) Remember the rules of color mixing apply. Prewash dress to remove any finishes that may prevent absorption of dyes. Dry and iron if very wrinkled.
2. Cover table with plastic tablecloth.
3. Lay dry dress on sheets of plastic wrap that have been overlapped so plastic is slightly larger than dress.
4. Insert layers of parchment or craft paper inside dress and sleeve areas. This will prevent dye from bleeding through to other side.
5. Sketch out the placement of flowers and leaves with tailor's chalk on both sides of dress before dye-painting.
6. Prepare Dyes:
   Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix two dye colors:
   1 Tablespoon Royal Blue liquid dye with 1 C Hot water. Stir well
   1 Tablespoon Golden Yellow liquid dye with 1 C Hot water. Stir well.
   Note: If tap water is not hot enough, heat water in microwave or in a tea kettle.
7. Starting at top of dress, brush on big flower petal swirls using the Royal Blue dye. Then brush on big leaves using the Golden Yellow dye.
8. Turn dress over, and repeat dye-painting on back side. Note: Reheat dye in the microwave as needed. Line bottom of microwave with paper towels. Cover dye container with plastic wrap and set on High for 30 second intervals until dye is hot.
9. After painting back side, wipe up excess dye with paper towels. Cover dress with plastic wrap and seal outer edges.
10. Fold to fit into microwave. Cover bottom of microwave with paper towels. Place plastic-wrapped dress in the microwave. Set on HIGH for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave. Cut open plastic wrap. Allow to cool.
11. Rinse dress in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and hang dry. Iron dress
12. Insert parchment paper inside dress. Outline the flower petals with a blue fabric marker and the leaves with a green fabric marker. This will add more definition to the flower motifs. Tip: Place dress on a padded board or ironing board when drawing with markers.