Edie's Dyed Wood Bangles

Batik Resist Bangle

A quick n' easy way to do intricate detailed designs on your wood bangles without any waxy mess. I use a fine-tipped applicator bottle for super control of the resist application. When immersed in the dye bath, the pattern magically appears!

Had fun making all these crazy swirly patterns. I made a ton of 'em in all kinds of colors ...

... but here's a specific tutorial for my favorite Teal bangle.

Supplies Needed

• Rit Teal Liquid Dye
• DIY Bangles - 1-3/4" Dome Shaped, Unfinished Wood Bangle
• Crafter's Pick Batik EZ Resist
• Mod Podge Gloss Sealer
• Fine-Tipped Applicator Bottle
• Foam or Bristle Brush
• Plastic Quart Container
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Spoon for Mixing Dye
• Fine Sandpaper
• Tack Cloth
• Rubber Gloves
• Plastic Table Cover

1) As usual, cover your work surface with a plastic covering. 

2) If your unfinished wood bangles are a bit rough, give them a good sanding to smooth them. I found the bangles from DIY Bangles came pre-sanded and ready to go. 

3) Fill up your applicator bottle with the Batik EZ Resist and start designing your bangle! You can draw pretty much whatever pattern you like. I did some quick, fun swirliques as an allover pattern. Then let the resist dry fully.

4) Grab your rubber gloves and shake up the Rit Teal Dye. Measure ¼ cup of dye with 2 cups of very hot 140˚ water and stir well. Immerse the bangle until you like the color. Mine took about a minute in the dye bath. I used a little more dye for this technique and less time in the dye bath. I didn'twant the resist to dissolve before I got that optimal color. (Note: Do not add salt when dyeing wood.)

5) Rinse in cool water to remove the resist and you'll see your wonderful pattern appear. Yay! Let dry completely.

6) Normally, I would use polyurethane to seal the wood but I decided to mix things up and try out some Mod Podge on this bangle. It came out great and was very simple to use. I just brushed on 2 coats of Mod Podge Gloss Sealer. In between coats I hit it with a very light sanding and removed any sanding dust with a tack cloth.

Dip-Dyed Bangle 

This bangle is a stunning, yet easy, three-color dip-dye. With this technique, three equal bands of color are created. First immerse the bangle in a Golden Yellow dye bath to create a base color. Then dip-dye one-third of each side of the bangle in a different color. The rules of color mixing apply. The secret to achieving equal bands of color is to first dip the bracelet in a small amount of plain water to determine how deep the dye bath needs to be. 

So simple you can make 'em for all your friends. Grab some DIY Bangles (my personal faves) and go crazy. It's easy to fly with your own dip-dye style!

Supplies Needed

• Rit Liquid Dyes: Golden Yellow, Scarlet, Evening Blue
• DIY Bangles - 1-3/4" Dome Shaped, Unfinished Wood Bangle
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• 3 Dye Containers: 1 Deep 3-cup container & 2 shallow square 2-1/2 cup containers
• Fine Sandpaper #220 & Steel Wool
• Tack Cloth
• Clear Polyurethane
• 1" Wide Foam Brush
• Paper Towels
• Rubber Gloves
• Plastic Table Cover

1. Protect work surface with a plastic cover.

2. If necessary, sand wood lightly to remove any rough spots. Remove dust with tack cloth.

Dye Preparation for Base Color – Golden Yellow

3. Shake liquid dye before measuring. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 4 Tablespoons Golden Yellow with 2 cups hot water (140º F). Stir well. If tap water does not reach that temperature, heat in the microwave or boil water. (Do not add salt when dyeing wood.)

Tip: Test dye color on a scrap of wood or inside of bangle. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too light, add more water. Dye will appear lighter when dry.

4. Immerse bangle in dye bath for 1 – 2 minutes. Make sure dye completely covers the bangle. Wood will float so turn and rotate bangle to be sure it takes the dye evenly. Remove bangle and dry overnight on paper towels.

Dye Preparation for Dipping – Scarlet n' Evening Blue

5. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 1 Tablespoon Scarlet with 1 cup hot water. Stir well and pour into a shallow container. Then measure and mix 1 Tablespoon Evening Blue with 1 cup hot water. Stir well and pour into a shallow container.

6. Dip dry Golden Yellow bangle in Scarlet dye bath for 1 minute. (Yellow and scarlet will blend to create an red/orange.) Remove and set on paper towels until excess dye drips off.

7. Then turn bracelet and dip other side in Evening Blue dye bath for 1 minute. (Yellow and blue will blend to create an olive green.) Remove and set on paper towels.

8. Let wood bangle dry overnight.

9. To seal dye-stained wood, apply one or two coats of polyurethane. Rub lightly with steel wool between coats; remove dust with a tack cloth.

Dye-Painted Bangle

Here's your chance to let loose your inner Renoir with some freehand dye-painting. Starting with an immersion in Rit Petal Pink to get my base color, I then painted my bangle with happy, bubble-gum cloud designs using a lovely Cherry Red shade mixed with a splash of water.

Of course, you can go crazy with your own unique designs. That's what makes it so much fun!

Supplies Needed

• Rit Liquid Dyes: Petal Pink & Cherry Red
• DIY Bangles - 1" Dome Shaped, Unfinished Wood Bangle
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Dye Containers: 1 Deep 3-cup container & 1 small plastic dish
• Fine Sandpaper #220 & Steel Wool
• Tack Cloth
• Clear Polyurethane
• 1" Wide Foam Brush
• Paper Towels
• Rubber Gloves
• Plastic Table Cover

1. Protect work surface with a plastic cover.

2. If necessary, sand wood lightly to remove any rough spots. Remove dust with tack cloth. I kinda like DIY Bangles cause they come pre-sanded and I'm always anxious just to get to the fun part. 

Dye Preparation for Base Color – Petal Pink

3. Shake liquid dye before measuring. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 2 Tablespoons Petal Pink liquid dye with 2 cups hot water (140º F). Stir well. If tap water does not reach that temperature, heat in the microwave or boil water. (Do not add salt when dyeing wood.)

Tip: Test dye color on a scrap of wood or inside of bangle.If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too light, add more water. Dye will appear lighter when dry.

4. Immerse bangle in dye bath for 1 – 2 minutes. Make sure dye completely covers the bangle. Wood will float so turn and rotate bangle to be sure it takes the dye evenly. Remove bangle and dry overnight on paper towels.

Dye Painting – Cherry Red

5. Wearing rubber gloves, pour ¼ cup Cherry Red dye into a small container and add a splash of water; stir. Using artist’s brushes, paint hearts, dots, stripes, stripes or whatever design you like on dyed Petal Pink bangle.

7. When finished painting, let bangle sit on paper towels and dry overnight.

8. To seal dye-stained wood, apply one or two coats of polyurethane. Rub lightly with steel wool between coats; remove dust with a tack cloth.

Twine-Wrapped Bangle 

Get ready for some fun, friends! With this technique, wet cotton twine is wrapped around a wood bangle and set in a shallow dye bath. The dye "migrates" up the twine, creating a cool, textured, criss-crossy pattern on the dyed bangle. Oooooh, it's like magic!

Come check it out. I did a base color in Rit Teal dye and then got my twine pattern with a luscious Fuchsia dye. Love the way the colors blended!

Supplies Needed

• Rit Liquid Dyes: Teal & Fuchsia
• DIY Bangles - 1-1/2" Dome Shaped, Unfinished Wood Bangle
• Cotton Mason Line
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• 3 Dye Containers: 1 Deep 3-cup container & 1 shallow square 2-1/2 cup container
• Fine Sandpaper #220 & Steel Wool
• Tack Cloth
• Clear Polyurethane
• 1" Wide Foam Brush
• Paper Towels
• Rubber Gloves
• Plastic Table Cover

1. Protect work surface with a plastic cover.

2. If necessary, sand wood lightly to remove any rough spots. Remove dust with tack cloth. I used DIY Bangles cause they come pre-sanded. So nice!

Dye Preparation for Base Color – Teal

3. Shake liquid dye before measuring. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix ½ teaspoon Teal liquid dye with 2 cups hot water (140º F). Stir well. If tap water does not reach that temperature, heat in the microwave or boil water. (Do not add salt when dyeing wood.)

Tip: Test dye color on a scrap of wood or inside of bangle.If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too light, add more water. Dye will appear lighter when dry.

4. Immerse bangle in dye bath for 1 – 2 minutes. Make sure dye completely covers the bangle. Wood will float so turn and rotate bangle to be sure it takes the dye evenly. Remove bangle and dry overnight on paper towels.

5. Wrap wet cotton mason line around the Teal-dyed bangle in a “criss-cross” pattern; knot end.

Dye Preparation for Dipping – Fuchsia

6. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 2 Tablespoons Fuchsia liquid dye with 2 cups hot water. Stir well and pour into a shallow container. Set Teal-dyed bangle in Fuchsia dye bath for 1 hour or until dye “migrates” along the dye, creating a “criss-cross” pattern.

7. Remove bangle from dye bath and set on paper towels. Let dry overnight.

8. To seal dye-stained wood, apply one or two coats of polyurethane. Rub lightly with steel wool between coats; remove dust with a tack cloth.