Dyed Bee Costume

October 8 2019

This costume is buzz worthy! Our friend Jesiiii created a bee costume out of an old black and white striped dress. We love how the black stayed black to create that iconic bee design! Pair it with an oversized flower and wings and you are all set for Halloween.

Supplies
  • Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye: Golden Yellow
  • Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
  • White + Black Striped Dress
  • Container for Dyeing
  • Measuring Cup
  • Salt
  • Liquid Dish Detergent
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Paper Towels
  • Plastic Table Cover
  • Poster Board (If Creating Wings Yourself)
  • Craft Wire (If Creating Wings Yourself)
  • Acrylic Paint (If Creating Wings Yourself)
  • Jersey Knit Fabric (If Creating Wings Yourself)
  • Tissue Paper: Pink, Yellow + Green (If Creating Flower Yourself)
  • Chicken Wire (If Creating Flower Yourself)
  • Masking Tape (If Creating Flower Yourself)
  • Hot Glue Gun (If Creating Flower Yourself)
Time
1 Hour Total: {{ partial.tWTQ.total }}
Difficulty
Beginner Total: {{ partial.tW2Q.total }}
Instructions
  1. Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills. Gather supplies.
  2. For best results, prewash dress to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption. Leave damp.
  3. Wearing rubber gloves, fill a large container or stainless-steel sink with 3 gallons of very hot water. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
  4. Add ½ cup of well-shaken Golden Lemon dye into dyebath.
  5. To enhance the color, add one cup of salt. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.  Stir well.
  6. Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too dark, add more water.
  7. Immerse dress in dyebath. Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Stirring helps to ensure an even color with no splotches.
  8. The dress can remain in the dyebath from 10 minutes up to one hour. When desired color is achieved, remove from dyebath. The dyed dress will appear darker when wet and will dry lighter. Squeeze out excess dye.
  9. We recommend using Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing to enhance color, increase color retention and prevent dye from bleeding. Follow package instructions.
  10. Rinse in cool water until the water runs clear.
  11. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.
  12. Once dry, wings and an oversized flower were added to the costume. If you want to make your own, follow these steps:
    1. Wings: Draw a wing template on poster board. Take craft wire and bend it into the same shape and size as the template. Cut out white jersey knit fabric slightly larger than the template. Sew the jersey knit fabric around the wire. Add black felt tape around the edges of the wings. Draw a template for the wing detail. Paint the wing detail on with acrylic paint. Sew the wings together and add elastic to make the wings wearable!
    2. Flower:
      1. Petal: Jesi followed this tutorial by A Blissful Nest.
      2. Stem: The stem is made of chicken wire, wrapped in masking tape with green tissue paper applied with craft glue.
  13. Dress up and enjoy!
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