Supplies
- Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye: Purple, Wine, Indigo, Neon Green, Lemon Yellow
- Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
- White Cotton Sweatsuit
- Large Plastic Container
- Small Balloons in Coordinating Colors
- Safety Pins
- Rubber Gloves
- Paper Towels
- Plastic Table Cover
- Measuring Spoon
Time
Total: 1 hour
Difficulty
Beginner
Instructions
- Cover table with plastic and gather your supplies.
- Prewash shirt and pants to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
- Fill a large plastic container with 3 gallons of hot water. Water temperature should ideally be 140°. Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
- For Purple Grapes, we used the Wine Grapes color recipe. For the Green Grapes, we used the Green Grapes color recipe.
Wine Grapes3 Tablespoons Purple3 Tablespoons Indigo1 Tablespoon Wine3 GallonsGreen Grapes2 Bottles Neon Green1⁄4 Cup Lemon Yellow3 Gallons
- Wearing rubber gloves, add Rit All-Purpose Dyes using the color recipes from step 4.
- Test dye color by dipping paper towel in the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too dark, add more water.
- Wearing rubber gloves, submerge the shirt and pants into the dyebath. Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Stirring helps to ensure an even color with no splotches.
- When desired color is achieved, remove from dyebath. Fabric will look darker when wet and will dry lighter. Squeeze out excess dye.
- We recommend using Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing to enhance color, increase color retention and prevent dye from bleeding into white areas. Follow package instructions.
- Rinse in cool water until the water runs clear.
- Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.
- Once dry, add coordinating balloons to the shirt and pants with safety pins.
