How to Make Dyes for Tie-Dye

Synthetic Dye

• 1

  Purchase fabric dye, which can usually be found at craft or specialty fabric stores. The dyes come in a variety of colors, so it should be easy to find your preferred shade.

• 2

  Put 2 tsp. of powdered dye with 1 tbsp. of salt in a large glass jar.

• 3

  Add 1 cup of warm water to the dye and salt, and mix thoroughly.

Natural Dyes

• 4

  Cut up two heads of purple cabbage. Place the cabbage in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and let the cabbage sit over the heat for approximately two hours, or until the cabbage looks devoid of all color. Strain out the cabbage and use the liquid as purple dye. Another way to create purple is to crush up a pint of blueberries and place in a pot of simmering water. Let them sit over the heat for approximately two hours. Then, strain the blueberries and use that liquid as dye.

• 5

  Place cranberries in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, bring it down to a simmer and allow the cranberries to sit over the heat for a couple of hairs. Strain the cranberries from the water, and use the liquid as red dye. Sliced beets can also be used in this process to create red dye.

• 6

  Brew a pot of coffee, and use the liquid to dye fabric tan or brown. If you only have whole coffee beans, simmer them in a pot of water for two to three hours. Strain the beans from the liquid, and use the liquid as dye.