How to Make a Hippie Backpack

Multiple colors are an intermediate to advanced tie-dye technique.

Light-colored cotton backpacks are easy items to tie-dye for a unique and inexpensive style makeover. Tie-dying is also an easy means to provide accessory brightness and whimsy to dark colored wardrobes; it's also a creative and environmentally-conscious means of covering difficult stains or a faded base fabric. Those who are new to the world of tie-dying need only a few basic materials to give a free-spirited look to a new or old bag;
advanced tie-dye artists may experiment with different methods of fastening the backpack fabric with rubber bands for a varied final appearance.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton backpack
• Rubber bands
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 ounce powdered fabric dye
• 10 cups hot water
• Plastic bucket
• Rubber gloves

Instructions

1. Ensure the backpack is completely clean and dry before attempting to tie-dye. If necessary, wash and dry to remove any residues that could affect the final appearance. Lay the backpack flat in the work station.

2. Pinch an approximately 6-inch square of the backpack fabric, and fasten the base tightly with a rubber band. Wrap two rubber bands around the fabric section, equally spaced two inches apart. Repeat until the backpack is covered in rubber-banded sections, according to preference. Ensure the bands are sufficiently tight to avoid slipping while being dyed.

3. Place the salt and dye into the bucket. Add 10 cups of hot water, approximately 100 degrees F. Gently swirl the bucket until the dye and salt are completely dissolved, resulting in a homogeneous mixture.

4. Submerge the rubber-banded backpack in the bucket to become saturated with dye. Leave the backpack undisturbed for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the desired darkness of the final product. Place the rubber gloves on the hands before removing the backpack from the dye.

5. Carefully place the dye-saturated backpack in a sink. Run under cold water until no excess dye can be seen in the rinse water. It is normal for the backpack to appear normal after this process. Remove the rubber bands.

6. Wash the backpack in a clothes washer with warm water and laundry detergent to remove any final residue. Dry completely on medium heat.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a designated dyeing bucket and ensure all dye is completely rinsed before placing the backpack into the washing machine. Accidental stains from fabric dye can be extremely difficult to remove.

References

• Rit Dye: Basic Tie-Dying Instructions
• The Craft Begins: Modern Tie-Dye Tutorial