How to Make a Tie-Dye Hobo Handbag
Hobo handbags, currently in vogue, convey a certain bohemian elegance. Because they're rather ubiquitous, you may find that yours blends in too easily with the handbag crowd. Tie-dye techniques offer you a chance to make your hobo bag distinctive and colorful. Although the pattern is associated with hippies and the 1970s, the retro look continues to be appreciated today. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hobo handbag
- Gloves
- Dust mask
- Dye (several colors)
- String
- Soda ash solution
- Large bucket
- Pitchers
- Squeeze bottles
- Sponge
- Paintbrush
- Plastic bag
- Professional textile detergent
Instructions
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1
Acquire a hobo handbag. You can either purchase one or create one yourself. Use yarn that is 100 percent cotton; this fabric holds dye best. You will need to wield intermediate knowledge of crocheting or knitting in order to fashion your own hobo handbag. Otherwise, buy your bag, preferably in a plain color.
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2
Fold and tie your hobo handbag. First, twist the bag into an interesting shape. Hold it in place by tying it with a thin but durable string.
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3
Prepare a soda ash solution for your bag to soak in. Don a dust mask and gloves before mixing 1 cup of soda ash fixer to 1 gallon of warm water in a large bucket. Place the bag into the solution, letting it set for 15 minutes. With your gloves still on, squeeze away the excess until the bag is damp, not dripping wet.
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4
Prepare your dyes, wearing the gloves and mask. You should prepare multiple colors of dye to have a more vibrantly patterned tie-dye hobo bag. Use an old pitcher as a container for each color dye. Dye produced by different manufacturers demands different preparation, so be sure to follow the instructions that accompany each dye product.
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Pour the prepared dyes into separate squeeze bottles for ease of application.
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Apply the dyes to the hobo bag. You can either pour dye directly onto the bag with your squeeze bottles, or first pour some dye on a sponge or paintbrush, using that tool to color the bag.
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Place the colored bag into a plastic bag to keep it damp. Let set for 24 hours.
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Prepare your washing machine after the 24 hours. Fill it with hot water and 1/4 cup of professional textile detergent.
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Put on your gloves. Remove your handbag from the plastic bag and rinse it. Run the hobo bag through cold water to end the dye's reaction. Untie the string and loosen the folds. Rinse the bag in warm water until the excess water comes away clear.
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Place the bag into the washing machine immediately and run a full cycle. Let the bag fully dry, and it's ready to use.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
