How to Tie Dye a Pillowcase

Tie dying was all the rage in the sixties and seventies but only as a style of clothing. In the decades that followed, it has slowly made its way into main stream home decor. Turning a plain white pillowcase into a decorative accent allows you to create customized pieces to fit your room's specific color pallet. Using the tie dye method is a fun, inexpensive way to do that. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White cotton pillowcase
• Waxed thread
• Fabric dye concentrate
• Salt
• Bucket
• Large canning jar
• Dye fixer
• Enamel pot

1. Wash and dry a white cotton pillowcase and lay it on a flat work surface.

2. Fold the pillowcase lengthwise and accordion pleat the fabric from one end to the other. Then tie the case tightly with waxed thread.

3. Mix a cup of concentrated fabric dye according to package directions.

4. Mix 1 cup of salt into a gallon of water and wet the folded pillowcase with the salt solution.

5. Pour the cup of dye into a large canning jar and add enough of the salt solution to fill the jar two thirds full. Place the wet pillowcase into the jar pushing it down to the bottom and set aside.

6. Dissolve 1/4 cup dye fixer in 1 cup of boiling water. Mix in ice cubes to bring the temperature down to 100 degrees F. Remove the pillowcase from the jar and add the dye fixer solution. Stir well and put the pillowcase back in the jar for 1 to 2 hours.

7. Remove the pillowcase and rinse in cold water. Let stand in a tub of cold water for an hour. Rinse in warm water and then again in hot water. Boil the case for ten minutes in an enamel pot and rinse one last time in cool water. Let dry and iron.

Tips & Warnings

• Soda ash is the most common type of dye fixer and is generally sold in a powder form. You can also use washing soda.
• The longer you soak your pillow in the solution with the dye fixer the darker the colors will be. It won't hurt the pillowcase to soak for several hours as long as you want dark colors.

Resources

• Visit pburch.net for other hand dying methods and ideas.