How to Use Procion

Procion MX Fiber Reactive Cold Water Dyes are formulated for use on fabrics made of natural plant fibers only, such as linen, cotton, wood, paper or reeds. They should not be used for dying synthetics. Procion dyes are easy to use, colorfast, washable and permanent. Use Procion dyes to make a colorful tie-dyed T-shirt. This is a fun project to share with your child and a practical way to even refurbish an old garment. Children are always amazed by the tie-dye process and thrilled with the results they can actually wear and show off to friends.

Things You'll Need

• Disposable or rubber gloves
• White 100 percent cotton T-shirt
• Soda ash
• Plastic condiment squeeze bottles
• Newspapers
• Plastic garbage bag
• Rubber bands
• Plastic bag
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Pillowcase

Instructions

1. Wash the shirt to be dyed if it is brand new. If it is preworn, soak it in water for 20 to 30 minutes to ensure all the fibers are completely soaked. Wring it out by hand. Dissolve 1 cup soda ash thoroughly in a gallon of warm water. Soak the shirt in the solution for 20 minutes, then squeeze it out.

2. Pour 1 cup cold tap water into each of three plastic condiment squeeze bottles. Add 2 tsp. dye to each bottle, and shake to mix thoroughly. Make one bottle yellow, one red and one blue.

3. Spread several layers of old newspapers on a flat working surface, and cover those with a plastic garbage bag to protect the area. Lay the damp garment flat on top of the garbage bag, smoothing the shirt out.

4. Choose a spot near the center of the shirt to be the inner "eye" of your spiral. Pinch and hold the spot between your thumb and finger. Use your other hand to twist the shirt in a circle while keeping it flat. Wrap the entire garment this way until it resembles a cinnamon bun.

5. Put three rubber bands on the wrapped shirt to hold the cinnamon bun together. Place the rubber bands so they create an evenly sectioned pie. These will guide you when you apply the dye in pie-shaped wedges, and the pattern will spiral when the garment is completed and opened up.

6. Squirt red dye directly onto one of the pie pieces of the sectioned garment. Work in either direction, and dye the next piece yellow. Dye the third piece blue. Repeat this order for the remaining three sections. Flip the shirt over, and apply the appropriate colors to the sections on the other side. Do not oversaturate the fabric, leaving little puddles of dye on it or on the work surface, or the colors will run together excessively.

7. Place the dyed shirt in a plastic bag, and let it set for 24 hours. Rinse it well several times, squeezing the excess liquid out between each rinse. Begin with a cold water rinse. Follow with two warm rinses, then a hot one.

8. Add 1 tsp. liquid laundry detergent to 2 gallons very hot tap water, and soak the dyed shirt in it for 15 minutes. Rinse the shirt three to four times with warm water. Squeeze out the excess water, and put the shirt in an old pillowcase. Tie it shut, and tumble dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase soda ash from hobby or craft suppliers that carry fabric dye products. Use primary colors--yellow, red and blue--particularly for your early efforts. When you apply dyes to the shirt, they will bleed into each other. Using primary colors will ensure that you do not end up with weird or ugly hues resulting from incompatible colors blending together.

• Wear disposable or rubber gloves when you handle the products for this craft. These dyes will stain your skin.

References

• Procion MX Fiber Reactive Cold Water Dye