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tie dye beach towel
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How to Tie Dye Beach Towels

Easy and fun tie-dye project for the summer
Prep Time15 minutes
Active Time15 minutes
drying and rinsing6 hours
Yield: 3 towels
Author: Melissa Haines
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • Washing machine recommended

Materials

  • Large white cotton towels
  • 1 6 color Tie-Dye Kit (with replacement powder packets) which should include rubber bands, dipsosable gloves, color powder and squeeze tubes
  • A large bucket of water
  • Salt optional
  • Garbage Bags
  • Water for rinsing

Instructions

  • For more vibrant colors...Soak the towels in ash water, or if you can't find ash - add salt to the water (for about 20 minutes before coloring)
  • In a large bucket or container, soak towels
  • Make sure you protect your table. Use a disposable tablecloth or a tarp for protection
  • Mix the dye powders with warm water and place them in squeeze tubes
  • Put disposable gloves on to keep the dye off of your skin
  • Remove towels from the water
  • Squeeze the excess water out of towels
  • Use rubber bands to make the design you want. Some ideas are described below.
  • Place in garbage bags to retain moisture for several hours or overnight
  • Rinse towels in cold water until water runs clean
  • For the first few washes, wash each towel separately

Notes

Spiral Method 

(Recommended for this method: Place it on top of a cookie drying rack to allow the colors to drain through the bottom of the towel. If you don't do this, colors will likely bleed together.)
Spread the towel out on a long table
Find the middle and pinch it
From the middle, twist the towel into a flat circle. The towel will be pleated from the middle to the outside.
Use rubberbands to section the circle into eight equal parts
Use the tie-dye colors to saturate each section
Rinse until water runs clear 

Sunburst Tie-Dye Method 

Spread the towel out onto a table
Pinch sections of the towel and pull them upward
Use a rubberband to section them off
Apply different dye colors to each section of the towel, including the raised portions.
You will probably have to cover this tie-dye style with two overlapping trash bags.
Keep covered for several hours or overnight before rinsing.
Carefully place into a garbage bag to keep it moist for several hours or overnight before rinsing
Rinse until water runs clear 

Bullseye Method for Tie-Dye

Spread the towel out onto a table
Pinch sections of the towel and pull them upward
Use a rubberband to section them off
Apply different dye colors to each section of the towel, including the raised portions.
You will probably have to cover this tie-dye style with two overlapping trash bags.
Keep covered for several hours or overnight before rinsing.
Rinse until water runs clear