SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
• White Cotton Socks
• Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye: Colour of Your Choice
• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
• Plastic Squirt Bottles
• Rubber Bands
DIRECTIONS:
• Salt
• Baking Rack and Tray
• Measuring Cup
• Plastic Table Cover
• Rubber Gloves
Add some unique bursts of colour to your socks with this easy DIY below. If you haven’t heard, tie dye is back! So why not extend the trend to everything you own? Rock these trippy prints from the festival grounds to all around town.
TIME: 1-2 Hour
DIFFICULTY: Beginner
1. Prewash socks in warm, soapy water. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
2. Lay socks out on a flat surface.
3. Pleat socks.
4. Wrap rubber bands tightly around the socks at various points. The rubber bands act as a resist and create white spaces. The more rubber bands you use and the tighter they are wrapped, the more white space there will be.
5. Since we wanted to use multiple colours and control exactly where the dye went, we applied the dye with squirt bottles. However, you could also create a dyebath in a plastic container.
6. Wearing rubber gloves, mix 1/2 cup of well-shaken liquid dye with two cups of hot tap water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Pour into a squirt bottle. Shake well. Repeat for each colour.
7. Place socks on baking rack with a tray under it. This keeps the dye from puddling under the fabric.
8. Squeeze dye in between rubber bands.
9. To help set the dye, we recommend using your microwave. Wrap the dyed socks in plastic wrap and seal the edges. Place the wrapped socks on a paper towel in the microwave and heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Plastic will puff up, creating a heat chamber that helps bond the dye with the fabric. Once the microwave is done, remove the socks and open the plastic, letting it cool down.
the socks. It enhances the colour, increases colour retention and prevents dye from bleeding into white areas. Follow package instructions.
11. Carefully remove rubber bands with a scissors and unfold the fabric. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.