Teeny Tiny Tie-Dye Kit

Everything you need for tie-dyeing about 6 T-shirts.
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Here's a great way to get started in tie-dye. Everything you need, with detailed instructions. It's great fun, and a good way to spend a day with some kids or friends. This item also makes a great gift for your crafty friend or family member!

    Kit contains:
  • three 8 oz. squeeze bottles with Urea and dye already in them.
    (approx. 2 tsp. Fiber Reactive Dye #1 Lemon Yellow)
    (approx. 2 tsp. Fiber Reactive Dye #13 Fuchsia)
    (approx. 2 tsp. Fiber Reactive Dye #25 Turquoise)
  • 8 oz. Soda Ash fixative
  • 2 oz. Professional Textile Detergent
  • 30 rubber bands
  • one pair rubber gloves
  • 1 dust mask
  • Complete instructions
Made in: UNITED STATES (USA)

Tie-Dye Instructions
Tie-Dye Instructions
Traditionally, tie-dye is a pattern of color made by preventing the dye from reaching some areas of the material while vat dyeing others. Folding, tying, stitching, crumpling or otherwise preparing the fabric inhibits the flow of the dye. Nowadays most folding, scrunching & twisting is done starting with the wet shirt flat on a plastic covered table. The pattern of the folds etc. and where the colors are squirted dictates the resulting design. Figure maybe 4 oz of dye liquid per average T-shirt. With experience, the end result can be predicted and controlled to some extent, but surprise is part of what makes tie-dye an exciting and interesting art form - and there will be plenty of surprises.
Tie-Dye Kits Available From Dharma
1. Fold and/or tie the fabric into the desired patterns.The designs will be more defined if you wet the shirt and squeeze or spin out excess water before folding.
2. Wear your dust mask and dissolve 1 cup (8 oz.) of Soda Ash Fixer per gallon of warm water. Soak the tied garments about 5-15 minutes (until saturated). Reuse solution until gone. Squeeze out excess so garment is just damp, not dripping.
3. Using your dust mask and gloves, combine water with all chemicals except dye. Add liquid to dye gradually, pasting up to avoid lumps. Apply dye with squeeze bottles, paint brushes, sponges, etc., as many colors as you want. Easiest to use a funnel to pour dissolved dye into squeeze bottles.
Dye Formula:
  • 8 oz. cup of warm water
    • (not hot, body temperature)
  • 2 to 8 teaspoons of Procion dye
    • Some colors are noted with * on
    the Procion dye page
    (Colors with no * = 2 teaspoons)
    (One * = 4 teaspoons)
    (Two ** = 8 teaspoons)
  • 1 tablespoon Urea
    • (dissolve in hot water first).
  • 1/4 teaspoon water softener
    • (if needed)
    (A little to slow spreading, and control color, if desired.)
    4. Put fabric (still tied) in a plastic bag (the idea is to keep it wet and chemically active - any method of keeping it wet is O.K.) and let sit for at least 4 hours but preferably 24 hours to "cure". Shorter times work better in summer, and longer times are needed when it is cold.
    5. Remove from bag and while still tied, rinse off the excess dye under cold running water (faucet, hose or shower), then rinse in warmer water while you untie and after garments are untied, until water runs fairly clear. Have your washing machine pre-filled with hot water with Synthrapol or Professional Textile Detergent and throw in the clothing as soon as it is rinsed, running it through a full cycle.
    VARIATIONS & HELPFUL HINTS
    • Dye shirt a solid color first using Tub Dyeing Method, then tie-dye using above method.
    • After step 4, untie and re-tie in contrasting pattern.
    • After tie-dyeing item, re-tie and use Discharge paste to bleach out a contrasting pattern.
    • Sprinkle pure Procion powder onto tied and pre-soaked item for different effect (super intense color. Use a salt shaker with lots of salt and some dye for a lighter application)
    • Put a small amount of Sodium Alginate thickener into dye mixture (step 3) to slow down the rate that the dye spreads and to create sharper edges.
    • In step 4 any method keeping the fabric wet is OK, needn't be a plastic bag - cover many with plastic drop cloth, wrap in plastic wrap, etc. The warmer the temperature where you lay out your tie-dyes to cure, the quicker the chemical reaction.
    • Use Water Softener if you suspect you have "hard" water.
    • DON'T USE HOT WATER. The dyes work best in warm water (105 degrees) except #25, which can be used slightly warmer. #250 does like hot water and doesn't do well for tie-dye.
    • Urea helps dye to dissolve, so dissolve the Urea in water first. Add this water to the dye powder gradually and paste it up to avoid lumps. Undissolved dye makes "explosions" of color or "freckles", so if a color is difficult to dissolve, straining through some light fabric might be necessary. Coffee filters only work if the dye is really liquid. Otherwise, they filter out too much of the dye.
    • If you have trouble making a paste of the colors, a little Calsolene Oil can help because it breaks the surface tension.
    • Squirt bottles are mechanically mass produced and once in awhile we get some that leak. A couple of wraps of that very inexpensive (~.60¢) thin white stretchy plumber's tape, that is available at any hardware store, around the threads solves this problem perfectly. No tie-dyer should be without it!
    • Cover your work surfaces with old newspapers or folded paper towels to absorb extra dye. Wear old clothes! After applying dye to one side, flip garment over and repeat the process. Inject the tip of the squeeze bottle into the folds for best dye penetration and less white on the final product.
    • With this dye, there is always lots of "excess dye" to be washed out. Don't crowd your washing machine with too much tie-dye or the water gets too muddy and so will your tie-dyes. Delicate items like rayon and silk are better hand washed or should go into a mesh bag on a gentle cycle so the agitation doesn't shred them.
    • Planning a tie-dye party? We can make it easier with our Group Tie-Dye Instructions.
    QUICK EXPLANATION
    OF THE CHEMICAL PROCESSES INVOLVED IN TIE-DYEING
    Fiber reactive dyes attach permanently to cellulose fibers using a covalent (electron-sharing) bond. These molecules carry a "chromophore" which absorb varying spectra of the light, allowing only certain spectra to reflect.
    Covalent bonding is one of the most basic and strongest types of chemical reactions. This reaction happens gradually over time depending on temperature and/or the Ph level of the surrounding environment.
    The Soda Ash pre-soak raises the pH level of the garment or fabric to approximately 10.5. Raising the pH level of the solution that the fabric or garment is soaked in raises the level of negative hydrogen ions in the dyeing environment. The chemical bonding process uses these ions in the reaction. Pre-soaking in Soda Ash fixer solution is what allows the fiber reactive dyes to work at room temperature.
    The reaction can also be aided with heat. Some tie-dyers have had success with using baking soda and microwaving their dyed articles. Since baking soda is a weaker alkali than Soda Ash, it must be accompanied by heat. Some people who are "chemically sensitive" choose to use this method.
    The dye is allowed to react in a desirable host environment for up to 24 hours. After this time, the bonding sites on the cellulose should be saturated with dye molecules. Excess dye molecules that have not bonded permanently are washed away using warm water rinse and a dye-carrying detergent like Synthrapol.

    Product Reviews
    Average Rating:  4.86 (37 reviews)
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Tue May 20 12:34:50 2008
    This kit is a great starter kit. We had so much fun I ran out of dye! I can't wait to dye some more shrits This website is great!
    Was this review helpful to you? 5 of 5 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sun Mar 29 07:11:57 2009
    Always a hit with the kids. The clors work well together making unexpected mixed still beautiful, keeping happy campers.
    Was this review helpful to you? 2 of 2 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Tue Jan 27 13:34:55 2009
    Wonderful kit, complete with everything needed to do tie dye.
    Was this review helpful to you? 2 of 2 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sat May 2 22:04:57 2009
    Very easy to use. It was my first time tie-dying with my 2 small kids and we had a blast. The instructions were easy to follow and the shirts turned out awesome!
    Was this review helpful to you? 1 of 1 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Thu Apr 30 06:11:55 2009
    We used our teeny tiny tie-dye kit for a teeny tiny birthday party for 4 teeny tiny 4-year-olds (and one big brother). We borrowed some plastic smocks for the kids from our daycare provider and bought enough extra gloves to go all around. (Hint: use rubber bands at the wrists to secure oversized gloves to little hands.) The instructions in the kit were clear, concise, and easy to follow, and with one helpful parent assigned to each child we had a very successful event and got a beautiful t-shirt for each child. The kids are very proud of their shirts and even at 4 years old they are in cahoots to wear their shirts on the same days. Even this teeny-tiny kit was way more than needed for 5 kids' t-shirts. If you get any of their kits I recommend having extra blank clothes around ready to dye in case (like us) you find yourself with bottles still half full of dye when the party's over. We carefully sealed up our dye bottles and bucket-o-soda-ash, bought a bunch of white cotton gear from a thrift store, and got several more dyed garments out of the deal a week later. My only teeny tiny complaint: good luck keeping hold of the little red caps for the bottles, especially if you want to save the bottles to re-use in future projects. Those things disappear very easily. But that's not enough to keep me from giving a full five stars. I'm already dreaming up future parties in various social circles built around Dharma's Tie-Dye Kits.
    Was this review helpful to you? 1 of 1 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sun Apr 5 20:03:04 2009
    I had alot of fun with the kids! Great rainy day project!
    Was this review helpful to you? 1 of 1 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Fri Mar 6 18:08:10 2009
    Everything I needed, except more colors - different, darker colors.
    Was this review helpful to you? 1 of 1 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Tue Apr 28 18:18:25 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 1 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Fri Oct 30 08:26:02 2009
    This is the second time we have ordered and used the Teeny Tiny Tie-Dye Kit, the colors are brilliant and the product is easy to use. Dharma's service is excellent!
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Thu Oct 29 04:38:50 2009
    Great kit! Easy to use! The only thing I wish is that I could've chosen the colors.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sun Oct 25 08:02:09 2009
    Awesome stuff.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Mon Oct 19 07:39:40 2009
    this kit has everything one needs to tie dye, and the quality is way beyond what you might get at any craft store.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sat Sep 26 07:00:09 2009
    The best tie dye ever!!! I can't wait to buy some more and start making some Christmas gifts.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Thu Sep 24 10:07:27 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Mon Sep 14 12:08:45 2009
    Thanks for a great kit! Made some great family memories this summer and have our tie-dye shirts to remember them! Will use your company again!
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Mon Sep 14 08:29:54 2009
    Thanks for a great kit! Made some great family memories this summer and have our tie-dye shirts to remember them! Will use your company again! WR 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sat Sep 12 11:59:26 2009
    We did 6 t-shirts and they came out great!
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sat Sep 12 06:03:29 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Thu Sep 10 11:23:38 2009
    Worked well - good instructions - kids love the shirts from their B-day party!
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sun Sep 6 17:50:14 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Mon Aug 31 08:56:15 2009
    Works Great !
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Fri Aug 28 07:49:09 2009
    Our family had so much fun using this kit, although it made way more than enough for another half dozen kits. The colors are bright and crisp even after a half dozen hard washings and wearings. We are very happy with this kit!
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Tue Aug 25 21:19:23 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sat Aug 22 07:20:10 2009
    The process to order was easy and quick. I had six of my granddaughter's friends tie dye shirts. I would recommend tat the directions stae to add enough of the liquid to the shirt. Our shirts had more white than the kids wanted. They were still very proud of their art. thanks.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Mon Aug 17 19:48:20 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Thu Aug 6 12:27:08 2009
    Perfect size kit for my group, the colors were vibrant and gorgeous! The instructions were very clear and helpful. The only thing I wished I had were directions to create specific tie dye patterns, like spirals and sunbursts.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Mon Aug 3 16:11:00 2009
    This was a great introduction to tie-dye! As a novice, I used it as practice for the 150 shirts we dyed for our church's children's Bible camp. The service was excellent. The few questions I had were answered easily. We couldn't have been more pleased!
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sat Aug 1 06:33:33 2009
    The kit arrived in a timely manner. And, the t-shirts turned out awesome--the colors are so vibrant!
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Sat Jul 25 19:40:17 2009
    this dye is great for making tye dye. the colors are a lot brighter than other dyes that i have tried in the past.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Fri Jul 24 06:30:43 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Fri Jul 10 08:47:18 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Thu Jul 9 22:15:18 2009
    excellent! great value! the colors stayed far brighter than any other die i've used! total, I had enough to die about 4 shirts, 1 pair of shorts, one pair of socks, and a pair of underwear (don't ask). Definitely a great buy, and I am sure to buy one again!
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Thu Jul 2 04:26:19 2009
    Small enough for your family project, but good quality stuff so it really works well.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Fri Jun 26 04:58:42 2009
    My son and I wanted to try our own tie-dye so of course, we went straight to Dharma. The instructions made it seem like it was going to be more complicated than it was - turns out it could not have been easier. At the end, my 5-year-old made the BEST one of all, totally saturated with the more intense, lasting colors. Not only would do it again, definitely WILL buy again. Enough dye to even make more than they say if you don't go for intense colors on every pieces.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Thu Jun 25 23:42:19 2009
    There was a little more dye than I expected and I probably could have done 8 shirts instead of six. I think that I prefer to hand tie them rather than use the rubber bands. But that is just a personal preference.
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Mon May 25 17:53:46 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.
    Product Rating:
    Reviewed: Tue Apr 28 18:10:53 2009
    Was this review helpful to you? 0 of 0 users found this review helpful.

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