What can we use to tie dye our shirts?

Question

we dont want to have t o buy that expensive stuff that starts with a p.

what are some replacement items?

i heard we can just use plain food colouring, or even koolaid.

thank you (:

Answer 1

RIT's color fastness is really bad, a good replacement is Dylon.  DON'T use fabric paint it will make the shirt stiff.  Paint is kinda like glue it doesn't actually dye the fibers, even if it is watered down.

Answer 2

Unfortunately on most modern fabrics, modern Kool-Aid and food coloring will mostly wash out.  Oh, it'll leave a little stain behind, so your shirts won't really be dyed OR clean.  Ewww.   It's not a good idea anymore.  Years ago, Kool-Aid and food color were made slightly differently and did dye things.  Nowadays, they have been reformulated so as not to badly stain clothing by accident.   That also means they can't really be used to dye things on purpose.

Powdered Rit dye, if you only get one color, costs about $3.- or less in most stores.  That'll easily do two shirts.  Get a bottle of white vinegar (about a quart) while you're there at the store. That helps set the dye.  Read the package on the dye to see what else you need.  Some require a cup or so of salt.

Answer 3

There are things in the kitchen that can stain fabric, but it won't work as well as actual fabric stain from a craft store. Tumeric can dye fabric yellow. Hibiscus tea (Red Zinger Tea) or red wine will make fabric pinkish to reddish. Lipton tea or henna will make golden brown stains in white fabric. Colors like green, purple and blue pigment are a bite more expensive to find naturally, but you may have success with food coloring.

Answer 4

you could buy actual dye. or berries. those work well.

Answer 5

You can use fabric paint.  What you do would be to twist the material, spray it.   Food coloring, cooled and jello will wash out.

Answer 6

roll up the t-shirts and put a couple of rubber bands around it

(depends on how many rings you want) then drop it in a bucket of water coloring and wait for it to stain it