Kids Craft: Tie-Dye using natural dyes
Inspired by all the natural dyes she has been using for tie-dyeing at school, Ana was itching to do more over the weekend.
I used black bean water in school for the beautiful light purple, Mama.
Oh, and I am working with Marigold for the yellow dye...
What else can I use at home, Mama?
she asked, adding,
I really want to do my own tie-dye project now.
Hmmm... what else... I thought sipping my sweetened hibiscus tea. The lovely rich burgundy red hibiscus tea. Made with dried hibiscus flowers that I buy in bulk from a Mexican market.
The unassuming yet gorgeous Hibiscus flowers which were all over the garden when I was growing up. The flowers mostly used as a hair cleanser. Shikakai and Hibiscus flowers/leaves were all I had for my hair wash when I was very young. No fancy bottled shampoos - they came into my life during my teens.
Dried Hibiscus Flowers
+ Hot Water
+ Rubber Bands
+ 12" Square Muslin Cloth
= One Cool Lunch Napkin
Not the rich burgundy napkin as the tea naturally but a pleasant dusty rose. Soaked for about 20 minutes - the limit of Ana's patience that day. Hung on the clothesline for about 15 minutes under the blazing sun till mostly dry. Raw edges sewed up in 5 minutes.
I've done quite a bit of tie-dyeing on and off (Who hasn't, really? At least from my generation...), but not with natural dyes. We hope to be exploring more natural dyes as we go along...
Labels: arts and crafts, fabric craft, sewing, tie-dye
posted by Sheela
4 comments
4 Comments:
Tying rubber bands is a clever idea. It was hard for Raghav and Medha to manage with thin thread. Thanks for the tip.
It looks so pretty and seems simple too. Since we have lots of hibiscus plants around, I should try this with shraddha !
I love it! I've been wanting to try something similar with the boys. We may give red cabbage a shot.
Vibha:: I so love all that you do with R and M, not to mention the author interviews and book reviews, and your drawings and story-writing!
Ranjani:: Your renewed energetic posts these days on cooking is wonderful... have I mentioned how much I am in awe that you took up story-telling and have been entertaining the kids in Bengaluru?!
Megan:: I am going to miss seeing Max, but there's still the connection with Luke and Harmony, possibly play dates? I love the relaxed way in which you are raising Max and Luke, they sure are lucky!
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