Like many of you, I was first introduced to Rit Dye in elementary school. I’ve always associated the product with the cheesy tie-dye shirts I made in fourth grade, but I’ve recently discovered that Rit Dye is actually a really versatile craft supply.
My favorite use for Rit Dye is adding color to old wardrobe items to give them a new look. This is a great way to refresh your wardrobe when you’re on a tight budget because it works with t-shirts, jeans, and pretty much any clothing item that is mostly cotton. And, if your kids tend to stain their clothes, you can often camouflage minor stains with a coat of Rit Dye.
The Fashion and Accessories section of the Rit Dye website has instructions for several awesome wardrobe makeovers. Some of the techniques are harder than others, so I’d recommend starting with the projects labeled as “Easy” until you are confident you understand the process.
There are a few different methods to use when dyeing fabric with Rit Dye. I normally just use the liquid dye in a bucket of hot water with salt to help hold the color. I’ve heard a lot of people have good luck dyeing fabric in the washing machine, but I’ve been too afraid to try this myself so far.
The most important thing to remember when you’re working with Rit Dye is that you need to be very careful not to spill any dye in your work area. Get yourself a sturdy pair of rubber gloves. It’s also a good idea to keep some rags and bleach handy to quickly clean up any spills.
Another tip for working with Rit Dye is that the intensity of the color depends on how long you leave the fabric in the dye bath. For example, Rit Dye in Scarlet produces a deep red when you let your fabric soak for about an hour. A quick dip in the same shade gives you an orangish-pink. Add a bit of Lemon Yellow and you’ll end up with a pretty coral color.
Do you use Rit Dye in your crafting projects? If so, what is your favorite dyeing technique or tip?
Photo credit: Rit Dye
