This Fourth of July, create a vibrant firework display with tie-dye. We’re here to show you two ways to create your red, white and blue look. Apply your colors front to back or half and half, scroll down to see the difference.

Supplies:

• White Kid's T-Shirt
• Rit Tie Dye Accessory Kit
• Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye in Scarlet and Royal Blue
• Wire Rack
• Container for Dye
• Plastic Table Cover
• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative (Recommended)

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Instructions:

1. Before dyeing, remove any visible stains on the fabric. This will help achieve uniform color results when dyeing. Prewash item in warm, soapy water without any fabric softeners. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

2. Lay damp fabric out on a flat surface.

3. To create the swirl, position your fingers around the center point of the shirt and slowly twist in a spiral direction. Wrap rubber bands around fabric to hold spiral together. Once complete, set aside.

4. Wearing rubber gloves, mix 2 tablespoons of well-shaken liquid dye or 1/2 teaspoon of powdered dye with two cups of hot tap water.

5. Add 1 tablespoon of salt.

6. Pour into a squirt bottle. Shake well.

7. Repeat for each color.

8. Place bound fabric on baking rack with a tray under it. This is very important because it keeps the dye from puddling under the fabric.

9. To create one big swirl (shown on the left), apply Scarlet Red to half of the bound fabric.  Next, apply Royal Blue to the other half. Flip over and repeat to saturate the entire piece.

10. To create thinner lines of color (shown on the right), apply Scarlet Red to the front of the bound fabric. Next apply Royal Blue to the back of the bound fabric.

11. After the dye is applied, let the fabric sit for 30 minutes to allow the dye to absorb.

12. To set the dye, do the following while the fabric is still tied up:

a) Optional: Apply Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative with a squeeze bottle, which will enhance the colors and reduce bleeding. Mix 2 tablespoons of well-shaken ColorStay Dye Fixative with water and apply liberally to both sides of the fabric.

b) We strongly recommend using your microwave, as long as the fabric does not have any metal parts on it. After applying ColorStay Dye Fixative, place dyed fabric in microwave safe container that comes with the kit and seal the edges. Place tray in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes. The tray will create a heat chamber that helps bond the dye with the fabric. Once the microwave is done, remove the fabric and open the tray, letting it cool down.

c) If a microwave is not available or feasible to use and it is a hot sunny day, lay the wrapped fabric out in the sun for an hour.

13. Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear. This is very important to prevent unabsorbed dye from bleeding into any white areas. If possible, rinse with the fabric bundle sitting flat on the baking rack. If it is held vertically, some of the unabsorbed dye could run into white areas as it is rinsed off.

14. Carefully remove rubber bands with a scissors and unfold the fabric.

15. Wash in cold water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.