Tie-Dyed Silk Artwork

rubber gloves
facemask
measuring spoons
paper funnels
bucket
vinegar
rubber bands
silk fabric
scissors or razor blade
measuring tape
pencil
squirt bottles
powder dye
plastic baggies that slide close
paper plate or paper towels
microwave
washing machine
detergent
iron
raw picture frame molding: have the wood cut at a home improvement store
- 2 pieces cut 16" long with mitered corners
- 2 pieces cut 20" long with mitered corners
spray paint
frame making vice
wood glue
1" nails and hammer
wood putty
acid-free foam board
double-stick tape
pointer gun or framing staple gun
craft paper
screw eyes
single-edge razor blade
awl
picture wire
bumper pads

Steps:

1. Cut a 17" x 21" piece of silk fabric.

2. Place the silk in a bucket and cover with vinegar for at least 30 minutes.

3. Put on a facemask and rubber gloves to mix the dye.

4. Using paper funnels and measuring spoons, add powder dye, urea, and water into squirt bottles. Shake well.

6. Put on clean rubber gloves.

7. Over a sink with lightly running water (just to keep you and your art clean), apply the dye, in the squirt bottles, to the silk (figure B). Be creative.

8. Squeeze out excess dye and place silk in a plastic baggie. Slide the closure about halfway.

9. Place the baggie on a paper plate or paper towel in the microwave.

11. Start a small load, short/medium cycle on the cold setting in a washing machine. Remove the silk from the baggie and toss it into the washer.

12. After the cycle, remove the silk, remove the rubber bands (figure C), open your piece and admire it for a few seconds (figure D).

13. Repeat step 11, only this time add a drop of detergent.

14. When finished but still wet to damp, iron on a low setting (silk setting if available) (figure E). This is the final process and finishes setting the dyes.