Supplies:
- Cotton Boat Tote
- Rit All-Purpose Powder Dye in Petal Pink and Sunshine Orange
- Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
- Sink or (2) Large Containers for Dyeing
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoons
- Salt
- Liquid Dish Detergent
- Plastic Table Cover
- Plastic Gloves
Time: 1 Hour
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions:
- Pre-wash tote in warm, soapy water. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption. Leave damp.
- Gather supplies.
- Fill two separate plastic or stainless steel containers with 2 gallons of hot water in each. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
- To enhance the color, add one cup of salt to each dyebath. Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
- Wearing rubber gloves, add 1 cup of Sunshine Orange Rit All-Purpose dye to one container and 1 cup of Petal Pink dye to the other container. Stir well.
- Dip half of the damp tote into the Petal Pink dyebath. To prevent a straight line, keep moving up and down in the dyebath to create a gradient.
- When desired saturation is achieved, rinse out excess dye and rinse in cool water until the water runs clear. Keep dyed portion downward to avoid getting dye onto the undyed areas.
- Turn the tote over and dip the other half into the Sunshine Orange dyebath, following the same steps above.
- Remove from the dyebath. Squeeze out excess dye.
- We strongly recommend using Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing. It enhances the color, increases color retention and prevents dye from bleeding into white areas.
- Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
- Hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.
