Mini Tie-Dye Gift Bags

How to Make

Before you start:
1. Rinse the bag by hand then squeeze out most of the water until it is damp.

   Place the polythene sheet from the kit over your work surface. Place the bag on top with the zip closed then pull out any creases or wrinkles.

To make a striped pattern:

2. Fold the bag into a series of 1cm pleats. Turn the fabric over each time you fold a pleat to make a concertina strip.
   To make a pattern with vertical stripes, pleat the bag starting from the bottom towards the top.
   To make a pattern with horizontal stripes pleat the bag from side to side.
   To make a diagonal pattern, pleat the bag from side to side (along the length) then twist it around the end of a paintbrush or a wooden spoon handle covered in a plastic bag. Or, pleat it diagonally from corner to corner.

   Wrap elastic bands tightly around the folded fabric.

To dye the fabric:

3. Wear the disposable gloves in the kit then follow the instructions for adding water to the dye bottle and applying it onto both pieces of fabric.
   Squeeze the dye over the tied fabric. Press and roll the fabric so the dye reaches the middle folds.

   Leave the tied fabric pieces to dry for 6-8 hours hanging over a bowl with newspaper or paper towel underneath.
   Remove all the elastic bands (with gloves on) then open out the fabric. If it still feels very wet, remove any excess dye with paper towel or leave it to dry for a bit longer.

   Rinse the fabric in water. Rinse off any dye left on the ribbon bag ties.
   Leave the bag to fully dry. Cover the bag with a pressing cloth then iron out the creases.

Top Tip

Keep the folds tight and neat so the tie-dye pattern is in scale with the small size of the bag.