As we were plucking dandelions out of the yard the other day, I noticed my hands were beginning to turn yellow. I remembered that dandelions can be used to make a natural dye and since we had SO MANY, I thought we should put them to good use. You know, the "making lemonade out of lemons" idea ;)
So, we separated the heads from the stems...
and put them in a large pot.
Since this was an impromptu craft, I wanted some simple directions and found them here. I liked how they just added the mordant (alum) directly to the dye (step 5 in the instructions) instead of getting out another pot and doing it separately as I had read in other directions. The mordant is the ingredient that sets the dye and an easy one to use is alum. It can be found in the spice section of the grocery store.
Little Brother is stirring his white T-shirt in the dye...
The finished T, dyed a light dandelion yellow!
We thought we'd take it one step further and add a freezer paper dandelion stencil to the front.
Little Brother has very limited vision and had to get up close to make his drawing. There are lots of good freezer paper stencil tutorials, here's a link to get you started. He's drawing directly on the freezer paper.
I helped by cutting out the drawing to make the stencil...
Then, I placed it on the T-shirt and ironed it on, shiny-side down...
Now, it's time to add the paint. Put a piece of cardboard between the front and back of the shirt so the paint doesn't bleed through to the back side. Little Brother started dabbing on the fabric paint and then I helped to make it complete.
Pull off the freezer paper, let the paint dry (follow directions on your fabric paint bottle for drying) and you have one happy customer!
A dandelion drawing on a dandelion-dyed T-shirt!
Hi - I am looking into making natural dyes for a project and I was wondering, with the one you made: how long does it keep for? I need to make it in a few days in advance of the activity.
Thank you -
M
Posted by: MK | May 01, 2009 at 04:32 AM
I would love to post a link to this article on my blog. Would you mind emailing me about permission to do so? (I would especially like to use an accompanying photo from your post with the link if you wouldn't mind)
kmagill1212 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks!
havingfunathomeblog.blogspot.com
Posted by: Having Fun at Home | December 10, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Love, love, love this shirt!!! I would have never guessed it was made from the dye of dandelion flours and paint. Your son did a great job!
Posted by: Amy | September 11, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Fantastically cute shirt! Great project! Well done!
Posted by: Shelley Noble | July 01, 2008 at 01:07 PM
What a great project - I love the shirt made with his dandelion drawing! We'll be doing something like this for sure... :)
Posted by: Amy @ Let's Explore | June 27, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Oh, I love this idea! Dandelions are so happy!
Posted by: melissa | June 27, 2008 at 06:04 AM
I love this t-shirt idea. I have a little, special place for dandelions...they fall in my: if they're a pretty weed let them grow: philosophy. Happy Tuesday!
Posted by: Jessica | June 24, 2008 at 05:34 AM
That is SO COOL. And such clear instructions - I now know a brilliant activity to do with my visiting nieces in a couple of weeks. I'll post the results on my blog as well :)
Posted by: Tanya | June 17, 2008 at 06:22 AM
I love his dandelion drawing, it's just adorable! I need to try this freezer stenciling thing :)
Posted by: Annie | June 14, 2008 at 11:47 PM
The shirt came out great. I love the idea of using something 'free' from nature to enhance our lives. Have you thought about dandelion tea or eating the leaves too? I've only heard about those things- haven't had quite the courage to give it a try.
Posted by: Ellen | June 12, 2008 at 03:43 PM
What great afternoon fun!
Posted by: maya | June 12, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Way cool, Little Brother...waaay cooool.
Posted by: Nina | June 12, 2008 at 01:20 PM
oops. I wouldn't really call this a beast idea! It is a "best". ; )
Posted by: Madeline | June 12, 2008 at 05:47 AM
You always ahve the beast ideas! I'm going to do this with the kids for father's day (the stencil part anyway). We'll have to wait for more time to do the dying.
Posted by: Madeline | June 12, 2008 at 05:45 AM
Oh, I just love all of it, dying with dandelions, the tutorial, and your son's drawing looks great, very contemporary
Posted by: jessica | June 10, 2008 at 11:02 PM
All those dandis look so pretty in the pot! As does the shirt on your boy! Can't wait to try some of that stenciling-I only bought 3 rolls of freezer paper over a year ago to try it! Must get started.
Posted by: Kristen | June 10, 2008 at 07:03 AM
This shirt is way cool! I would pay money for one! Such creativity there.
Posted by: Christie | June 09, 2008 at 01:14 PM
wow. that is such a great idea. especially done in impromptu.
Posted by: homemoma | June 09, 2008 at 10:06 AM
beautiful. i love it. from start to finish. everything about it shouts "HOOOOORAY!"
i can't wait to try it.
Posted by: cyndi | June 09, 2008 at 02:40 AM
Awesome! What a great idea - and it turned out perfectly! Love the drawing.
Posted by: Denise | June 08, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Hooray for little brother! =)
Posted by: Allison Fouse | June 08, 2008 at 12:52 PM
That is such a cool idea. I love that everyone was involved and that you, indeed, did make lemons out of lemonade!
And the dandelion drawing is fantastic. I'd buy it on etsy!
Posted by: Tracey@Paper Dolls for Boyst | June 08, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Great job on the shirt. Good to know dandelions are good for something more than weeds and salads.
Posted by: emily | June 08, 2008 at 11:00 AM
That is SO fantastic! I love that it was colored with the dandelions and then decorated with a drawing of one. That is so genius.
Posted by: Wendy | June 08, 2008 at 10:42 AM
That is all kinds of awesome!! What a great way to make use of your dandelions, and his drawing for the t-shirt is so cool. Love it!
Posted by: kate | June 07, 2008 at 10:12 PM