Kool-aid dyed playsilks, take #1

Using Kool-aid to dye silks is something I've seen on many blogs, Artful Parent being the 1st, but here and here also have some great instructions. I've oohed and awed at the gorgeous results and couldn't wait to try myself.
So my mom-buddy, Casandra, and I bought some various size blank silk scarves from Dharma Trading Company including some 8" x 54" ones to make streamers like this. We chose colors of drink mix to purchase using this handy dandy color chart. Going through the grocery checkout with my 4 dozen packets of artificial colors and flavors was a bit strange. I don't think Zara has ever tasted Kool-aid, what a deprived child huh!

Anyway, Casandra and I took the knowledge from perusing the blogs and message board posts about playsilks and ran with it, adding in our own bits of creativity. I figured it would be nice to add to the pool of information by posting some of our techniques and pictures. Keep in mind we did this throughout the day with many breaks to nurse babies, hold an impromptu baby photoshoot, go to the dentist (me, blah), and pick up our big kids from gymnastics. Really it's pretty much impossible to screw up this project so don't be nervous about trying it out.

First step is to soak your silks for about 20 minutes in hot water with a splash of vinegar (I didn't measure the time or liquids).

Then we decided to be all crazy with our first project (the steamers) by doing 3 colors and sort of a tie dye (great idea Casandra!). We folded each streamer in half lengthwise and tied dental floss around both layers twisted together starting at the folded end. Once we were about 1/3 of the way down we separated the 2 halves and finished tying each half separately.

We mixed up puple dye in mason jars, using 1 cup water, 1/4 cup vinegar, and one packet of grape drink mix for each jar since we were only doing 1/3 of 2 small silks. We put the double layer part (will be the middle of the streamer) into the purple dye with the blank edges draped over the jar.

We microwaved on high for 3 minutes, then let rest for 3 minutes, and repeated once more. Once they were cooled off we rinsed in the sink and then did the other ends in pink (using more packets and 3 cycles in the microwave since the color isn't as strong).
Once the pink was cooled and rinsed we did the final ends of each streamer in blue (again using 2 packets per jar and 3 cycles in the microwave).
Here are the dyed streamers, they still need to be attached to handles. We left one untied as a control (center in 1st pic) and I have to say the tied effect is awesome, well worth the extra time and minty fresh fingers!



We also did a couple of red silks in a pan on the stove.

However, even using 8 packets of red drink mix they aren't quite as vibrant as we want so we are going to over dye with food color next week. Casandra did the smaller purple one in the microwave, putting only the center in for the 1st zap time and tying the corners.


Rounds 2 and 3 will be coming up within the next week. We have some other great ideas and color combos we can't wait to experiment with!