Supplies

  • Red cabbage
  • Red onion
  • Turmeric
  • White vinegar
  • Salt
  • Water
  • Large stockpot
  • Rubber bands
  • White t-shirts, bandanas or other fabric you want to make more fun
  • Clothesline
  • Clothespins
  • Tongs
  • Strainer
  • Large containers for dyes

Steps

  1. Fold clothing and place rubber bands around cloth to create fun designs (you really can't go wrong here)
  2. In a large stock pot, fill at least halfway with water, add 2 tablespoons of salt and 1/2 cup of vinegar and bring to a boil.
  3. Lower to a simmer and immerse all of the clothing you wish to dye. Simmer for 1 hour.
  4. In another stockpot bring 10-12 cups of water to a boil and add 6-8 tablespoons of turmeric. Stir and set aside.
  5. Chop cabbage and boil in 10-12 cups of water for 30 minutes
  6. Peel onions and add the dry skin only to 10-12 cups of water, boil for 30 minutes.
  7. Strain each dye into a separate container. Discard vegetables.
  8. Immerse clothing completely into the containers and leave for at least 1 hour.
  9. Remove clothing from containers after you're satisfied with the colors. Rinse in cold water. Cut off rubber bands with scissors and hang to dry on clothesline.