Sharpie Tie Dye Bandanas

We are having fun with our tie dye theme this week.  If you read many blogs, then you must know that sharpie tie dyeing is popping up everywhere.  I think I first saw it mentioned at Our Nifty Notebook with a link to Sun Scholars.  We tried it on bandanas, and this is how we did it:

Our plain white bandanas came from Wal-Mart (in the craft section) and they were $1.00 each.  I began by placing as many cups as possible under the bandanas and holding them in place with rubber bands.  We used nine cups for each bandana.

Then, C and R used Sharpies to color designs on each of the nine circles.

R designed this bandana

This is C's design

Next, they used a dropper to put a few drops of rubbing alcohol in the center of each design.  I have to admit they got a bit carried away, but that worked out okay for us.

The ink spread quickly (red, pink, and green seem to spread the best); we left the bandanas on the cups to dry.

C and R were happy with the finished results:

This is R's finished bandana

This is C's finished bandana

I think they came out great, and now they can be worn in many different ways,

or they can be used for doll blankets,

and I am sure that C and R will come up with many more uses for their new tie dyed bandanas.

For the science behind sharpie tie dyeing, check out Steve Spangler's website!