1. Cover table with plastic. Gather supplies.

   

2. Prewash bags, rinse and leave wet.
3. Scrunch up and/or fold the bags in various ways and wrap rubber bands around them. The end pattern will depend on the placement of the rubber bands and the way the bags are scrunched or folded. 

   

4. Fill plastic container with with hot water. Shake dye bottle well and add a 1/2 bottle to container. Add 1 cup of salt to dyebath (this helps to intensify the color). Add a squirt of liquid dish detergent. Stir well. Note: the dye to water ratio may change depending on the weight of the bags you are using. Follow instructions on packaging. 

   

5. Test dye color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too dark, add more water.
6. Immerse fabric bundle into the dyebath. For a high contrast pattern, keep the bundle in the dye for about 3 to 5 minutes to keep the bound-up part dye-free. For more color and less white areas, let the square set in the dyebath for 10 to 20 minutes. 

   

7. When desired color is achieved, remove the fabric bundle from the dyebath. Squeeze out excess dye. Do not remove rubber bands. 

   

8. To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing. Add four tablespoons of ColorStay Dye Fixative to there gallons of hot water. Stir well. Place dyed fabric bundle into the bath. Stir on and off for 20 minutes.
9. Rinse fabric in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear. Carefully remove rubber bands; unfold the fabric. Wash the fabric in warm water with mild detergent by hand or in your washing machine with an old towel, rinse and dry.
10. Enjoy!

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