Tie-dye workshop party

What it is

A hands-on craft party where every guest leaves with something they made. Tie-dye kits make it easy: pre-mixed dye in squeezy bottles, gloves and rubber bands. It is messy, so it’s best done outside on a dry day.

Plan ahead

• Two weeks before: ask guests their t-shirt size, or let them bring a white cotton item of their own (100% cotton takes dye best).
• One week before: buy a tie-dye kit with enough dye for the group, plain white cotton t-shirts or totes, and extra gloves.
• The day before: pre-wash the shirts (removes the finish so dye soaks in) and leave them damp in a bag. Label zip bags with each guest’s name.

Set the scene

Cover tables with plastic and set out trays, dye bottles, gloves and rubber bands. Hang a washing line with finished examples. Play a summer playlist. Wear old clothes yourself.

Activities

Folding techniques

• Spiral: pinch the centre of the shirt, twist it into a flat spiral, put 3-4 rubber bands across it like pizza slices, and dye each slice a different colour.
• Bullseye: pinch the centre, pull up into a tube and add bands every few centimetres; dye each section.
• Crumple: scrunch the shirt into a flat ball, band it, and splash colours randomly.

Dyeing

Squeeze dye into the folds, pressing it in so it soaks through. Flip and dye the other side. Avoid putting colours opposite each other on the colour wheel next to each other (red next to green makes brown).

Setting

Put each shirt in its zip bag. It needs 6-8 hours (overnight is best). Give each guest a card: “Rinse in cold water until clear, take off bands, wash on its own.”

Food and drink

• Rainbow sandwiches and wraps
• Fruit skewers
• Popsicles
• A tie-dye cake: marble several coloured batters in one tin

Tips

• Gloves on before touching dye. It stains skin for days.
• Keep the dye area away from patio furniture and anything precious.