Tea Tasting & Dye Party

Here is a reprint of an article I wrote last year for Easter:

http://studiocam.wordpress.com/2007/04/07/spring-tea-party/

This year we did the same thing...only we extended it to a "Tea Tasting" party and we dyed YARN instead of eggs.

Blessings & Health, Kristie

http://www.thewaldorfchannel.com/

Easter Dye Ideas

There is something about Easter that just makes me want to dye everything! We do play silks, clothing, yarn and of course, eggs. Why get out the dye and go to all that work just for one thing?

Here are a couple "tried a true" tips for using natural dyes (plants, herbs, etc...)

NATURAL FIXATIVE FOR PLANTS:1. Mix 8 cups of cold water with 2 cups of vinegar
2. Put in a cooking pot.
3. Simmer your cloth (do not boil) for an hour in this solution.
4. Rinse in clean tap-water and squeeze out the excess water
5. Line dry
6. Once it is dry it can be used and washed normally
For future reference

NATURAL FIXATIVE – GENERAL RECIPE
If you are using berries for color, you can make a simple fixative of 8 cups cold water and a half cup of salt. If you are using plant materials, mix 8 cups cold water with 2 cups of vinegar. Add your item, and simmer for an hour. Rinse and gently squeeze out excess water.

PRODUCT: Playsilks to Dye

A friend recommended the following site to purchase plain playsilks from:

http://www.thaisilks.com/

once purchased, you can use natural dyes to color them! This makes a great project for the children and is also an affordable way to double the costumes in your dress-up trunk. It is amazing what children can do with playsilks!