We are so excited about this DIY project that is perfect for summer! It was so much fun to create and we couldn’t wait to share it with you! This is a tie-dye idea that kids of any age can create with sugar. What? yep, you simply sprinkle sugar to create the design and then spray fabric dye over the shirt. Allow the shirt to dry (the hardest part) and then you quickly have your very own custom designed tie-dyed t-shirt! We love that there are no chemicals involved and that the kids can really get their hands into this project with no concern!
Making this tie dye t-shirts with sugar was as easy as 1-2-3. First we visited our local craft store and picked up a box of tumble dye Tie-Dye (we purchased sei brand).
Next we picked up some plain white T-shirts at the dollar store and finally some Dixie Crystals Granulated Sugar at the grocery store.
How to Tie Dye T-Shirts with Sugar
Supplies:
- Tumble Dry Cold Water Tie Die (we used sei brand), $9.99
- Dixie Crystals Granulated Sugar
- White Tshirts
- Damp Paper Towels or a Water Bottle
- Cardboard
- Newspaper
Directions:
- Begin by cutting some cardboard and placing inside a white t-shirt to keep the tie dye from bleeding through.
- Cover your flat surface with newspaper or other protective surface (This is a great outside project, especially when working with kids!)
- Wet a paper towel and dab it over the shirt to lightly dampen it or use a spray bottle and lightly spritz. This will create a more tie-dye look and will keep the sugar from blowing away.
- Sprinkle sugar over the shirt to create your design or you can just sprinkle in random spots.
- Shake Dye well before using.
- Spray dye over the shirt. Be careful not to blow the sugar off the t-shirt. We chose to create a thick line of sugar so there was no concern of the sugar blowing off plus it gave us a nice design.
- Allow the t-shirt dry completely before removing it off of the cardboard (this took an hour outside and more time inside).
- Rinse the sugar off of the t-shirt in cold water (we used kitchen sink).
- If you are using sei Tumble Dye then you just put the shirt in the dryer to set the color.
The sei tie dye kit costs only $9.99 and I used a 40% off coupon. Each kit makes a total of 12 T-shirts so this is a really affordable summer project! We hope you enjoy this “sweet” twist to the traditional tie-dye t-shirts.
It was so easy to make our shirts and a lot of fun! This would be an easy craft for a birthday party or perfect to create field day T-shirts at school. I loved that the sei tie dye is non toxic and by using the sugar to create the design the kids are really able to get their hands into this project! Perfect for summer fun!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Dixie Crystals however all opinions are 100% our own. Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. Their pure cane sugar products are all natural, non-GMO and provide consistently delicious results.
Melissa is a soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 21 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
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samantha wagner
June 7, 2014 at 7:24 pmThats a really cool idea. I’m always looking for a craft to do with my kids
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 8, 2014 at 1:00 pmThanks! We hope you enjoy!
Katrina Weghorn
June 7, 2014 at 8:07 pmThis is a cute idea! I like the idea of doing a tie dye t-shirt with sugar with my son, he’d probably enjoy the “hands on” time for sure, plus he could wear it after and be proud!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 8, 2014 at 1:01 pmThanks! Yes, Peyton won’t take it off! I see us making more in the near future!
Sherryl Wilson
June 7, 2014 at 8:11 pmI would agree that the hardest part would be leaving it alone long enough to dry! My crew would want to wear them.
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 8, 2014 at 1:01 pmYes, that was hard. Luckily it was hot out and it didn’t take too long.
Jane
June 7, 2014 at 8:16 pmWow! I love this idea! I would have never thought of Tie Dye with sugar!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 8, 2014 at 1:02 pmThanks!
Maralea
June 8, 2014 at 9:50 amMy sister and I used to tye dye shirts all the time when we were youger. I love the idea of using sugar!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 8, 2014 at 1:02 pmIt is so much fun and love that it is non toxic!
Heather Hernandez
June 8, 2014 at 11:57 amSo cool – I didn’t know you can tie-dye with sugar!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 8, 2014 at 1:04 pmYay! Glad you found out through us! 🙂
Amee
June 8, 2014 at 8:54 pmvery cool trick, didn’t know sugar can be used to tie-dye.
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 8, 2014 at 9:14 pmThanks Amee! It was a lot of fun!
petra
June 8, 2014 at 9:56 pmTie-dye is like science and art combined, and this method is super kid-friendly! I love the finished product!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 9, 2014 at 10:35 amI love when you can combine Science and Art for some summer learning 🙂 Thanks!
Kristina & Millie
June 8, 2014 at 10:34 pmLOVE this! Too cool I had no idea you could use sugar to tie dye! I have to try this for sure! If you haven’t hope you will stop by our Snickerdoodle Sunday!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 9, 2014 at 10:35 amThanks Kristina and Millie! You will have to let us know how it turns out for you!
Sherryl Wilson
June 8, 2014 at 10:38 pmWe are going to try making these this week. I like the thought of using sugar instead of bleach since the little ones will be making their own shirts. I can’t wait to show them off!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 9, 2014 at 10:34 amMe too! It was so nice to make this without chemicals!
Steph
June 9, 2014 at 9:51 amVery cute idea! Adding these sugar tye dye shirts to our summer to do list with the kids! They will love them!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 9, 2014 at 10:27 amThanks Stephanie! Let us know how it goes!
Kathy H.
June 9, 2014 at 4:47 pmLove this…hope to be able to try when my sister and nephew come at the end of the month…
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 10, 2014 at 10:09 amThey will love it! You all could make special shirts to remember your visit!
Maralea
June 9, 2014 at 4:55 pmHow fun! Love this idea!!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 10, 2014 at 10:36 amThanks Maralea!
Lauren
June 9, 2014 at 8:59 pmI had no idea you could do this! How fun! I am def. going to try this with my kids this summer!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 10, 2014 at 10:39 amEnjoy!
Alison Gibb
June 9, 2014 at 9:46 pmThis looks like so much fun! I remember tye-dying when I was camp a million years ago!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 10, 2014 at 10:40 amMe too! Love this non toxic version 🙂
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
June 11, 2014 at 4:25 pmSuch a FUN idea, Melissa! Thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 12, 2014 at 3:49 pmThanks Kristi!
Laura |Baking Outside the Box
June 13, 2014 at 7:58 pmVery clever tie dye method and thrifty too. Thanks!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 17, 2014 at 10:16 amThanks Laura!
Antionette Blake
June 14, 2014 at 11:21 pmWhat a neat idea, I just finished a tie dye DIY but doing it the old fashion way with @RitDye. Thanks for posting this at the @WWDParty.
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 17, 2014 at 10:16 amYou are welcome! This is such an easy and non toxic tie dye method. We loved it.
Kathe
June 26, 2014 at 7:49 amSeems to be less messy than the original way
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
June 28, 2014 at 8:11 pmYes, for sure!
Claire Rheinheimer
July 19, 2014 at 3:07 pmThis is awesome! I’m doing this with my 3 year old son and teenage daughter as soon as I get the stuff!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
July 27, 2014 at 2:15 pmI hope they enjoy it!
KAREN F
August 3, 2014 at 12:51 pmthis intrigued me. I’ve never done any tie-dye and want to do a project. Why SUGAR (other than the company provided info)? would SALT work?
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
August 3, 2014 at 5:32 pmThat is a great question. You could try it and let us know. I bet it would work though.