Crafts don't have to be complicated. With the holiday season ahead, an easy, enjoyable craft can cover many gifting bases. What could be more fun than experimenting with a simple tie-dye?

This publicity photo provided courtesy of “Martha Stewart Living” magazine shows a dip-dyed finished scarf as seen in the October 2012 issue of Martha Stewart Living. This DIY project and other dyeing projects are featured at Martha Stewart online. Scarves take on a whole new look when dip-dyed, a DIY project that requires little investment in time or money. (AP Photo/Martha Stewart Living, Johnny Miller) ORG XMIT: NYLS189

A few do-it-yourself sources have taken tie-dye up a notch, away from the explosions of primary colors seen on camp T-shirts into a more elegant realm that's perfect for gift giving.

One such project — tie-dyeing tights — appears in “The Bust DIY Guide to Life” (STC Craft, 2011), edited by Laurie Henzel and Debbie Stoller. And the idea transcends tights. Besides making gifts, it works for “anything that you have that either you didn't like the original color or you think needs sprucing up,” said Callie Watts of Bust magazine, which aims its pop-culture content at young women.

In the book, a pair of white tights is folded accordion-style from toe to top and secured with rubber bands. It's boiled in a pot of black fabric dye, such as Rit, for about 15 minutes, stirred constantly, then removed and rinsed. The bands are removed and the tights laid flat to dry. Another option adds a second color.

Page 1 of 2

12Next

Show / Hide Comments