Tie Dye Shoes
A few months ago something crossed my vision while looking for another craft project. A year or so ago I found an old tie dye kit from Tulip for sneakers. I did a pair and they turned out so nice. After I made them I realized why the kit was on clearance. Tulip no longer makes the kit:(
The new item is Sharpie tie dye sneakers. You can just google it for directions but it is super easy to make. You will need a pair of white canvas shoes, masking tape, rubbing alcohol, sharpie markers (the darker colors work best) and either a spray bottle or dropper.
I took out the shoe laces and cover the plastic bits on the shoes with the tape (even so some of the dye went onto the plastic part - not the end of the world). When drawing your design you do want to leave some white space between the colors (this allows the dye to run).
After you have completed the patterning fill a spray bottle or dropper with rubbing alcohol. Different sites I read suggested 90%, but all I had on hand was 70% isopropyl alcohol and it worked just fine). There is actually a difference between rubbing and isopropyl alcohol (thanks Google).
Any woo, just spray it all over the shoes until the colors start to run. I sprayed and was worried it was not running enough (the colors), but had to leave it to eat a spot of lunch. When I returned I realized I had worried for nothing - the colors ran together just fine.
I then let them dry and when completely dried put the laces back in the shoes. According to the sites I visited the dye does not rub off on feet or socks when the shoes are worn. (Although I would be a little cautious about getting the shoes wet). I know the other pair I dyed with Tulip dyes have never stained my feet or socks.
I am quite pleased with how they turned out. I think this would be a good child friendly project (with supervision of course). It is really not very messy and can be completed in under an hour (including drying time).