Bubble Dyeing Tutorial with Juletones

Let's get started!

Pre-wash your t-shirt in hot water using Dharma Dyer’s Detergent. Mix 1 Gallon of warm water with 1 Cup of Soda Ash in a bucket. Soak your t-shirt for at least 30 minutes.

Make a t-shirt form - Place foam board or cardboard inside a trash bag and tape it in place.

Mix your bubble dye solution.

• Add 1-2 Tablespoons of dye to your bubble solution, depending on how dark you want the color to be. Stir until the dye is dissolved. (Strain with mesh and funnel if there’s too much undissolved dye)
• Now add thickening ingredients to the dye (Approximate measurements adjust as needed).
  • 2 TBS Karo Syrup
  • 2 Tsp Glycerin
  • 1/4 Tsp Sodium Alginate
  • 1/8 Tsp Dish Soap

Let the dye solution sit for a while to let the foam dissipate (It makes it hard to blow bubbles when there’s too much).

Set up your t-shirt: Wring out excess soda ash (wear gloves!) from your t-shirt but leave it pretty damp. Lay your t-shirt flat and insert your t-shirt form.

Blow bubbles!!

• Coat bubble wand in dye solution and gently blow bubbles about a foot away from your shirt.
• Once you’ve added as many bubbles as you like, let the shirt sit for a few minutes while you give your working surface a quick clean up so you don’t smear dye when you flip it over.
• Flip your t-shirt over and repeat the process.
• Let it batch for 12-24 hours. Pro-Tip: typically you would cover the shirt to keep the moisture in while batching but I find it works better to let it dry out so dye lines and patterns stay crisper
• Wash your shirt- rinse with cold water, then warm, until the water is mostly clear. Wash with HOT water and Dyer’s Detergent, use Milsoft in the rise cycle if you desire. Dry as normal.

Float away in your bubbly dyed garment! Great fun for a party out on the lawn!