As I was preparing for Lily's Christmas Craft Party, I wanted, I mean needed, some Christmasy buttons. I didn't want to use my fancy schmancy buttons, but my tiny buttons were kinda boring. Then I remembered my mom's tip on dyeing buttons. That's right, dyeing. I gave her a call, interrupted her in-house doll-making class, and had my emergency crafting question answered. Phew!
It's crazy easy. Pick up some liquid Rit Dye and.......
- Put a handful of white or light colored buttons in a microwaveable glass dish, like a Pyrex measuring cup.
- Pour liquid Rit over buttons until they're covered or nearly covered with the dye.
- Cover dish securely with plastic wrap.
- Microwave for 2 1/2 minutes.
- Pour buttons into a colander in the sink (at this point they will look super weird and you'll be like, "This did not work. That Laura is crazy."
- Rinse thoroughly and they will start to look like buttons again.
- Rinse again with vinegar.
- Let dry or dry with a paper towel if you're like me and can't handle waiting.
WARNING: Though easy, this is a very messy activity. Have some Comet
or Ajax on hand so you can quickly scrub up any splattered dye.
Aren't my buttons festive?
Lily's craft party was a hit. She is always begging for play dates with her friends at school and this gave me an opportunity to meet their parents so it'll be a bit easier getting together more often. We did four crafts with 8 girls. If you beg and plead I will share them with you. ;-)
Meanwhile, if someone loses a button off a shirt around here I'm in big trouble.
That is absolutely sweet! I was wanting to make some mini wreathes out of buttons last year but I didn't have enough red and green ones. I, like you, do have a plethora of white ones though!
Now I just need to stumble upon some red and green RIT dye at a thrift store.
Posted by: Jodie R. | May 15, 2009 at 10:08 PM