x

Tie Dye Paper Experiment

  • Art & Art History
  • History & Social Studies
  • Science & STEM
  • Kindergarten
  • Grades 4-5
  • Grades 1-3

Learn a fold & paint technique to create a spiral tie-dyed pattern on a new crafting surface: paper towels! 

Materials



Paintbrushes
Watercolor Paint Palette

Wax Paper

Paper Towel (Square Shaped)

Medium-Sized Water Bowl

Instructions



Step  1.

Gather your supplies. 

Step  1.

Gather your supplies. 

Step  2.

Fold the paper towel in half. Since your paper towel is square, it doesn’t matter which way you fold it.

Step  2.

Fold the paper towel in half. Since your paper towel is square, it doesn’t matter which way you fold it.

Step  3.

Fold the paper towel in half again to form a smaller square.

Step  3.

Fold the paper towel in half again to form a smaller square.

Step  4.

Take the folded edge and bring it to the other side to make a triangle.

Step  4.

Take the folded edge and bring it to the other side to make a triangle.

Step  5.

Repeat Step 4, to make a skinny triangle.

Step  5.

Repeat Step 4, to make a skinny triangle.

Step  6.

Dip the paper towel in the bowl of water, make sure it gets really wet. Then, gently squeeze out the extra water.

Step  6.

Dip the paper towel in the bowl of water, make sure it gets really wet. Then, gently squeeze out the extra water.

Step  7.

Place a piece of wax paper down to cover your table surface. Place the wet paper towel on the waxed covered table. Paint designs, such as stripes, on the paper towel. Turn the paper towel over and repeat the designs on the other side. 

TIP: Wax paper allows you to cover your surface without having the project stick to your table.

Step  7.

Place a piece of wax paper down to cover your table surface. Place the wet paper towel on the waxed covered table. Paint designs, such as stripes, on the paper towel. Turn the paper towel over and repeat the designs on the other side. 

TIP: Wax paper allows you to cover your surface without having the project stick to your table.

Step  8.

Roll the paper towel together and squeeze, you want to make sure that the paint soaks through all the layers of the paper towel.

Step  8.

Roll the paper towel together and squeeze, you want to make sure that the paint soaks through all the layers of the paper towel.

Step  9.

Start to unfold the paper towel. You may want to add additional paint as you unfold for areas which were not fully covered.

Step  9.

Start to unfold the paper towel. You may want to add additional paint as you unfold for areas which were not fully covered.

Step  10.

Unfold the paper towel all the way to reveal a symmetrical design. The design will be very vibrant while it’s wet, however the colors may fade slightly when the paper towel is dry.

Step  10.

Unfold the paper towel all the way to reveal a symmetrical design. The design will be very vibrant while it’s wet, however the colors may fade slightly when the paper towel is dry.

Step  11.

Once the paper towel is dry, use it for other crafting projects. You may choose to use decoupage glue to mount it on a piece of foam board for a colorful design, or cut it up to use it in a collage!

Step  11.

Once the paper towel is dry, use it for other crafting projects. You may choose to use decoupage glue to mount it on a piece of foam board for a colorful design, or cut it up to use it in a collage!

The science and history of tie-dye is bright & colorful! Explore this technique in class to create your own far out art!

  • Color Test: How many colors can your students create? Challenge them to only use primary paints, then watch them spread and blend. Have the kids call out all the secondary colors they see!       
  • Paper Towel Science: This material is made from many tiny pores. So, when it’s placed in water, the water moves against gravity because of the special attraction water molecules have for each other, which is an example of capillary action. As the water travels through the paper towel, it takes different substances with it, like the watercolors!

The history of tie-dying dates to 5th century Asia, and even today the Bai people traditionally make natural dyes and beautiful patterns. As a class, watch one artist’s technique of making dark blue with leaves! Where else have your students seen tie-dye throughout history? What did it symbolize in America during the 60s?