Throw a Tie Dye Shower!

(Onesie against my wave blanket.)
(Pile of clothes jumbled in stroller - storage, i neezit.)

Ever since before I was pregnant, I had this fabulous idea of inviting my students to a tie dye party where we would create a little hand-made wardrobe for LO.

Last Thursday I introduced my class to Hippie 101: the tie dye t-shirt.

Total cost (for me): about $70

• Jacquard Tie Dye Kit (10-15) $16.96 at Amazon each, but I found them later (doh!) at Save-on-crafts for about $9.99 each.
• 5 Pack Gerber Onesies (0-3 months) $9.99 at Target, on sale now for $3.48!
• 5 Pack Gerber SideSnap Shirt (Newborn) $9.99 at Target.
• 10 Pack Circa Pastel Boy Bibs (Blue) $15.49 at Target.

Given the steep price tag, would I do this again? Yes, but I'd wait for the sales. I would have bought the onesies and tees anyway, and now I'll think of my students when I see them.

A couple of suggestions to keep your tie dye process (mostly) mess free in the classroom:

1. Fold and tie the tees first, while still dry.
2. Take two buckets: Soak tees in one with water and baking soda for 1/2 hour. Fill dye bottles and carry outside in other bucket.
3. Carry both buckets, a couple of newspapers, and plastic bags outside.
4. Take out dye bottles and place on flat surface. Spread out newspaper 3-4 sheets thick. Wring out tees and transfer to newspaper. Empty wet bucket.
5. Squirt tees with dye (2-3 colors are best). Pick up with plastic bag, and then tie bag closed. Don't open for 24 hours. Take home; rinse and wash next day by itself or with other tie dye tees.

(We also labeled the student t-shirts with folded tape on the rubber bands or ties, but for baby clothes this is obviously not a problem.)