Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol: Part Two

In Part One I showed you how to mark large irregular circle shapes.  Now, let’s learn how to make smaller flowers.

I did this sample on a t-shirt and I wanted the design to be on the front only.  Therefore, I put a baking sheet inside the shirt.

Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol Part One. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

Draw 5 small dots with a Sharpie.

Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol Part One. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

Add a few drops of alcohol in the center of the dots. It will wick outward, taking the pigment with it.

Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol Part One. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

Add more if additional bleeding is desired, but be sure to add it only in the center. Eventually, the color will travel far enough to create a petal effect. Some colors change as they become diluted.

Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol Part One. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

These yellow-green dots turned into the yellow flowers you see below.

Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com

Once dry, details can be added with a thin Sharpie, if desired.

Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com

When dry, heat set in the dryer for 20 minutes and you’re done!

You can also make all-over delicate designs. The examples below were done with a black marker (yes, black) which turned purple and bled when lightly sprayed.  It’s an interesting effect.

Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol Part One. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol Part One. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

I’ve shown you these methods done on cotton fabric.  They can also be used on silk, but the color will bleed MUCH more, giving a lovely water color effect.

I’m sure there are many more things that can be done with this concept.  The basic principle is this: alcohol will wick into dry areas, taking the color with it.  You can use this knowledge to control the movement of color: add alcohol on the left of the pigment if you want the color to move right, and vice versa. Or, of course,  you can spray the entire design for overall bleeding.

Have fun playing!

Ellen Lindner

 

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11 Responses to Dying with Sharpies and Alcohol: Part Two

  1. Theresa Olson March 18, 2018 at 2:08 pm #

    I know you say to heat set for 20 minutes in the dryer. When you wash the shirt, does it fade or do the colors stay true?

    • Ellen Lindner March 25, 2018 at 11:53 am #

      I haven’t washed it yet, Theresa. I’ll try to remember to post about it when I do. Actually, my t-shirt was a poor fit, so maybe I’ll tear it up in order to do some heating and washing experiments.

      • Theresa Olson March 25, 2018 at 12:42 pm #

        Ok, thanks for the info😊

      • Lisa June 21, 2024 at 8:09 pm #

        I LOVE this idea, I’m sure I must have some scraps of fabric to play with before committing. Would ironing set the colors too, or is it best to toss in a dryer for the 20 minutes?

        • Ellen Lindner June 24, 2024 at 12:57 am #

          Hi Lisa, This is a lot of fun. I think ironing is actually recommended. I’m just lazy and let the dryer do the work. Your choice.

  2. Margaret March 28, 2022 at 5:38 pm #

    So, how did the heating and washing experiments turn out?

    • Ellen Lindner March 29, 2022 at 9:26 pm #

      The colors don’t wash out but they did fade some.

  3. Margaret March 30, 2022 at 10:01 am #

    Thanks! Good to know.

  4. Chris Hicks April 7, 2023 at 8:47 am #

    Another way of setting the ink is to iron both sides on the highest setting for a total of ten minutes. Then put it in the dryer!

    • Ellen Lindner April 9, 2023 at 9:07 pm #

      Good to know, Chris. Thanks.

    • Dawn Reisdorf-Lawin August 3, 2023 at 8:09 pm #

      This is best way for sure… dryer alone dies not work well

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