Auntie Camp 2018 - Tie Dye!
This is the first year in four that we didn't break out the indigo but don't worry, there was plenty of dye sloshing around!
The first step was to set up the garage. Thank goodness the weather improved a bit with slightly cooler temperatures and a lot less humidity. I cut open some large trash bags, taped them to the work surfaces, and made sure we had plenty of paper towels!
Next, we had to prep all the items that we wanted to die. We used rubber bands, string, marbles, and even a bamboo tiki torch to wrap a shirt around (because I couldn't find anything else pipe-like in a pinch) to twist, fold, and bunch up the fabric as desired/hoped.
Junah joined us this year...
When I put aprons on the boys, one of them remarked that they looked like doctors. When I gloved them up, Addie said, "Yeah, we're doctors of art!"
Jün wasn't really all that into the process, but he was more than content to be hanging around... riding his bike, and coming in to check on Mack & Addie from time to time. I rather left the big boys to their own devices because a) they've done this before, b) we dyed a lot more than last year, and c) I was mostly busy just wrapping things up to cure!
There were six adult shirts, seven for Gin/Jun, three onesies in a couple of sizes, and six for Mack & Addie!
Once wrapped, it was all left to cure for approx. 24 hours.
It's a blast to unwrap everything. I hosed off as much excess dye as I could, first just as it's unwrapped and then when unbound... and, man, there is a LOT of excess dye! Then everything is tossed into the washer...
...I ran four cycles in hot water and with Color Catchers (lots and lots of color catchers... thankfully, Kate was running errands and brought more)! I laid it all out on my bed yesterday morning so the boys could paw through and admire their work.
Here are a couple of faves (I think I did these):
A onesie, a swirl shirt Gin/Jün size, front & back of another Gin/Jün size.
It's almost impossible to keep track of who did what...
Then we had some modeling and photos yesterday morning before Ann & family headed to Madison for the boys' Nana's 96th birthday party!
They're packing up and getting things done today, heading to Chicago on Tuesday to board their flight to Spain, where they'll arrive on Wednesday! We won't see them state-side again until Christmas... and I miss them already. It was a fun visit!
Ali came over later with the kiddos and they modeled, too!
Maybe you can see Ginny where already made her own mark on the one she's wearing... after finding a spray bottle of bleach/water that I had under the sink! (Uh-oh, Grandma's obviously slacking in the childproof department.)
We did a lot more than this at Auntie Camp... another post or two or three is in the works!
What FUN!!! I want to come to Auntie Camp and make tie-dye shirts!!! (Do you know I've never tried one before???) It looks like a wonderful day. XO
Posted by: Kym | 20 August 2018 at 04:18 PM
SO MUCH FUN!!! Tie dyeing together and ending up with so many shirts you can all show off and enjoy is just priceless! I love that you're sitting there in white like the whole process was no sweat. LOL I'm looking forward to more Auntie Camp! (I just "childproofed" my kitchen for the 4 month old running around.) :)
Posted by: margene | 20 August 2018 at 04:28 PM
how awesome, Vicki!! I wanna come to camp, too! those tie-dye projects are perfection (I could even supply a little one to add that special spray of bleach :-)
Posted by: Mary | 20 August 2018 at 04:47 PM
I love Auntie Camp, and it's clear the participants do also! The shirts are awesome and I can't wait to see more of what you did. Thanks for sharing (and let me know when you do this for adults)!
Posted by: Bonny | 20 August 2018 at 07:54 PM
And a good time was had by all! What a fun thing, and I suspect not something that would be nearly as likely to happen in Spain. They'll have good memories and fun stories to share.
Posted by: Robby H. | 20 August 2018 at 08:16 PM
Just the BEST. The happiness on all the faces is wonderful. I, too, want to come to Auntie Camp! Did Mack miss Malina???
Posted by: Vera | 20 August 2018 at 08:20 PM
What fun! I think Auntie Camp might be the best thing ever and I am entirely jealous that I am not a camper!! Those shirts are spectacular! And, personally, I love Gin's bleach spot... it is ironic and so so perfect! XO
Posted by: Kat | 21 August 2018 at 06:13 AM
The tie dye clothes came out fabulous! My grandson Patrick and his girlfriend have been experimenting with tie dyeing, I'm going to show him this inspirational post!
Posted by: Carole | 21 August 2018 at 06:58 AM
What great pictures! And so nice to have a special tradition with you. I love that the boys especially are learning all these great crafts! Since my only child is a boy he experienced a lot of craft stuff with me. He doesn’t do any of it now but is very creative in his own way. I don’t know if he would’ve been without a creative childhood.
Posted by: Marcy | 21 August 2018 at 04:37 PM
This is the best! The designs are all so different and awesome.
Posted by: Patty | 22 August 2018 at 01:24 PM
Next year I want to come to camp at your house. What fun! Jun is looking so grown up all of a sudden. Must be from hanging with the older cousins. It will be very quiet at your house soon. Play music loudly.
Posted by: Robin F | 23 August 2018 at 10:20 PM