Sharpie Dye Color Bursts

[IamSusie]

Okay, everyone HAS to try this.  It's so easy and fun.  I saw this on Happy Things and she saw it on Steve Spangler Science.  


You draw on fabric with Sharpies (I suppose you can also use other types of permanent markers. I happen to have a lot of Sharpies.) Draw a design that is at least an inch in diameter. More ink bleeds more. Drip rubbing alcohol into the center of the design and watch the ink bleed out to beautiful effect. (I'm informed that rubbing alcohol is known as surgical spirit in the UK.)  Use alcohol with a low water content for better results 70% or 90% alcohol.



We used a straw instead of a medicine dropper to drip the alcohol, you only need a few drops for each design.  It does have a strong smell!  After a few minutes, we could remove our creations from the glass and lay them on an old towel to dry completely.



We used some muslin and a cut up old sheet for our fabric.  My daughter already made a card for her teacher out of some of our lovely sharpie color bursts.  



Heat set with an iron or in the clothes dryer.  Be sure the alcohol is completely dry as it is very flammable!

[Cinnapaste]

Oh my gosh! I totally remember doing this in a science class my freshman year of high school. = ]

So much fun. 

and yours turned out beautiful.

[DoodleLou]

Awesome!  Clicks "This Rocks!"

[Belladune]

that's bloody neat! I might have to do this with my 4 yr old... I bet he'd get a kick out of it.... going to dig up the scrap muslin and the sharpie markers as soon as I know the baby is napping!

[IamSusie]

It is a great project!  The smell is very strong too.

[pollypocket]

wow that is really neat!

[DannieJo]

Ooohh, I bet that would be cute on a baby onesie. Totally different from the stuff they sell in stores. I'll bet it would also cover up some of the stains on older white onesies pretty well. I just might have to try it. Do you think it would work ok on knit fabric?

[IamSusie]

It will absolutely work on knit fabric!  One of the ways to use this technique is on t-shirts.  I also did it on a polyester satin and it worked too, although this cotton was just a bit better because it was more absorbent.

[Belladune]

this project may be a tad bit beyond my 4 yr old... at least the dripping of the alcohol onto the fabric.  coloring the fabric, however wasnt.. he just soaked one spot causing the ink to not spread very well.. but eh, I can let him draw on fabric and I'll do the driping LOL

[Dragonflywer]

Your designs turned out beautifully! I've tried this before and it's both easy and a lot of fun!