Mason Delacroix
Dying a pillowcase with Sharpies and alcohol is a fun, creative, and kid-friendly way to revamp boring pillowcases. The process involves using Sharpie markers to draw a design on a pillowcase and then applying rubbing alcohol to the ink to create a tie-dye effect. This technique only works on 100% cotton fabric and cannot be done on synthetic fabrics. It is important to work in a well-ventilated area when using rubbing alcohol, as it is very flammable. This DIY project is an excellent way to add a unique touch to your home decor without breaking the bank.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Sharpie markers, rubbing alcohol, cotton pillowcases, plastic sheet or tray, foil, rubber bands, plastic squeeze bottles, potholder, embroidery hoop, tape, ruler, crafts paintbrush, dropper |
| Preparation | Wash and dry pillowcase without fabric softener, plan design, cover work surface, secure fabric with tape or embroidery hoop |
| Dying process | Use Sharpies to draw design, add rubbing alcohol to make colours spread and mix, let dry, rinse in water, wash with soap |
| Tips | Protect work surface, wear smock, work outside, use 90% proof alcohol, don't oversaturate fabric, let air dry before placing in dryer, experiment with different amounts of alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
Plan your design
Planning your design is an important step in the process of dying a pillowcase with Sharpies and alcohol. The design you choose will depend on your personal preference and creativity. You can draw any design you like, such as shapes, faces, flowers, or a rainbow. You can also experiment with different line widths, dots, or abstract patterns. If you want a section to be one colour, colour it in closely or sparingly for different effects.
It's important to keep in mind that the Sharpie lines will blend together when you add the alcohol, so focus on delivering colour to the fabric in an abstract way. The size of your design elements will also affect how the colour spreads. Larger dots, for example, will result in more colour spread.
You can also try different techniques to apply the alcohol. Using a dropper to drop alcohol onto your design in various places will cause the drawing to disperse and spread. Alternatively, you can use a paintbrush to brush over each line with alcohol to blur it.
Another technique is to drop alcohol into the centres of concentric circles to create a tie-dye effect. The more alcohol you add, the more the design will spread and disperse. You can experiment with different amounts of alcohol to create varied effects.
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Protect your work surface
When tie-dying a pillowcase with Sharpies and alcohol, it is important to protect your work surface. This is because Sharpie markers are permanent and will bleed through the cloth, and the alcohol will cause colours to spread, potentially staining your work surface.
To protect your work surface, you can use a plastic sheet or tray. Alternatively, you could use an old shower curtain or tablecloth. If you are using a tray, you can secure the fabric with tape to prevent it from moving around. You could also use an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric tight while you work.
It is also recommended to work outside if possible, as this project can be messy. If you are working inside, ensure your work area is well-ventilated, as rubbing alcohol is very flammable.
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Apply sharpie design
The first step is to plan your design. You can draw any design you like, such as shapes, dots, faces, flowers, or a rainbow. You can also experiment with line thickness and spacing. For instance, if you want a section to be one colour, colour it in closely or sparingly for different results. The size of the design will also determine how much the colour spreads. Larger dots, for example, will spread more than smaller ones.
Once you have your design, you can start drawing it onto the pillowcase with the Sharpie markers. Remember that the Sharpie ink is permanent and will bleed through the cloth, so it's a good idea to protect your work surface with a waterproof cloth, foil, or a tray. You can also use tape to secure the fabric or an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric tight while you draw.
After you've drawn your design, the next step is to add the rubbing alcohol. You can do this with a dropper or a paintbrush. The more alcohol you add, the more the drawing will disperse and spread. You can experiment with different amounts of alcohol to create different effects. For example, if you draw concentric circles and then drop alcohol into the centres, it will look like tie-dye.
Once you've added the alcohol, you need to let the fabric dry. Depending on how much alcohol you used, you may need to let it air dry before placing it in the dryer. The ink will continue to spread as it dries, so you might not see the final result until it's completely dry.
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Apply alcohol
Now that you have your design, it's time to apply the alcohol. Before you begin, make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors or in a room with open windows, as rubbing alcohol is very flammable and must be kept away from any open flames or heat sources. Protect your work surface with a waterproof cloth or tray, as the Sharpie ink will bleed through the fabric.
There are a few different ways to apply the alcohol, depending on the desired effect. One method is to use a dropper to drop the alcohol onto your design in various places. The more alcohol you add, the more your design will disperse and spread. If you're working with concentric circles, for instance, dropping alcohol into the centres will create a tie-dye effect. Alternatively, you can use a craft paintbrush to brush the alcohol over lines in your design to blur them. If you want to completely saturate your fabric with alcohol, you can pour it directly onto your design or use a spray bottle. Just be aware that as you spray, the colour will bleed through the fabric.
No matter which application method you choose, always start slowly and sparingly. Watch how the alcohol spreads the ink, and don't oversaturate your fabric. It may take several minutes for the ink to stop spreading. Once you're happy with the result, let your pillowcase air dry. If it's very wet, you can place it in the dryer to set the colours.
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Rinse and dry
Once you have completed the dying process, you will need to rinse and dry your pillowcase. Firstly, you should rinse the pillowcase in warm water, then gradually reduce the temperature of the water, rinsing until the water runs clear. Squeeze out any excess water.
At this point, you can carefully cut the rubber bands, ensuring you do not cut the fabric. Remove all the rubber bands and open up the pillowcase. It is recommended to wash the pillowcase in cold water with a small amount of soap—a teaspoon of soap per pillowcase is sufficient.
After rinsing, you will need to dry the pillowcase. You can air-dry the pillowcase, and then put it in the dryer for 20 minutes to heat set it. Alternatively, you can place the dyed fabric in a hot clothes dryer for 15 minutes. You can also iron the fabric with a hot, dry iron for 5 minutes, using a press cloth to protect your ironing surface.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a pillowcase made of 100% cotton, Sharpie markers, 90% proof rubbing alcohol, a dropper, a plastic sheet or tray, and rubber gloves.
First, wash and dry your pillowcase without using fabric softener. Then, draw a design on your pillowcase using the Sharpie markers. You can experiment with dots, lines, shapes, faces, flowers, or rainbows. Once you are happy with your design, use the dropper to drop the rubbing alcohol onto the design. The more alcohol you add, the more the colours will spread and mix. Leave the pillowcase to dry for at least two hours.
This method can be messy, so it is recommended to work outdoors or cover your workspace with a waterproof cloth or tray. You should also wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the ink and alcohol. Additionally, you can use tape to secure the fabric or an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric tight while you draw.
Once the pillowcase is dry, you can sew it into a pillow, leaving a hole for turning and stuffing. You can fill the pillow with rice and add essential oils to create a scented heating pad, or you can stuff it with extra pillows or pillow inserts.
