If you are looking for a fabulous, unique, EASY project to welcome spring, then this DIY Sharpie Tie Dye Scarf Tutorial is for you! I love to create these for last-minute gifts or fun projects when I get together with girlfriends. They make any simple outfit simply beautiful……and since they are so easy to create, you can always have an extensive collection on hand!
Let’s Do This!
You will need:
- Sharpies in various colors and points
I really love to use wider-nib markers so they create bigger designs, but the techniques are SO endless. It’s beautiful to create big washes of color, then go back with a fine point to define the lines. Play with it….make a couple “sample” scarves to find the design technique you like best. I use both of these Sharpie marker collections with great success: Sharpie fine point, Sharpie chisel point, and Sharpie ultra fine (to define designs after the design wash).
I like to use silk because it “bleeds” the marker design evenly and creates a beautiful watercolor effect. Scarves come in many different dimensions, so chose one that compliments your final design. I get most of my scarves from Dharma Trading because they have an amazing selection of sizes, shipping is so quick, and the quality is consistently great. Not to mention….Dharma is extremely affordable! I usually use the 8″ X 72″ scarves because they are so versatile.
- Rubbing alcohol
Just regular ol’ drugstore rubbing alcohol will do. Keep your Grey Goose for the company.
- Spray bottle and/or dropper
This is used to apply the alcohol – but if you find a method you like better (like a paint brush), then rock on, Sister Scarf Maker. I love to use pipettes because they hold a lot….and I hate to keep drawing alcohol while I apply it to the scarf.
That’s really it. The rest of the supplies are up to you – they’re used to minimize the mess. And you know how I feel about messes – I encourage making them (in the name of art and fun, of course).
I put newspaper, then butcher paper under the scarf and tape it down (lightly). This allows the scarf to be taut while I draw the design. You decide what layers work for you (and your work area).
Draw your design. BAM.
Involve your family (sans the Sharpies for the little ones).
Just keep drawing! Have fun! You seriously CANNOT make a mistake on this project!
If you thought you had fun making your design, PUT ON YOUR ART-FUN SEATBELT for the next step because it’s even MORE EXHILARATING!
**Before this step, I put towels underneath the scarf so the alcohol can be absorbed, and doesn’t “sit” underneath the scarf.
Using the spray bottle or pipette, apply alcohol to your design and let the marker lines turn into running watercolor. I know. It’s almost too much excitement for one project.
Let it dry – which doesn’t take long, because it’s alcohol – it has weak molecular bonds. But you knew that.
That’s it! If you want, go back with a fine point black marker and re-define the shapes. The finishing steps are up to you…the artist. But whatever you do, enjoy your beautiful new wearable work of art.
If you love the simple, unique, FABULOUS look of Sharpie tie-dye, then check out our other projects for bags: Sharpie Marker Tie-Dye Tutorial. They are JUST as much fun.
Love this!!! You would never guess that these beautiful designs were made with a sharpie marker!
Thanks for sharing at Create Link Inspire! 🙂
Holy sharpies!!! The tie dye scarves are terrific! When my precious little princess was a toddler and someone would ask her what her favorite color was, she’d say it was tie dye. This project was so much fun for both of us. We used both silk and linen fabric, and we used narrow and wide markers. Because I wear a lot of black, I even made a scarf that was just black and white. There are a million different options. You rock, Cyndi!!!