Remember a few months ago when I dyed some shibori onesies and then made the world’s prettiest dip dyed tote bags? (Um, even if I do say so myself.) Well, I wasn’t lying when I promised that I was quickly becoming obsessed with dyeing things. As in, every thing. Today I’m sharing these pretty DIY ombre flour sack towels, transforming basic white flour sack towels into something really pretty. We try really hard to limit our paper product consumption around the house, so we operate entirely sans paper towels. I’ve realized that some people find this somewhat mind boggling, but it’s actually really simple. In lieu of tossing out dozens of paper towels a day, we just rely on kitchen towels and hand towels to get the job done. Needless to say, I’ve bought oodles of them over the years, but flour sack towels remain my favorite. Make them pretty with a wash of ombre color and I’m sold!
- Basic white flour sack towels
- Rubber gloves
- Fabric dye (I used Dylon brand in Bahama Blue, Sunflower Yellow and Amazon Green)
- Bucket or pail
To get started, review all of the instructions for your particular brand of dye and prepare the dye bath accordingly. You’ll want to use some kind of bucket or pail that won’t be missed if it gets discolored. Then it’s time to start dunking! This process is so simple it’s scary. Dip one end of the towel into the dye bath, allow it to set for a few minutes and then lower it a bit further into the dye. Keep doing so until you’ve dyed at least 3/4 of the fabric, leaving the end white. To get the smooth, gradual ombre effect (versus the starker lines of the dip dye totes we dyed before), you should gently raise and lower the fabric, back and forth by about an inch or so as you’re working. Then, ring out the excess, rinse thoroughly and wash as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Your dye bath will easily make enough dye to make several towels, making it a cinch to stock up your own kitchen drawers and to make a few as gifts, too. Wouldn’t these be so sweet bundled up with a few really nice pantry staples (like your favorite sea salt and a great olive oil) as a hostess gift? I love that idea! As always, I’d love if you’d share what you’re crafting up with me! Whether it be these, another of my DIY projects or something else entirely, share it with me over on Instagram using the hashtag #thesweetestDIY!
[Art direction + styling by Cyd Converse | Photos by Alice G. Patterson for The Sweetest Occasion.]
The fine print: Please link with love! As with all of our posts, DIY projects featured on The Sweetest Occasion may not be copied, distributed or reproduced without express written permission. Love and links are always appreciated! If you’d like to share a maximum of 1 – 2 images from this post, please link to this post directly for the DIY tutorial and do not include the instructions in your own post. Thanks so much! xoxo
Angie
Wednesday 4th of November 2015
Thanks so much for creating and sharing this, I love, LOVE the Ombre technique! I'll definitely be trying this out, for sure. Would you tell us where you purchased the dye packs? And/or, can you use any fabric dye (I myself have a bunch of "Rit" dye bottles & I'm wondering if they'd suffice and turn out as nicely? Thx so much :))
Cyd Converse
Wednesday 4th of November 2015
Hi Angie! Yes, absolutely, the Rit dyes will work great! I've used them before for other projects and they'll work just perfectly for this - just be sure to prepare the dye bath per the Rit instructions and you'll be set! :-)
Kate
Sunday 4th of October 2015
OMG! I love visiting your site. I'm not very crafty and this would make great inexpensive Christmas gifts for family and friends!
Cyd Converse
Monday 5th of October 2015
Awww thank you so so much, Kate! That means a lot. I do try really hard to share DIY ideas that don't require you to be crazy crafty, so I'm glad you're going to give this one a try! xoxo
Haeley
Saturday 26th of September 2015
These are really beautiful! I have a whole pack of flour sack towels left over from a previous project. This would be a fun technique to try on them!
Amy W
Tuesday 22nd of September 2015
I keep saying I want to try this, but I SERIOUSLY want to try this!! So great.
Amber
Tuesday 22nd of September 2015
I need you to teach me how to take awesome photos like you. I also need you to give me these towels. And that bowl of cherries! Muah!