When I tie-dyed Cami’s silks for her party she asked me if she could paint one. I said of course, and last week we found a little bit of time while Noah was sleeping to paint her silk.
I soaked the playsilk in vinegar and hot water on the stove for about half an hour.
I then mixed four different bowls of food coloring with a little bit of water. I really kept the colors really dark, because I wasn’t quite sure how light it would turn out on the silk.
It was later so we stayed indoors and I put an old shirt on my sweet girl along with a moving box for her to do her work.
Cami was so excited, and told me that she wanted to make a rainbow. She absolutely filled every.single.spot on her playsilk, I was so impressed & also a little nervous for how this dark & saturated silk was going to turn out.
We picked up her masterpiece and ran it under the sink. The colors turned out amazing and she was SO proud. It immediately became her favorite play silk, she’s been using it a ton. 
Last week I started making my list of people and ideas for Handmade Holiday that I’m participating in. This is a beautiful idea for involving your kids to make playsilks for their cousins or siblings. It also turned into a beautiful scarf for wearing. This could be a sweet creation for their aunt or grandma who love scarves around their necks or wear the longer ones as belts. Handmade by the little ones is always priceless.
PS. Here is where I order my silk scarves: Dharma Trading Co.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Erin this is so beautiful! I love painting on fabric and would be excited to give this a go with Bayliss. I’ve been thinking about what to make for cousins and grandparents this Christmas. I’ve been thinking of something economical, easy for bayliss to help with, to be a companion present to a charitable donation. (Last year I made embroidered blankets with an animal and we gave a donation in each cousin’s name to heifer). This play silk idea may be just the thing for this year!
Thanks for the idea.
This is such a great idea! My eleven year old still uses the play silks often, and for such a wide variety of play. I think they are one of the most used “toys” that we’ve ever had. I also like the idea of painting them and giving them as gifts. Your daughter’s hand painted scarf is beautiful.
I’ve never tried painting on fabric….It’s so good that you’re kids are into the craft. The world can always use another creative, crafty soul. Start ‘em young.
I agree. I got so tired of trying to come up with something for the grandparents and great-grandparents. They have everything and I doubt they want one more trinket to clutter their homes with…
So I bought a bunch of canvases and The Offspring each painted them a picture. They were wonderfully janky and cute. So now, all holiday presents for family members above the age of 60 are on them.
love this! what sort of paint did she use? sorry if i overlooked this bit of info. i am participating in handmade holiday, too……though i am off to a slow start, i must admit!
hi Erin! You may not remember me, but we met a while back at White Sulphur Springs (the Anchor Points week) I came across your blog somehow through Briana S’s face book “likes” and recognized you right away. You have been blessed with some amazing creative talent! I love your site and all your work -thanks for sharing it
The colors are lovely. What a great idea! Homemade and thoughtful for any age
I love this. I’ve only done the kool-aid type dying. This looks really fun. Time to order some more silks!
What a wonderful idea, thanks for sharing
Hello,
First time here and really love your blog! What fantastic ideas you have. I have some silks that I have been wanting to dye. What kind of paint did you use? Did you then just paint on the silk and then wash it?
Sonia
Hey Sonia, we used wiltons food coloring diluted with water. I soaked the silk before hand on the stove with vinegar and hot water. She then painted on the wet silk and afterwards we rinsed it.
Hi there – would you mind sharing the proportions of vinegar and water that you used?
Rebecca, I think I did about 2 c. vinegar to 8 c. of water.
I have just stumbled across your blog, linked from another one. this is truly lovely! I am an early childhood educator who is becoming more and more disenchanted with the “activities” I am expected to provide. I love your posts and will be trying to dye my own play silks soon. Thank you for posting where you get your silks! keep up the good work.
Wow!This is such a great idea.I love your site and all your work -thanks for sharing about it!