{DIY} Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag

Happy Monday friends! I got both kids off to school this morning, without shedding a tear. So hard to believe they are 2nd and 7th grade already?! I also made it through my son’s co-ed Birthday Swim Party Friday night…thankfully all body parts stayed modestly covered. I was prepared to start handing out mumus. It was a lot of fun and hopefully I can post it later this week. Today I’m sharing a project I whipped up a few weeks ago.

I tend have tunnel-vision when I get a project idea. And am also a bit of a procrastinator. Which isn’t usually a great combination. Case in point, several weeks ago, the day before the Haven Conference actually, when I was supposed to be packing, I had a wild hair to make a dip-dyed bag. So my suitcase didn’t get packed until the next morning, but I did have a cute new tote bag to bring with me!

Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag

I guess I’m also a hoarder of craft products, because I already had all the supplies in my stash.

Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip Dyed Ombre Tote Bag

I haven’t worked with Rit dye since the days of tie-dye t-shirts and Summer camp, so I was kind of winging it. I poured the liquid dye into an old (clean) bucket of hot water until it looked like a good color. Then dumped some salt in and stirred with a metal spoon. Winging it, remember?

Do this project outside, or in a completely covered work surface, because the power of this dye is not playing around. Wear gloves, too, unless you want to look like Dexter’s Kill Room. Decide how far you want the color to extend, then lower the bag into the dye. It’s probably easier if you get the entire bag wet with clean water first.

Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag

I hung the bag on a clamp so I wouldn’t have to hang out in the steamy garage while it marinated.

Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag

Every few minutes, move the clamp up 1-2 inches, so that each section spends a little longer in the dye bath. My dye was really concentrated (turns out winging it isn’t the best way to go), so the initial dip was already pretty dark.

Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag
Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag

I left the bottom few inches in the longest so it would be noticeably darker. Then remove the bag from the dye, and allow ample time for it to drip-dry.

Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag

Once you’re sure it won’t leave a trail of dye through your house, rinse it with cold water until the water runs clear. I wanted my handles to be a little pink, so I allowed the water to rinse over them. If you don’t want dye on your handles, just make sure to rinse the bag from the top down.

Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag

Then machine-wash in warm water with detergent, and air or machine dry. I washed it by itself just in case I hadn’t rinsed out all the excess dye. Ain’t nobody got time to fix a full load of pink clothes.

The ombre is subtle, but I think it gives the bag a nice weathered look.

Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag
Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag

Hi Sugarplum | DIY Dip-Dyed Ombre Bag

Pretty cute little bag, right?! I don’t think you can ever have too many tote bags…I use them for everything from library books and picnics, to travel carry-ons and sleepovers. I’ve been carrying this one as my purse for the last few weeks…it’s a cute accent to outfits. Are you afflicted with project tunnel-vision, procrastination, or craft hoarding? What about winging it? I like to think I’m just a focused multi-tasker.

If you’re admiring my cheery, organized garage, you can check out the details here.

Leave a Comment

34 Comments

  1. Looks cute! Genius idea to hang it in the garage!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  2. Super cute and easy!! I love bags šŸ™‚ Might need to try this.

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  3. This would be such a great teacher gift!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  4. Beth wrote:

    Cute!! I recently ombre dyed a shirt (and like you, I had somehow had all the supplies on hand = hoarders). It turned out so cute! I never thought I'd wear something I made but check me out!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  5. Carrie wrote:

    Ooohhh, I love this… this would make a great favor for my daughters ombre party!!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  6. SO CUTE!! šŸ™‚

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  7. RenƩ wrote:

    So stinkin' cute! Hope today goes well for your kiddos!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  8. So cute!! Turned out great! šŸ™‚

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  9. Cute idea!!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  10. Megan wrote:

    So that's how you did it! I'm digging the color you chose.

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  11. Super cute, friend. Miss seeing you carrying that in person!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  12. Alexa wrote:

    Ah it seriously came out so cute Cassie! Love the color you chose too!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  13. Vel Criste wrote:

    Super cute Cassie!!!!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  14. Girlfriend! You are too, too creative! I would have had a huge hot mess on my hands with that dye! Happy First Day of School to your family!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  15. Great work,
    For me so far only craft-supply hoarding and procrastination. šŸ™

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  16. will_uk wrote:

    LOVE this DIY, Cass! So colourful and fun. Hope your little ones are doing OK at school – can't believe how fast summer has gone this year. x

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  17. Tabet wrote:

    Hey,
    this DIY is amazing. The bag looks great! šŸ™‚
    Love
    Tabea

    http://wolkedrei.blogspot.de/

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  18. Super cute! I love the subtle ombre!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  19. Simply LKJ wrote:

    Love it!!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  20. Such a fun one -reminds me of easter eggs is that weird? I wing every project so I totally get you on that!

    Posted 8.26.13 Reply
  21. Allison wrote:

    I love it! It's fun and it's pink! I'm a pink gal. It turned out great Cassie.

    Posted 8.27.13 Reply
  22. Love it!! And impressed with you winging it skills, it turned out amazing. For some reason, I always thought you added water ie. dilute the dye to get the ombre look, this sounds so much more effective!

    Posted 8.27.13 Reply
  23. Yeah that is pretty much the cutest idea ever. We just made library bags for the kids, but I'm thinking I will make my own now šŸ™‚

    Posted 8.27.13 Reply
  24. Love this! I have a couple of tote bags that need a little help in the color department, this is the perfect solution.

    Posted 8.27.13 Reply
  25. Wow! You've impressed me once again!!!! That is seriously cute!

    Posted 8.27.13 Reply
  26. I'm with you … one can never have too many tote bags! I must say I'm quite obsessed. My dream is a supple brown leather tote bag, but I have too many other things on my purchasing wish list!

    Posted 10.7.13 Reply
  27. This is absolute genius! I love the finished product! I have featured it in my DIY Christmas Gift round up. You can see the feature here – https://adollarearned.com/quick-easy-diy-christmas-gifts-family-will-love/ Feel free to share!

    Posted 11.9.18 Reply
  28. plaster wrote:

    I just love reading blogs like this one. And thank you very much for sharing these tips with us. Besides the fact that this blog is brilliant and the tips are awesome, I have to say that this text is so positive, helpful, full of joy.

    Posted 3.1.21 Reply