MAKEKIND 14.

Need a little summer in your step? This week in MakeKind, I’m colorizing a few pairs of plain white sneakers perfect for those warm weather strolls. I’m using my favorite dying technique and testing out a new red dye. It smells like strawberries and colors perfectly!

MATERIALS // dye (I used the Rit powder for blues and strawberry Kool-Aid for the red), parchment paper, rubber cement, damp paper towel, plain white sneakers

STEPS // 01 PREPARE SNEAKERS  First, gently remove sneaker insoles, laces and set aside. Then, brush a thin coat of rubber cement on toe and heel soles. This will block out any dye from adhering to the rubber (and wear off overtime).

02 // MAKE WARM DYE BATH  Select a shallow baking dish. Add desired dye (I used one Rit powder packet for blues and two Kool-Aid packets for the red), then fill dish with hot water till about a 2.5″ deep. Stir to blend.

03 //  DIP DYE SNEAKERS  Dip toe edge of sneaker into warm dye bath and soak for at least 3 minutes. Repeat with heel side of sneaker. With damp paper towel, gently wipe soles to remove any excess dye. Place sneakers on parchment paper to dry.

 Once dry, insert insoles, lace up and get strolling!
[photos by Christine for Design For Mankind]

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