Play silks are inspiring, open-ended toys that children can transform into almost anything with their creativity and imaginations, like a red and orange silks for lava and blue silks for water, or wearing them as magical capes or carriers for dolls. Melissa Lang Lytle of Hex House Crowns is a fiber artist and handwork teacher, and she will guide you through the very accessible process of dyeing play silks using RIT dye. Start with a dreamy ombre rainbow pattern and then try a whimsical, heart-shaped tie dye. With Melisssa’s tips, you can also dye wool felt in the same dye bath as your silks in order to maximize your dye as well as color-match your materials. Children can heop with certain parts of the dyeing, and everyone will enjoy the exciting reveal of the finished silks.
![Cartoon of a smiling man with a large mustache, short dark hair, wearing a teal jacket and a white turtleneck.](https://glensidepld.org/files/Jon-150x150.png)
![A young child walks on a sidewalk, wearing a pink and blue cape, surrounded by greenery and houses.](https://glensidepld.org/files/Easy-Dyed-Play-Silks-2.jpg)
![Colorful tie-dyed fabrics with a prominent pink heart in the center, surrounded by various vibrant patterns.](https://glensidepld.org/files/Easy-Dyed-Play-Silks-1.jpg)
![A close-up of colorful, silky fabric knotted together, featuring shades of pink, yellow, and blue.](https://glensidepld.org/files/Easy-Dyed-Play-Silks-5.jpg)
![Little girl with pigtails and a yellow cape sitting on a bench touching a rock, surrounded by colorful flowers.](https://glensidepld.org/files/Easy-Dyed-Play-Silks-7.jpg)
![Young girl in a blue cape walks along a sidewalk next to a brick wall on a sunny day.](https://glensidepld.org/files/Easy-Dyed-Play-Silks-6.jpg)
![Young child with pigtails wearing a colorful cape plays outside, holding a stick with rainbow streamers attached.](https://glensidepld.org/files/Easy-Dyed-Play-Silks-4.jpg)
![A colorful silk scarf tied in the center, displaying shades of blue, yellow, pink, and red.](https://glensidepld.org/files/Easy-Dyed-Play-Silks-3.jpg)