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We are all familiar with the powdered Fruit Drinks also known as Kool-Aid. Have you seen the new Ready-To-Drink 96oz Kool-Aid bottles, perfect for enjoying on the go or crafting? Yes, that’s correct, I am going to show you how to paint fabric using Kool-Aid, and how to make these adorable watermelon themed placemats, perfect for the summer season.
How to Paint Fabric with Kool-Aid Drink Mix
I was not sure what Kool-Aid product I was going to use for this crafting project. Should I use the already made Fruit Drinks or the powdered Kool-Aid Drink?
I did not realize the multitude of Kool-Aid flavors, especially in the large 96 oz bottles. I found this display of Kool-Aid in the middle of our local Walmart which provided me with some inspiration for this project.
After doing a little research online, I concluded that it was best to paint the placemat fabric using the Powdered Kool-Aid packs. Since the placemat was watermelon themed, I found that it was fitting to buy a bottle of Watermelon Flavored Drink for the kids to taste. With the left over drink, I will spruce it up with an adult beverage for the hubs and I!
How to Make Kool-Aid Fabric Paint
- Boil some water and place each color in a heat resistant bowl. I decided to use sponge brushes to prevent too much personal staining. I advise doing this project outdoors as well. Once you learn how to paint fabric with Kool-Aid, your imagination can go wild. There are endless functions of this sugary drink.
2. Prepare your fabric for Kool-Aid dyeing
I prepared my cloth canvas placemats by rinsing them with a water and vinegar solution and allowing to drip dry. Not sure this is necessary, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt and help enforce the color to stay.
I started with the Green Apple Kool-Aid mix and painted it across the bottom fourth of the placemat using the sponge brush.
Then I filled in the top of the placemat with the pink colored Fruit Punch Powdered Kool-Aid, trying to leave a little white in between like a real piece of watermelon.
3. Allow Fabric to Dry
I chose to let the placemats dry for a little outside to prevent drips of Kool-Aid for when I will bring them all the way to my dryer inside.
Careful of your pets, Chloe got curious about the dripping liquid, and now she is the polka dot pup! We never intended to make Kool-Aid hair dye!
4. Place Fabric in Dryer
Place the painted placemats in the dryer on high heat until they were fully dry.
5. Apply Second Coat of Paint
If you want darker colors, apply a second coat of your Kool-Aid paint and just repeat the dryer method. This is what helps sets the color.
6. Finish with Fabric Markers
Then, use fabric markers to add the seeds or other details to your placemat. Follow the specific directions for your markers, you may have to heat set them again.
I think these will make a great Summer date night atmosphere for us. Be sure and serve the Watermelon Kool-Aid too, but you may want to add a little parent juice to make fun drinks like Watermelon Margaritas!
Do you like the white napkins or the green napkins? Buy Canvas Placemats
What will you make with the Kool-Aid Paint?
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That is such a neat idea. Very creative and decorative.
These place mats are too adorable for words. I will be trying this for sure! #client
These came out so cute. Hello from Show & Tell Saturday.
This is very creative! I never thought of using kool aide like that!
Those are very fin for summer…..cute:) Have a great weekend.
those turned out really cute, I did not know you could use Kool Aid as dye what a neat idea!
Lois, she still has red on her fur, and it has been 2 weeks.
That is so cool! Love the placemats and especially love your dog!
If you smelled them you would know they are Kool_aid
Cute comment Kim:)
That is the most creative idea I’ve seen! I have to try this out!
Very KOOL!! I love your creativity on this!!
How cool is that!? I love how they turned out. I’m going to have to try this.
Oh wow! That is such a cool tutorial…who would have thought that you could do that with Kool Aid? The placemats came out lovely!
OH my goodness! Your placemats came out SO cute!!
I knew you could dye hair with Kool Aid, but never thought to try using it for fabrics. Brilliant.
I absolutely love how these napkins turned out! This is so creative, I love it.
Wow these are so so cool! I love the watermelon print and can’t believe it’s Kool-aid! MUST try this!
Oh wow! This is such a unique idea. Thanks so much for sharing.
These are adorable! I love how they turned out. So cute for summer!
What a fun idea. I would have never thought of making crafts with Kool-Aid. I wonder how the color will hold up in the wash.
How fun!! I love this idea.
I had no idea you could do that with Koolaide! Love the watermelon design on the placemats.
Let me know if you do try this, cant wait to see what others make too.
I agree Grace, each packet is 20 cents where the dye is almost $3 each.
Those place mats are adorable. This would be a lot cheaper than buying the tie dye stuff. Great idea!
That is a cute and fun idea.. Then drink the Kool Aid!
I love those placemats and I love watermelons. I need to make some.
Oh wow I have never heard of this! What a cheap way to paint too. I love love love the placemats and think they came out better than using regular paint. I am definitely doing to give this a try, although I’m not sure what I will paint 1st.
That is such a neat trick. I had no idea you could do that!
Cute placemats! Didn’t know you can paint with Kool Aid! Oh YEAH!