- 1). Obtain a paper thin, wilted leaf from a plant. A paper-thin, wilted leaf is absorbent and easier to fold. Fill the container with the soil, and ¼ cup of water to moisten the soil. Then, set the wilted leaf over the moist soil for five days to keep the leaf hydrated as the leaf continues to wilt. Set the container in a cool area of the home.
- 2). Remove the leaf from the container after five days and allow the leaf to air dry for 30 minutes on a paper towel to remove moisture. Lay the wax sheet on a table and set the leaf on the wax sheet after drying. Then, prepare the dye by adding three drops of food coloring and ¼ teaspoon of water into four cups individually for the project.
- 3). Carefully fold the wilted leaf horizontally in half. Then fold the leaf vertically in half. Pick the folded leaf up with one hand, and carefully wrap one cotton thread horizontally around the leaf three times with the other hand. Tie a knot after wrapping the thread.
- 4). Wrap a second thread around the leaf vertically three times and tie a knot as well. Hold the center right side of the folded leaf with the tweezers and carefully dip the upper left corner of the leaf into the first cup of food coloring. Dip the bottom left corner of the leaf into the second cup of food coloring.
- 5). Set the leaf down on the sheet of wax paper, and grasp the center left side of the folded leaf with the tweezers. Dip the upper right corner of the folded leaf in the third cup of food coloring, and bottom right corner of the leaf in the fourth cup of food coloring.
- 6). Place the dyed leaf back on wax paper, and allow the leaf to sit on the wax paper for two minutes to continue absorbing the food coloring. Then, carefully snip the cotton thread from leaf with scissors. Slowly, unfold the dyed leaf with your fingers, and allow the tie-dye leaf for 30 minutes before handling.
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