Rainbow Hand Painted Silk Ribbon

These are the results of an experiment to make "paint" for silk ribbon out of common liquid food colors.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

I used the following:

Liquid food coloring in blue, red, green and yellow
Roll of paper towels
Vinyl tablecloth
Metal measuring spoons
6 small plastic cups
Assorted fine point paintbrushes
Less than 1 cup white vinegar
Less than 1 cup water
30" length white/natural silk satin ribbon
Iron and ironing board

Step 2: Prepare

Cover your work surface with a vinyl tablecloth. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting stained. Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands from dye, if necessary.

Step 3: Mix the "paint"

Set out the six small plastic cups. Into each, add 1 tablespoon of water and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar.

To make red, add 1/2 teaspoon red food color to one cup.
To make orange, add 1/4 teaspoon each red and yellow food color to one cup.
To make yellow, add 1/2 teaspoon yellow food coloring to one cup.
To make green, add 1/2 teaspoon green food coloring to one cup.
To make blue, add 1/2 teaspoon blue food coloring to one cup.
To make purple, add 1/4 teaspoon each red and blue food coloring to each cup.

Step 4: Lay Out Ribbon

Pull out enough paper towels to match the length of the ribbon; fold towels in half lengthwise. Place the ribbon on top of the paper towels.

Step 5: Paint Ribbon

The photos show various designs I tried as I learned more about my dyes and the brushes I was using.

Step 6: Dry and Iron Ribbon

Allow the painted ribbon to dry completely, then press with an iron on silk setting.