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10-Minute Dip-Dyed Woven Baskets DIY Tutorial

Dip-dyed DIY baskets that look beautiful—and take about 10 minutes to make!

Small woven baskets stacked on top of each other in pink and blue colors

I wanted a few new baskets to corral odds and ends around the house, but I couldn’t find the exact colors I wanted. Instead of hunting for the perfect shades, I dyed inexpensive woven baskets myself—and was delighted with the result.

I’ve experimented with many dyeing projects before, from dip-dyed stationery and carpet dyeing to bleach-resist shibori and even dipping a broom, but this was my first time dyeing baskets. It turned out to be quick, simple, and effective, so I’m sharing the method here.

This project is both easy and fast—two of my favorite things in DIY. In about 10 minutes, you can refresh plain woven baskets into subtle, modern, color-blocked storage.

Materials laid out on table that are needed for dip dyed baskets

Materials Needed

  • Natural woven baskets (light-colored work best)
  • Liquid Rit dye (or another fabric dye)
  • Metal spoon for stirring
  • Medium to large bowl
  • Hot water

Any natural woven basket will take dye, but lighter baskets display the color more clearly. Dark brown or heavily stained baskets will show subtler results. For the clearest, most vibrant outcome, choose a light, natural weave like the palm-leaf baskets used here.

Dip dyeing small woven baskets in blue dye

How to Make Dip-Dyed Baskets

1. Create the dye bath

Follow the dye manufacturer’s directions to mix dye and water. For my tests I used about 1/8 of a bottle of liquid Rit dye with roughly 4 cups of hot water. Stir until the dye is evenly dissolved and the color is consistent.

2. Dip the baskets

Hold the basket at an angle and dip the edge into the dye bath. Keep it submerged until the woven material absorbs the color to the shade you want. You can vary how deep you dip to create color blocking or an ombré effect.

3. Remove and let dry

Lift the basket and pour off any excess dye. Place the basket somewhere well-ventilated to dry completely before using. The dye soaks into natural fibers—palm leaf, seagrass, or rattan—very well, which creates a soft, blended look rather than an opaque paint finish.

Stacked woven baskets in muted pink, green, and blue

Will the baskets dry lighter or darker?

The finished baskets tend to dry slightly lighter than they appear when first removed from the dye bath, but the difference is minimal. For best results, remove from the bath when the color is slightly stronger than your target shade.

Below are photos of the finished baskets to show how the colors mellow and blend after drying.

Color blocked woven basket holding jewelry, on top of a white desk

Woven baskets dip dyed in various muted colors, left on a table to dry

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Dip-Dyed DIY Baskets in 10 Minutes

Brittni

A fast, inexpensive way to refresh woven baskets—dip them in a simple dye bath for subtle color blocking or ombré effects. Works best on light, natural baskets and dries slightly lighter than the wet color.

Ingredients

  • Woven baskets (light-colored are best)
  • Liquid Rit dye (or similar fabric dye)
  • Metal spoon
  • Medium to large bowl
  • Hot water

Instructions

Create the dye bath

  • Combine dye and hot water in a bowl following package directions. Stir until the color is even. (Example: about 1/8 bottle dye to 4 cups hot water worked for me.)

Dip the baskets

  • Tilt and dip the basket into the dye at an angle, holding it until the desired shade is reached. Move the basket to change coverage and create variations.

Remove and let dry

  • Drain excess dye, then set the basket aside to dry completely. Natural fibers like palm leaf absorb dye well, producing a soft, blended finish.

Notes

The baskets dry a touch lighter than they appear wet—plan accordingly when judging color in the dye bath.
Finished pieces show a soft, natural look because the dye soaks into the fibers rather than sitting on top like paint.

Concept, photography, and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff

P.S. Small confession: I bought these bowls back in January planning to shoot this as an organizational post for the new year—so this tutorial is a few months late. Still worth trying, though!