If you want a less vibrant color, however, experiment with adding less paint. Only adding one to two tablespoons of fabric paint will create a pastel shade.
Make sure the cap is on tight before you begin shaking. You do not want to end up getting dye on your clothing or hands.
For added protection, wear long-sleeved clothing as well.
If you need more dye, expand the recipe as needed. You will need three fourths a cup of urea, two teaspoons of ludigol, and a teaspoon of water softener per quart of water.
There is no precise amount of dye to add. It depends on how dark you want your colors. More dye will yield darker colors and less dye will make pastel shades. For example, add three cups of red dye for a dark red while one cup should make a lighter shade. The color that shows up on the fabric should be similar to the dye’s color.
If you want a lighter color, add less food coloring. Try going for four drops, for example, to get a more pastel shade.