How To Tie-Dye
Hippie culture brought about various clothing styles, and probably the most famous of them all is tie-dye. This colorful, bold and artistic clothing pattern is prevailing, used and loved by people all over the world. You can buy different tie-dyed clothes and fabric, but if you’re crafty and patient enough, you can make your own tie-dye creation. All it takes is a few simple steps, and you’ll have yourself a delightful and colorful piece.
What You’ll Need
Dye
Fabric or clothing item to be dyed (Make sure it’s a dyeable fabric, or at least made of 60% cotton)
Rubber bands or string
Old bucket or large pot (It will get stained, so make sure disposing it after the procedure is okay)
Long-handled utensil (tongs or old spoon will do)
Plastic bags
Spray or squirt bottle (for multiple dye colors)
Soda ash
Newspaper and garbage bags
Paper towels, cleanser and rags
Procedure
Before you get started, make sure the place where you’re going to dye is properly covered with newspaper or garbage bags. Tie-dye can be a very messy project, and if you’re not careful, spots around you can be permanently stained with the dye.
Wash the fabric you’re going to dye, and remove any sizing on the manufacturer or stains that have gotten on it. Pre-soaking it in hot water also brings it to the correct size.
Think of a design you want for your item. Many people opt to be adventurous and follow their own tie-dyeing instinct.
Lay out your fabric on a covered, flat surface, and fold and tie as you want. Use the rubber band or strings to tie and secure the fabric.
Prepare your dye carefully, following the instructions given by the manufacturer. Wear the rubber gloves to protect your hands from the hot water and from being stained by the dye.
Some dyes require you to pre-treat the fabric before you start dyeing. In dyes like RIT, you just need to dip it in hot water, but if you use other types of dye, soaking the fabric in soda ash might be necessary.
When the dyes are ready, you can start dyeing. Begin with the lightest color, if you are going to use more than one hue. Wait or rinse in between colors, as directed by the manufacturer.
Use the squirt bottles to apply the dye to the fabric. There are no rules when it comes to designing, just feel free and squirt away as much as you like.
After you’re done dyeing, wash and rinse the containers properly using soap or cleaner, and hot water.
Wash your tie-dyed item carefully. Most require cold water when washing. Also, expect the item to bleed during the first few times it’s washed.
Tying Pattern Options
Although tie-dyeing is a free form of art and designing can be at random, there are some people who prefer to have specific designs on their dyed items. Here are a few options you can try.
Spiral – Pinch the middle section of the fabric, then twist it. Continue this until you form a spiral. Lay this spiral down on the fabric, and curl the rest of the fabric around it, forming a tight nest. Secure the nest using two large rubber bands, making sure it stays put.
Center circle – Gather up the fabric, and pinch it up, about 2 to 3 inches. Then, insert a Styrofoam ball or a large marble, then secure it with some string or a large and thick rubber band.
Numerous small circles – Lay the fabric on a flat surface, and pinch a section in the middle, pulling it up towards you, to form a teepee shape. For a bigger circle, pull more of the fabric up, then close your hand around the teepee’s base and tie with a rubber band. Twist the fabric you’ve sectioned. And add rubber bands down its length. The more bands you add, the more circles you create.
Stripes – Take your fabric into a tube-like shape. You can leave it as it is or create plenty of white wrinkles by twisting it. Strap numerous rubber bands or strings down the tube. The more bands you put, the more white straps you create.
Sunburst – Tie a marble the same way you did for the center circle design. Using your pinkie, measure at least half an inch behind the rubber band. Repeat this, adding two more rubber bands at least a pinkie-width apart. Then, add another section that’s one finger width after the last rubber band, then add a final rubber band at least two fingers width apart.
With just a bit of patience, dye and some simple materials, you can come up with a tie-dye masterpiece of your own. Try these steps, and bring back the awesome hippie pattern style to your fabrics.