Tie dying is a fun and somewhat complicated process. Professional results have a price as well.
Steps
- Wearing gloves, soak the fabric in soda ash mixture for about ten minutes. Wring out enough liquid that the fabric is still damp.
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Place the fabric on a clean table with a plastic drop cloth or shower curtain on it. Decide what fold you want to make, and what colors you want to use in step three. There are several folds.
- A spiral is easy. Place your finger in the point you want the spiral to come out of, spin the fabric around your finger until it is a tight twist. Tie it with bands it should look like a pizza.
- A bunch pattern is how it sounds, bunch and tie.
- A yolk is more complex. You have to fold the fabric down the middle. Start to accordion fold from the unfolded ends at a forty five degree angle until you have folded all the fabric. Experimentation is needed to understand the art.
- Wearing gloves, on a drop cloth, starting with the lightest color, dye the fabric, use the bands to guide you, overlap your colors for mixing effect, use enough dye to soak the deepest fabric to get a unified pattern throughout the fabric. place it in a plastic bag,
- Wait at least ten hours for the dye to set. Your dye might call for more or less, but it is a good amount of time.
- Rinse out as much dye as possible in a sink that will not stain. Look at your work. Wash with detergent and dry.
Tips
- The bands restrict the dye from flowing and leave white depending on how tight they are.
- Don't be sad if some of your work comes out wrong. Use it to learn what not to do next.
- Wear clothing that is okay to get dye on.
- Read all warnings and instructions that comes with your dye and soda ash.
- When dying highly absorbent items (such as cloth diapers) use only one or two complementary colors of dye. Using too many colors will result in a muddy looking finished product. And don't attempt to cover every white spot.
- This is not the only way, just the way I have found to have great results.
- Find clothing at thrift stores to minimize cost. Check labels to make sure you have 100% natural fabric. Find an online distributor of tie-dye products. Look at what they offer and choose several dyes that are the colors you want. They are not all expensive but you tend to get what you pay for.
Warnings
- Wear masks when mixing dyes in powder form.
- Wear gloves to keep your hands dye free.
- Store soda ash mix away from children's reach or dispose after use.
- Dye outside, on plastic sheet, or shower curtain to keep from staining carpet or flooring.
Things You'll Need
- clothing or fabric(cotton works well, 100%)
- bottles for the dye
- 5 gallon bucket with a mixture of water and soda ash(treats the fabric and gets it ready for the dye)
- plastic bags(for placing dyed articles)
- rubber bands, string, or anything else you can use to tie with
- dye
- face mask
- rubber gloves
