How one can Tie-Dye – Newbie’s Information

Tie-dye is a type of enjoyable and straightforward craft tasks anybody can have success with! In reality, the primary time I tie dyed was at a slumber get together in fifth grade (I used to be 12 years outdated). And I nonetheless love tie-dye immediately.

This class craft is straightforward to do, however you’ll have extra success with some fundamental data and a step-by-step newbie’s information.

Love tie dye? Then you might also need to strive: Shibori Tie-Dye, Resist Dye Fundamentals, and How one can Double Dip Dye (much like ombre).

Tie-Dye Fundamentals

The historical past of tie-dye dates again hundreds of years, with proof of comparable methods present in numerous cultures all over the world.

Nonetheless, the trendy type of tie-dye that’s mostly related to colourful patterns and designs on clothes emerged within the Nineteen Sixties in the course of the counterculture motion in america. I at all times consider the Grateful Useless after I consider tie-dye. 🙂

The essential thought is you cowl areas of cloth by tying them off with rubber bands. Then, you dye the remainder of the material, probably in a number of colours. The tied-off areas don’t get coloration, since they don’t seem to be uncovered to the dye.

There are various totally different patterns and variations of this fundamental method. However the primary piece of recommendation I might give to anybody who’s simply making an attempt out tie-dye for the primary time is that this: Will probably be imperfect.

Tie-dye, like many tasks, is about experimenting and having fun with the method whereas additionally at occasions being stunned by the outcomes. If you would like a wonderfully curated look, tie-dye is probably going not the most suitable choice, because it’s meant to look messy, colourful, and enjoyable!

Traditional Tie-Dye – How one can

One you will have gathered your provides (extra on this under), tie-dye has three fundamental steps: put together your material, dye it, after which as soon as executed, wash it earlier than use.

Provides

• Dye – I like Tulip one-step dyes and the tie-dye equipment. No soda ash or presoaking required. That is actually the most suitable choice for newbie’s IMO.
• Rubber bands
• Gloves & drop material to guard areas
• Clothes or objects to dye – white cotton is greatest however different materials can work as nicely. You may tie dye so many various clothes like sweatshirts, T-shirts, socks, bandanas, overalls, and extra!
• Laundry detergent

Preparation

Start by washing the clothes you propose to dye. If they’re stuff you already personal and have washed earlier than, you possibly can skip this step. However something new or if you’re not sure (like an merchandise you thrifted), go forward and wash it as you usually would and totally dry earlier than dyeing.

Dye

Scrunch up your merchandise as desired after which add rubber bands. See under for patterns you possibly can strive.

Then, combine your dyes in line with the bundle directions (the equipment I used had me merely add water to the bottles and shake).

Cowl your space with a drop material to guard it from any dye spills. I additionally advocate carrying disposable gloves as you’re employed to guard your palms.

Add dye to the ready material and permit to soak for the really useful time. The dye I used prompt 4-6 hours.

Wash

Earlier than throwing your tie-dye clothes within the washer, give them a superb rinse within the bathtub or kitchen sink. I like to recommend carrying gloves once more for this step. Take away the rubber bands and rinse till the water runs clear. Then, wash them within the washer, or as you usually would.

I do know it might not appear mandatory, however I do suppose it’s greatest to clean newly dyed objects separate from different clothes the primary time. Even for those who rinse it nicely, the dye might smash different clothes you aren’t eager to dye.

Tie-Dye Patterns

Whereas I like to randomly bunch up my mission and be stunned by the ultimate outcomes, it’s additionally actually enjoyable to create basic tie-dye patterns. Listed here are 5 fundamental patterns to strive.

Bullseye

Pinch a piece of cloth of the garment. Pull the material up up to now, creating a material cone. Wrap rubber bands across the cone of cloth.

You may add as many or as few rubber bands as you need. If you go to dye, add a distinct coloration to every part (between the rubber bands).

Folded

Fold the garment right into a sq. or triangle, folding and condensing it down as a lot as you want. If you go to dye add coloration to the sides of the folds solely.

This tie-dye sample can use rubber bands or not—it’s as much as you. If you wish to add small items of cardboard within the form of the fold (a sq. or a triangle) on both sides, you possibly can wrap the rubber bands round these earlier than dyeing.

Stripes

Lay the garment flat. Ranging from the underside or one aspect, fold the shirt in a sequence of small accordion-style folds. Wrap the folded shirt with rubber bands. Relying for those who begin from, a aspect or high/backside will create vertical, horizontal or diagonal traces.

If you go to dye, add coloration to every part (between rubber bands).

Sunbursts

Pinch a sequence of small sections and pull them as much as create small, small cone shapes. Safe every with a few rubber bands. These form of resemble cow utters. If you go to dye, add a coloration to the small cone areas and a distinct coloration for the remainder.

Swirl

Pinch a small part within the middle of your garment. Twist the material round this level. Maintain twisting, and the garment will grow to be a disc. It suppose it resembles a cinnamon roll.

Safe the shirt with three or 4 rubber bands, crisscrossing them over the middle of the disc. The tighter you bind the shirt, the extra white there can be. If you dye, add coloration to every totally different part on the disc created by the rubber bands.

Bleach Tie-Dye

Utilizing bleach to tie-dye is actually the identical method however as a substitute of including coloration to a garment, we need to take coloration away (by bleaching it off).

All you want is: a coloured garment (once more, cotton is greatest however different materials can work as nicely), rubber bands, bleach, gloves, and a drop material to guard your palms and surfaces.

Fold or scrunch your garment and add rubber bands as desired. Then, fastidiously add the bleach to all the garment or solely sections—as much as you.

It is possible for you to to see the garment change coloration so that you’ll possible know when it’s prepared. I discovered that 1-2 hours is probably going sufficient, however longer can create an much more intense bleached look.

Similar to basic tie-dye, rinse the garment (with gloves on) after which wash individually the primary time.

Ice Tie-Dye

Utilizing ice cubes to tie-dye has grow to be actually widespread in the previous few years. The method is barely totally different, and in my expertise creates a softer, extra refined tie-dye impact than basic tie-dye.

You’ll nonetheless want a white or mild coloured garment (cotton is greatest), powder tie-dye (just like the equipment I used all through this submit), rubber bands, gloves, and ice cubes. I additionally suppose a cooling rack is helpful.

Fold or scrunch your garment and add rubber bands. Place in your kitchen sink on high of the cooling rack.

Then, cowl the garment in ice cubes and sprinkled with colours of powdered dye. Because the ice melts, it’ll dissolve the dye powders and saturates the material. Permit the ice cubes to totally soften.

Similar to basic tie-dye, rinse with gloves on till the water runs clear. Then, wash individually the primary time, so it doesn’t stain different clothes.

Extra Craft Tasks

In case you have extra questions on tie-dye tasks, tell us within the feedback and we are able to add to the FAQ part of this submit over time. Comfortable crafting!