Tie-dye is a procedure of dyeing woven fabrics with the use of bright
colors. Basically, it involves a process where the material is folded in
a particular pattern and then tied with rubber bands or strings. Then
you apply dye to only certain parts of the fabric. You can use different
color dyes to make beautiful designs. Let us evaluate in simple steps
how to tie-dye:
1) Fabric for dyeing: First step is to select the tie-dye fabric. You must first get a woven fabric that is ideally a minimum 80% cellulose fiber. These include cotton, linen, and rayon. You can even use silk. However I would give a big no-no for 100% nylon or polyester.
1) Fabric for dyeing: First step is to select the tie-dye fabric. You must first get a woven fabric that is ideally a minimum 80% cellulose fiber. These include cotton, linen, and rayon. You can even use silk. However I would give a big no-no for 100% nylon or polyester.
2) Washing your fabric: The next step is to wash the tie dye fabric. You can wash the fabric in advance.
3) Tie the Fabric: You have to tie the garment with strings or rubber bands. The idea behind tie dying is that the dye should not spread evenly on the fabric. The area where the dye is unable to reach stays white or gets a lighter color.
Now there are several ways to tie the fabric that will give you a lot of designs. For instance, vertical pleats on fabric will give you horizontal stripes. You can create the folds, make a loose stitch in the way you want and then pull the thread from the other end and tie it. This gives amazing results.
You can create spiral patterns, random circles, diagonal stripes, concentric circles, hearts, rosettes, diamonds, squares, ovals, pleats, and scrunches. Sky is the limit for your imagination.
4) Mixing the dye: The next step involves how to tie dye using dyes and mixing them. You can mix the dyes even a week in advance and refrigerate it. If possible, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
You have to mix 15 ml or 1-tablespoon urea in 1 cup or 250 ml water. You will need this solution separately for all colors. Then add dye to this solution. You must go for fiber reactive dyes and there are various good brands available in the market and online. You will need about 4 teaspoons for each cup of the solution.
A word of caution here, dyes are to be handled very carefully. You must wear a facemask and rubber gloves. Fill up the dye solutions in spray or squirt bottles for application to the fabric.
5) Fabric Pre-soaking: Before dyeing, the fabric has to be pre-soaked for about 15 minutes to an hour in a solution made from one cup sodium carbonate dissolved in a gallon of water. This is also known as soda ash.
6) Dye Application: Apply the dyes with the help of squeeze bottles or sprays on the fabric. This is the best part of the process but you must wear gloves when you do so. Remember you are dealing with chemicals here. Let the fabric be for about 8-24 hours.
7) Washing the fabric: After that you will have to wash the fabric with cold water very carefully. You must ideally wash after a day of the dye application. These garments must be washed separately from other clothes till they are perfectly colorfast.
Once you know how to tie-dye I assure you your weekends will not be dull and boring, as this is a fabulous hobby activity.
3) Tie the Fabric: You have to tie the garment with strings or rubber bands. The idea behind tie dying is that the dye should not spread evenly on the fabric. The area where the dye is unable to reach stays white or gets a lighter color.
Now there are several ways to tie the fabric that will give you a lot of designs. For instance, vertical pleats on fabric will give you horizontal stripes. You can create the folds, make a loose stitch in the way you want and then pull the thread from the other end and tie it. This gives amazing results.
You can create spiral patterns, random circles, diagonal stripes, concentric circles, hearts, rosettes, diamonds, squares, ovals, pleats, and scrunches. Sky is the limit for your imagination.
4) Mixing the dye: The next step involves how to tie dye using dyes and mixing them. You can mix the dyes even a week in advance and refrigerate it. If possible, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
You have to mix 15 ml or 1-tablespoon urea in 1 cup or 250 ml water. You will need this solution separately for all colors. Then add dye to this solution. You must go for fiber reactive dyes and there are various good brands available in the market and online. You will need about 4 teaspoons for each cup of the solution.
A word of caution here, dyes are to be handled very carefully. You must wear a facemask and rubber gloves. Fill up the dye solutions in spray or squirt bottles for application to the fabric.
5) Fabric Pre-soaking: Before dyeing, the fabric has to be pre-soaked for about 15 minutes to an hour in a solution made from one cup sodium carbonate dissolved in a gallon of water. This is also known as soda ash.
6) Dye Application: Apply the dyes with the help of squeeze bottles or sprays on the fabric. This is the best part of the process but you must wear gloves when you do so. Remember you are dealing with chemicals here. Let the fabric be for about 8-24 hours.
7) Washing the fabric: After that you will have to wash the fabric with cold water very carefully. You must ideally wash after a day of the dye application. These garments must be washed separately from other clothes till they are perfectly colorfast.
Once you know how to tie-dye I assure you your weekends will not be dull and boring, as this is a fabulous hobby activity.
