Learn how to Tie-Dye – Newbie’s Information

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 In truth, the primary time I tie dyed was at a slumber occasion in fifth grade (I used to be 12 years outdated).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

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

Love tie dye? Then you might also wish to strive: Shibori Tie-Dye, Resist Dye Fundamentals, and Learn how to Double Dip Dye (much like ombre).

Tie-Dye Fundamentals

The historical past of tie-dye dates again 1000’s of years, with proof of comparable methods present in varied cultures around the globe.

Nevertheless, 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 the USA. I at all times consider the Grateful Lifeless after I consider tie-dye. 🙂

The fundamental 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 colour, since they aren’t uncovered to the dye.

There are lots of totally different patterns and variations of this primary method. However the primary piece of recommendation I’d give to anybody who’s simply making an attempt out tie-dye for the primary time is that this: It will likely 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. In order for you a superbly 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 – Learn how to

One you might have gathered your provides (extra on this beneath), tie-dye has three primary steps: put together your cloth, 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 kit. No soda ash or presoaking required. That is really the most suitable choice for newbie’s IMO.
• Rubber bands
• Gloves & drop material to guard areas
• Clothes or gadgets to dye – white cotton is finest however different materials can work as effectively. 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 intend to dye. If they’re belongings you already personal and have washed earlier than, you possibly can skip this step. However something new or if you’re uncertain (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 beneath for patterns you possibly can strive.

Then, combine your dyes in keeping with the bundle directions (the kit 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 sporting disposable gloves as you’re employed to guard your arms.

Add dye to the ready cloth and permit to soak for the beneficial time. The dye I used urged 4-6 hours.

Wash

Earlier than throwing your tie-dye clothes within the washer, give them a very good rinse within the bathtub or kitchen sink. I like to recommend sporting 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 could not appear needed, however I do suppose it’s finest to clean newly dyed gadgets separate from different clothes the primary time. Even in case you rinse it effectively, the dye might wreck 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 traditional tie-dye patterns. Listed below are 5 primary patterns to strive.

Bullseye

Pinch a bit 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. While you go to dye, add a unique colour 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. While you go to dye add colour to the perimeters 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 either side, 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 in case you begin from, a aspect or high/backside will create vertical, horizontal or diagonal strains.

While you go to dye, add colour 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. While you go to dye, add a colour to the small cone areas and a unique colour 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 change into 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. While you dye, add colour 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 colour to a garment, we need to take colour away (by bleaching it off).

All you want is: a colored garment (once more, cotton is finest however different materials can work as effectively), rubber bands, bleach, gloves, and a drop material to guard your arms and surfaces.

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

It is possible for you to to see the garment change colour so that you’ll seemingly 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.

Identical to traditional 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 change into actually widespread in the previous couple of years. The method is barely totally different, and in my expertise creates a softer, extra refined tie-dye impact than traditional tie-dye.

You’ll nonetheless want a white or light colored garment (cotton is finest), powder tie-dye (like the kit I used all through this put up), 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 is going to dissolve the dye powders and saturates the material. Permit the ice cubes to totally soften.

Identical to traditional 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 Initiatives

When you’ve got extra questions on tie-dye tasks, tell us within the feedback and we are able to add to the FAQ part of this put up over time. Glad crafting!