Easy methods to Tie-Dye – Newbie’s Information

Tie-dye is a type of enjoyable and straightforward craft initiatives anybody can have success with! Actually, the primary time I tie dyed was at a slumber get together in fifth grade (I used to be 12 years outdated).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 simple 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 may additionally wish to strive: Shibori Tie-Dye, Resist Dye Fundamentals, and Easy methods to Double Dip Dye (just 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 Sixties throughout the counterculture motion in the US. I at all times consider the Grateful Useless once I consider tie-dye. 🙂

The essential concept is you cowl areas of material 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 aren’t uncovered to the dye.

There are numerous totally different patterns and variations of this fundamental method. However the primary piece of recommendation I’d give to anybody who’s simply attempting out tie-dye for the primary time is that this: It is going to be imperfect.

Tie-dye, like many initiatives, is about experimenting and having fun with the method whereas additionally at instances being stunned by the outcomes. If you would like 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 – Easy methods to

One you have got gathered your provides (extra on this beneath), tie-dye has three fundamental steps: put together your material, dye it, after which as soon as finished, 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’ll be able to tie dye so many alternative 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’ll be able to 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 absolutely dry earlier than dyeing.

Dye

Scrunch up your merchandise as desired after which add rubber bands. See beneath for patterns you’ll be able to strive.

Then, combine your dyes in accordance with the package deal 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 sporting disposable gloves as you’re employed to guard your fingers.

Add dye to the ready material and permit to soak for the really useful time. The dye I used instructed 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 essential, however I do assume it’s greatest to clean newly dyed objects separate from different clothes the primary time. Even if you happen to rinse it nicely, the dye might damage different clothes you aren’t desirous to dye.

Tie-Dye Patterns

Whereas I like to randomly bunch up my venture 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 material of the garment. Pull the material up so far, creating a cloth cone. Wrap rubber bands across the cone of material.

You’ll be able to add as many or as few rubber bands as you need. Once you go to dye, add a unique 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. Once 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 all sides, you’ll be able to wrap the rubber bands round these earlier than dyeing.

Stripes

Lay the garment flat. Ranging from the underside or one facet, fold the shirt in a sequence of small accordion-style folds. Wrap the folded shirt with rubber bands. Relying if you happen to begin from, a facet or high/backside will create vertical, horizontal or diagonal strains.

Once 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 sort of resemble cow utters. Once you go to dye, add a coloration to the small cone areas and a unique coloration for the remaining.

Swirl

Pinch a small part within the heart of your garment. Twist the material round this level. Hold twisting, and the garment will develop into a disc. It assume 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 might be. Once 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 want 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 fingers and surfaces.

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

It is possible for you to to see the garment change coloration 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.

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 develop into actually standard 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 gentle coloured garment (cotton is greatest), powder tie-dye (like the equipment I used all through this put up), rubber bands, gloves, and ice cubes. I additionally assume a cooling rack is beneficial.

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 should dissolve the dye powders and saturates the material. Enable 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

When you have extra questions on tie-dye initiatives, tell us within the feedback and we are able to add to the FAQ part of this put up over time. Pleased crafting!