Fun With Tie Dye

Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 2:23 am  
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There is a wide variety in tie dye which results from the choice of material, the colors used and the type of dyes. 100% cotton or at least a 50% blend with cotton is the fabric of choice for most tie dye because it absorbs the color more easily and completely resulting in bright, bold colors that are characteristic of hippie clothes.

The most common garment to tie dye is a t-shirt because it is cheap (you can usually buy a multi-pack for a fewtank1 106x150 Fun With Tie Dye bucks), comfortable and it presents a great clean canvas that can be worn.  Tie dye tank tops and muscle tees are also fun to use instead of the basic white t-shirt for tie dye projects.  Using different color t-shirts, such as blue or black for the base of a tie dye project can be great backdrops for dyes that are actually bleaches. These type of tie dye projects, while not as colorful, do present the wearer with their own unique designs.

Soda ash, or sodium carbonate, can be used to soak the garment before dying so that the color is more lasting.  Please note that the tie dye will fade with exposure to sunlight, especially when using some of the cheaper dyes, and that the garment can be put in the freezer overnight after tie dying  to help resist some of the fading.   Another technique to help resist fading is to keep the garment tied and wrapped in a plastic bag for at least 48 hours before rinsing and washing.

peacebedding 150x134 Fun With Tie DyeSilk and linen can be a beautiful material for tie dye, and the tie dyed cloths can be used to make scarfs, bed sheets and covers.  Some practice should be undertaken before using these expensive types of cloths, but anyone with a basic skill and experience level could create tie dye masterpieces to coordinate their entire bedroom, and even intrinsic art pieces that are kin to quilts to hang on the wall as a portrait.  The possibilities with tie dye is limited only by your imagination, so let your imagination soar.

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A Brief History Of Tie Dye

Monday, April 19th, 2010 at 11:57 pm  
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“Tie-dye…is a modern version of traditional dyeing methods used in many cultures throughout the world. “ (www.wikipedia.com).

When most people think of tie dye in modern day, the first images suggested are those of hippies wearing bright and funky clothing, flashing peace signs and giving hugs to everyone and everything.  However, this social group is not the first, or the last, to use tie dye to fashion garments and other materials.

Archaeologists have found indications of tie dye techniques dating back five thousand years in India and Mesopotamia.  Safflower was used in creating a yellow dye for fabrics many centuries before Jesus was born.  Remember Joseph’s coat of many colors that was the envy of all his brothers?  Could it have possibly been tie dyed?  Evidence of tie dye has been found in countries all around the world including Egypt, Mexico, China, Japan, Rome, Asia, Africa and others.  Each area used different fabrics, dyes and techniques for creating the colorful patterns that are tie dye, but the art has a long and rich history.

Here in the United States, the first tie dye is recorded in 1909 in an article written by Charles Pewell a professor at Columbia University, describing a set of tie dyes brought over from Asia that are intricately created using tiny little knots leaving very small circles similar to needlepoint designs.  The article continues to describe a scientific way of experimenting with tie dye, using spices from the kitchen such as turmeric and safflower, and the placement of stones or other objects within the cloth before tie dyeing to create bold and unique patterns.

For modern day artists who are interested in tie dye, a simple explanation of this craft is that tie dye uses knots placed strategically within a cloth, and then dye is applied using a variety of techniques to the cloth.  Once the cloth dries, and the knots are removed, an unpredictable pattern with different shades and blends of color shines through creating an original work of art.  The colors can vary by whichever dye the user chooses, from lemon yellow to electric blue to pastel pink.  Each tie dye project can incorporate a great number of different colors or can be created from only a single color.

Tie dye is still a popular clothing style today with a great number of items available including tie dye pants, shirts, dresses, caps as well as linens and spreads.  And the fun doesn’t stop there… how about tie dye socks, hoodies, bandanas and onesies for your baby.  It’s all available in a dazzling array of styles and colors, and don’t forget the fun you can have creating your own unique tie dye apparel and accessories.

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Tie Dye For Beginners

Monday, March 29th, 2010 at 12:37 am  
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Thinking about trying your hand on a tie dye project, but a little unsure?  Don’t fret.  I encourage you to jump on in and let your creative juices flow.  It’s tie dye!  Not like you can make a big mistake.  Just follow some of the tips and techniques found here at the site and have some fun.

41ZZznncq1L. SL500 AA300 1 150x150 Tie Dye For BeginnersFor beginners who have zero tie dye experience, most craft supply stores sell kits that have the basic dyes, materials and instructions all in one box.  The Jacquard Tie Dye Kit is a great kit to get started with. It has high quality procion dyes, enough to tie dye 15 shirts, plus easy to follow instructions including a dvd.

Once a person gets familiar with tie dye, he or she can buy other dyes for tie dye projects. A word of caution here.  Most common fabric dyes are for solid colors, not for mixing with other dyes, so make sure to buy dyes especially for tie dye.

Also, the twisting and tie process breaks down fibers so the tie dye colors are created to not be so harsh on the cloth.  However, the tie dyer needs to wear gloves and old clothes before starting any tie dye project, as should he or she make sure that all the surfaces are protected and there is clean water handy for emergencies.

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