So I've read multiple sites online about tie dye, but I cant understand the whole way to knot the shirt, or what to do with the rubber bands or bucket, and any tips on a way to make the shirt less likely to have the dye run out in the wash? Sorry I looked it up before I came here, just couldn't get it Peace :]
I've had bad experiances trying to use like regular dye... I would reccomend buying one of those kits with the 10 year old girls on the box wearing shirts with tie-dye hearts or something... Hahahaha. Actually, I got one as a Christmas present from my sister in laws family. It was pretty cool of them. I would have never tried the kit had they not gotten it for me. I had seen them, but always felt weird looking at somehting with pre-pubesant girls on the box... But I will probably buy another kit like that until I can find someone who can show me how to do it right with regular dye. But if you go with the kit, I just did knots that I read off the internet because the ones they tell you to use in the kit are like the hearts, and matching outfits and such. Also, try going to About.com and searching for Tie Dye. There is something under like the family crafts section I believe and it was pretty good. At least on the nots part.
I would recommend if its your first time buying a kit... I think squirt bottles work better than tub dyeing.... you can get more color that way....
well I am just a beginner at this thing, but what I did once when I tried it with someone experienced, is like the beginner style. Choose a t-shirt according to what base colour do you prefer - or just go with white (very unlikely you will get a different colour of the dye than the one intended) and then take a nice thicker thread (not the sewing kind) and just tie some knots according to your taste on the t-shirt (pull out some of the cloth, and tie a lot of loops around the base, then a knot, so it looks.. kind of like.. a condom that's closed or something) --> that is the most basic knot I know of. the variations are quite large. but I know almost nothing about this part, just go crazy. once you tied your t-shirt, follow the instructions on the die(not too much worry about the brand). once you are through, rinse the t-shirt in Cold water couple times, then let it dry.(you might find you are loosing too much colour while you rinse. this is the difficult part, because there exist a turning point at which even if there would be a colour loss, you cannot rinse your t-shirt anymore, because the excessive colour will never cause you any trouble and it will integrate if you let it be. but, I have no knowledge of when exactly to stop rinsing) If you want multiple colour, do not untie your knots, just make some more (depending on how much room did you leave) and choose a dye with darker shade, or a different colour but darker. last thing, there is not too much problem with the loss of colours from your t-shirt, if you choose nice cotton or other organic matterials, and if you always wash it by hands, the water should not be too hot. you can use any soap you want. good luck.
i just bought some white onesies, to make baby tye dies for my preg friend...i haven't done it yet cuz i'm scared to screw it up. i remember mom teaching me when i was about 10. i think i did an oral report on it.... we used rubber bands and just made rings, and i think that worked well...is it better to use string? any extra advice would be appreciated. peace LP
If you get your hands on a dharmatrading catalog they have step by step instructions on the different methods, they also have beginner kits. In my opinion the procion dyes are best. I have hand dyed hundreds of yards of fabric and the store bought dye isn't great for certain things. I used the dharma direstions to dye myself a bunch of hemp t-shirts and was surprised at how good they turned out on my first tie-dyeing attempt.
Buying a tie dye kit for your first time may be your best and easiest bet There is a lye that comes with it that'll set the dye into your clothes. Instructions will show you how to set your elastics to create the lines in the dyed shirt.
Hi, I don't think it is better, it creates a different pattern. I like string, because you can go beyond the ring pattern, if it is long enough, you can keep tying in any directions. when it gets to how good it holds, it is enought to make the base colour visible, depending on how strong you pull, and how many loops you make..
I tried artificial sinew (that makes the cool star patterns) but it was so hard on my hands. We use a stitch technique and go for a different look. Check out Ben Jamin's work for tie techniques.
