Totally Awesome Tie-Dye, New Edition

By Suzanne McNeill and Nicole Lionberg

A fun beginner's guide to tie-dye teaches all of the most popular tie-dyeing techniques – from ice dyeing to shibori – and shows how to turn simple fabrics and ready-made garments into trendy fashion statements. Totally Awesome Tie-Dye, New Edition includes a variety of all-new step-by-step projects that go beyond t-shirts and include s

• Language: English
• Publisher: Design Originals
• Release date: Jun 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781637411636

Suzanne McNeill

Suzanne McNeill is the author of 230 craft & hobby books and 15 Zentangle books, Suzanne McNeill has been called "the Trendsetter" for arts and crafts. Dedicated to hands-on creativity, she constantly tests, experiments, and invents something new and exciting. Suzanne is the woman behind Design Originals, a publishing company dedicated to all things fun and creative. Winner of the Craft and Hobby Association's Industry Achievement Award, she is a designer, artist, columnist, TV personality, publisher, art instructor, author, and lover of everything hands-on.   

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Getting Started

How Tie-Dye Works

What You’ll Need

Basic Methods

What Went Wrong

Let’s Have a Tie-Dye Party!

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How Tie-Dye Works

Classic 1960s tie-dyeing used retail household dyes to create its iconic bold patterns, but today you can find fiber-reactive dyes designed especially for tie-dye. These dyes react with fibers that have an alkaline pH, creating a permanent bond. Of course, that means your fabric needs have a high pH. To raise its pH, we usually use soda ash (sodium carbonate). That means either soaking your fabric in a soda ash solution or finding a dye to which it’s already been added.

TIP:

When dyeing with children, it is recommended that you purchase dye with soda ash directly added into it. If you prefer to soak the fabric in a soda ash fixative, it’s a good idea to prepare the solution ahead of time since the soda ash can be dusty. As always, make sure children wear gloves and do not have easy access to the solution.

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What You'll Need

The supplies are simple. The possibilities are endless! Here’s what you need to get started.

Fabric or Garments

First, you’ll need to decide what to tie-dye. The cotton T-shirt is a classic choice, of course, but don’t let your imagination stop there. You can use the same techniques to dye fabric clothing, home décor, party décor, accessories, and gifts—anything that won’t come in contact with food.

•Tie-dyeing works best on natural fibers such as cotton, rayon, and hemp. Make sure you know what fibers all of the pieces of your garment contain, especially if they aren’t the same as the main fabric—this includes any stitching, borders, appliqués, and so on.

•Dye also works on silk, but the colors will sometimes shift or appear lighter; check the manufacturer’s recommendations on your dye package for specifics on silk.

•Synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers don’t take dye very well, if at all.

•Synthetic-natural fiber blends—such as half cotton and half polyester—may not dye as vibrantly, and may be lighter with a heathered effect.

•New cotton sheets do not dye well because of permanent press or starch, but used 100% cotton sheets, jersey cotton sheets, and cotton flour sack towels dye well.

•As a rule of thumb, when you buy cotton yardage, make sure that it wrinkles when you crush it. If it does not wrinkle much, it may contain some other fiber or be treated even though it is marked 100% cotton.

•If you aren’t sure where to begin, choose clothing and fabrics that are guaranteed to dye. There are plenty available at craft stores and through tie-dye manufacturers.

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TIP:

If you are dyeing a big fabric project, it is a good idea to dye a smaller piece first to see how well it takes dye.

Dyes

Household dyes meant to be used on a variety of fabric types may contain several dyes of the same color—so they work on the different fabrics. Although one component may work on your fabric, the others tend to run and the garment may fade. In this book, we recommend using a dye designed for the fabric you’re using instead.

Look for fiber-reactive cold-water dyes that yield brilliant colors with excellent resistance to fading. They’re simple to use and fairly safe. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure you’re using the dye as effectively as possible. Check to see if soda ash has been added directly to your dye. If it hasn’t, you’ll need some. It’s a mildly alkaline white powder that’s dissolved in water to make a fixative solution.

The simplest way to get started is with a tie-dye kit, which includes dyes, any necessary chemicals, applicator bottles, gloves, rubber bands, and a dust mask. They’re available for anywhere from 6 to 100 garments.

After you’ve finished dyeing, your garment will need no special care because of the dye. The color shouldn’t fade even if washed with hot water and strong detergent. Avoid bleach and bleach detergents, but otherwise just follow the regular washing instructions on your garment.

Fabric Markers

For some designs, guideline marks need to be made on fabric. Use a pencil, a piece of chalk, a washable marker, or a fabric pencil designed to make lines that will later wash out. Paper, scissors, and a ruler may also be needed.

Soda Ash Fixative Solution

If your dye doesn’t contain soda ash, you’ll need to make a fixative to soak your garment in. It’s mildly caustic, so wear gloves and protect your eyes. Wear a dust mask to avoid breathing soda ash powders.

•1 cup soda ash

•1 gallon warm water

In a large plastic bucket or tub, thoroughly dissolve soda ash in water.

The 1-cup-to-1-gallon ratio of soda ash to water gives brighter colors, but it could be too harsh for delicate fabric or delicate skin. Use lower concentrations when working with children or delicate fabrics, especially