Tie and dye is a popular term you hear often. Nevertheless, let’s see the Merriam-Webster’s definition of this term; a hand method of producing patterns in textiles by tying portions of the fabric or yarn. This is so that they will not absorb the dye. With so many tie and dye techniques, tie-dye keeps evolving from one colour, style and pattern to different beautiful ones.
Going down memory lane, tie-dye has been around since 810 AD in Peru. During this time, designs were in small circles and lines, with primary colours. In the 8th century, Shibori, a form of intensive resist techniques originated in Japan and Indonesia. Then, In Africa, these patterns have been in existence, particularly in the Hausa region for centuries.
Guess what? This hippie style is back in town rocking the streets. The Spring/Summer 2019 runway saw brilliant tie-dye patterns for people who have an eye for fashion. As a fashion bird, you should also be found playing this tie-dye game. The good thing is, these clothing can be made in the confines of your home.
Instead of throwing out your old favourite shirts and dresses, you can revamp them and rock them for a longer time. In this article, we’ll show you do it yourself (DIY) tie and dye techniques that’ll change your closet’s look and feel forever. You better be ready because this is about to get really interesting.
Tie-Dye Materials
- Gloves
- White or Plain Coloured Shirt
- Large Buckets/Bowls
- Dye
- Salt
- Rubber Bands
- Squeeze or Spray Bottles
- Disposable plastic table cloth
Simple Tie-Dye Techniques
Reverse Tie and Dye Technique
Step 1: Hold the bottom of shirt, then fold into a tube shape
Step 2: Measure your shirt inch by inch. At every inch, tie a rubber band till the bottom of your shirt.
Step 3: Add one part bleach to one part water. Measure with a measuring cup for accuracy.
Step 4: Get a spray bottle. Pour bleach+ water solution into it, then spray on shirt.
Step 5: Leave fabric to bleach for a while. Check frequently. After it has bleached to your desired taste, cut off rubber bands, then, rinse and wash shirt. Do not dry, leave the fabric damp.
Step 6: On a table or any other flat surface, lay your bleached shirt. Mix dye inside a squeeze or spray bottle, then dye shades over bleached sections of your shirt.
Sunburst Tie and Dye Technique
Step One: Lay fabric on a flat surface
Step Two: Fold your fabric in half. Then, fold it in half again (lengthwise)
Step Three: Measuring one or two inches, pinch your fabric, pull upward and hold with a rubber band. Note that the number of times you pinch your fabric is the number of sunbursts you’ll have.
Step Four: Apply dye to all parts not held by the rubber band.
Step Five: Rinse thoroughly, then hang to dry.
Spiral Tie-Dye Technique
Step One: Pinch fabric at the centre, then spin in a spiral shape
Two: Bind your already spiral fabric with up to four rubber bands to create six to eight wedges
Three: Apply dye to all wedges. Turn over and apply too
FireCracker Technique
Step One: Wash Shirt to reduce sizing
Step Two: Pleat-fold shirt vertically
Three: Tie both ends of folded shirt with rubber bands
Four: Dye each end with different colours
Images Credit: tiedyeyoursummer
Five: Let it sit for six-eight hours, then rinse.
Six: Tada! Your shirt is ready with a fire-cracker bang.
Shibori Twist Technique
Step One: Hold your shirt, then twist like you’re squeezing a towel.
Two: Coil your twisted shirt into a spiral shape, then flatten it with your hand
Three: Bind your spiral shaped shirt with as many rubber bands as possible. Ensure the spiral shape is in place.
Four: Dye your shirt with a navy blue dye
Five: Flip shirt over and dye the other side
Six: Leave for six to eight hours in a plastic bag or bowl.
Seven: Rinse dye out.
Image Credit: Pinterest
Try these five simple techniques at home and believe me, you’ll never stop tie-dying. Tie-Dye is more than the fashion and swags, it has a lot more benefits and they are;
- Tie and dye is cost effective. Rather than throwing out your old clothes, all you need to do is get tie-dying materials, and get your gloves on. You’ll be surprised at how beautiful your clothes will look after the simple process of tie-dying.
- Whether you believe it or not, the environment benefits from natural dyes. The use of natural dyes helps create a healthy environment, reduce pollution and conserve water.
Now, not only do you know how to revamp your clothes, you also know the great benefits of natural dyes and how they impact your environment.
Remember, we have beautiful, high-class fabrics for your fashion needs.