In hindsight, all three do the same thing; hold your masterpiece together! But each will create a slightly different effect. So, experiment! And if you do use something other than rubber bands, make sure to use our hashtag for your piece to get uploaded to the website.
Category: Other
Does it matter if my fabric is wet or dry before I start tie-dying?
It’s generally recommended to wash your fabric and to then leave it damp before tie-dying because the dye has an easier time saturating the fabric when it’s wet.
However, this also depends on the look you want and technique you use. You can apply the dye to dry fabric, just make sure it has been washed if it is new. Using dry fabric will result in a higher color saturation but a less uniform permeation throughout your fabric.
Can you actually tie-dye with acrylic paint?
Yes! While it is a lesser known practice, you can and the wait time for the ‘dye’ to set is much quicker! The fabric used doesn’t even need to be 100% cotton! In addition to the squeeze bottles and fabric you will need acrylic paint and a fabric textile medium (optional but softens the paint so the shirt isn’t as stiff when it’ dry.)
- To fill your squeeze bottle you will need to use this ratio:
- ½ part textile medium
- 1 part paint
- 3 parts water
- But feel free to experiment and make your own ratios
- Shake well to mix
- Get the fabric slightly damp
- Tie the shirts
- Get to tie-dying!
- Once finished let sit for at least an hour before untying
- Once untied you can let it air dry
- When it is nearly dry you can toss it in the dryer to heat-set the colors
- Pull it out of the dryer and flaunt your newest item of clothing!
What is ice-dying?
Ice dying is another method very similar to tie dying. You still tie up your fabric and soak it in soda ash, however once you have done this, the steps change. You will then want a bucket and a wire rack to set your fabric on because you will be putting ice around and on your piece of fabric, covering it completely. Once your fabric is completely covered you will then use assorted powdered dyes or one singular dye to cover the ice. After time the ice will melt and the dye will ‘melt’ into the fabric, the excess draining into the bucket you are working over. Next, you will treat this as you would any other tie-dye piece and let it sit for at least 24 hours before washing it.
All that you're dying to know about Tie-Dye 