Tie Dyeing
Soda Soak Method
1. Prewash fabric.
2. Soak fabric in a mixture of 1 cup soda ash per 1 gallon of water for 20 minutes. Be sure the soda ash is thoroughly dissolved. Then squeeze out by hand.
3. Fold and tie fabric.
4. In 1 cup of tap water, mix 2 or more teaspoons of dye (Procion MX). Apply the dye to the fabric using a squirt bottle, paint brush, or sponge. Apply as many colours as you like. Do not over saturate the fabric with dye or all your colours will run together.
5. Cover fabric with plastic wrap or in a plastic bag and let stand for at least 12 hours, but preferably 24.
6. Rinse as usual.
Hints on Folding & Binding
• Always fold on a clean, flat surface.
• When folding or bunching, expose as much fabric as possible.
• Make small folds rather than large folds.
• Use string, rubber bands or narrow elastic for resists. Bind tightly.
Accordion, Horizontal, Diagonal, or Vertical Fold - Pleat fabric in 1” or smaller folds. Bind. This will make parallel lines
of the dye if applied on the folded edges.
Spiral - With the fabric lying flat, select a point and twist that point, spiralling the fabric around that point to make a bundle that looks like a cinnamon roll. Dye applied in pie-shaped wedges will spiral when the fabric is opened.
Circles - Select a point, lift the fabric by that point. Smooth the fabric to make a cone. Bind along the cone. Dye applied in horizontal bands between the binding will make concentric circles.
Dots - Select a point lift the fabric by that point, bind close to the point. Select other points and bind. Dye applies to the
points will make dots of colour. The binding will keep the dye from making large spots.
Remember that these techniques discussed here are only suggestions and a quick reference. There are any number of variations and possibilities when using dyes. Experimentation is the best method.
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