WHAT IS TIE DYE?

Tie-dye describes a technique of resist dyeing whereby fabric is folded, tied, stitched or crumpled to keep the dye from reaching certain areas of the cloth.  This technique produces amazing designs of various types and different colors depending on the amount of times the fabric is manipulated and dyed.

HISTORY OF TIE DYE:

Like batik, tie-dye is an ancient art form that is said to have its roots in many regions of the world. Some of the earliest examples of this art form were found among the people of early India (approx. 5000 years ago), the pre-Columbian people of Peru (A.D. 500-800), the early Japanese (A.D. 552-794), Chinese (A.D. 618-906) and various West African populations (date unknown).

The styles and fabric used for tie dye vary across the world, but the technique always involves tying or sewing patterns or designs in cloth that after dying become beautiful designs.  

Tie-dyeing appeared in the US via techniques carried over by enslaved Africans and became really popular in the 20th Century with people like Jimi Hendrix and the Hippie movement.

MAKING TIE DYE:

The process of making a tie-dye usually begins with calico fabric (100% cotton fabric) that is washed in sodium carbonate in order to prepare the fabric to hold the color. The fabric is then tied, folded, stitched or pinched in various sections to keep the dyes from accessing certain areas.  Once dyed, the fabric is unwrapped, rinsed in cool water, and finally washed in hot water to remove the excess dye.  The finished product is a unique piece of art that is  beautiful and safe to wash.

Here are some photographs of the process:

DRYING FABRIC AFTER WASH

FOLDING PROCESS

PREPARING FOR STITCHING

STITCHING PROCESS

ANOTHER TECHNIQUE: TYING

FABRIC ABOUT TO BE RINSED

FABRIC DRYING IN THE OPEN AIR