This week, I wanted to show you an easy and fun surface design technique -- dyeing with a resist!
First off, a definition: a 'resist' is anything that keeps dye off a given part of your fabric. Resists can take many forms -- the rubber bands in tie dye, for example, or even fabric crumpled against itself -- but today I'm using plain ordinary white school glue. It's easy to make fun patterns with it, and it washes out once you're done dyeing the fabric.
So, grab a tee shirt, some dye, and a bottle of white glue!
Protect the back of your shirt by slipping a piece of scrap cardboard between the front and back. Then, start 'drawing' with the glue. It works best with bold, thick-lined designs. Set the shirt in a safe place to dry overnight.
Once your glue is dry, make up the dyebath following the directions on the dye package. Drop the shirt in. Stir for even color -- or, if you're feeling brave, leave a few wrinkles in the shirt and see what happens...
Once you are happy with the color (and keep in mind, it always dries lighter than you think it should) dump out the dyebath and start rinsing.
Follow the directions on the dye package -- and don't rush through this step! All those extra dye molecules can come out either now, in the sink, or later (on dolls and hands and in the laundry...)
During the final stages of the rinse, add a little laundry detergent and give it a hand-wash. All the glue should have washed out by now.
Roll the shirt up in a towel to soak up the excess water, then throw it in the dryer on high for about 30 minutes. This is called "heat setting" and is another way to help ensure the dye molecules stay where you want them. :)
All done! Congratulations!
For Pixie Faire,
Melinda
101 Comments
I’ve never dyed knit fabric before. This tutorial is giving me the incentive to try it! And the resist technique looks quite easy. Thanks!
I love to dye fabric! In fact one of my favorite hobbies is batik but I have to say I’ve never tried it with glue. I would use beeswax. This is a much simpler and easier idea! Thanks so much for the great craft idea!
“I’ve never dyed fabric before because I’m afraid of the mess it would make and it seems like a lot of work for one item.
I’ve never used dyed fabric because my mum hates smell of it and she claims that she would rather die than see the mess I’ll make in the sink. She can tell I’m missing out though, so she wants me to try it out when I go to Africa this year. I can do it in our yard there.
I love the idea of dying fabric. I have tried a few times with my kiddos to make 4th of July shirts but they always fade :( Thank you for the tutorial if I don’t win I suppose the girls and I will have to try again :) I really love your site!