applying dye to thick mandala folds

[ktaltre]

Does anyone have any tips/tricks for getting the dye down all the way into thick folds?

I'm beginning to tie large mandalas. The first one had way too much white in it. The second one was much better, but it is obvious that the insides of the fold didn't get enough dye.
I think I'll refold the first one and dye it some more and I'll brush on some thickened dye on the light places on the second one.
The fabric I used is about the size of a flat double bed sheet, but it is a heavier muslin. I had gotten a whole bolt of wide muslin at one time from dharma - feel I should use it............
The folded mandala ends up really thick.
I fold and tie damp and let dry and use activated dye, Not thickened. I felt I put a lot of dye on and in the folds. I did stick the nozzle down into the folds.

Any thoughts?
k. taltre

[ecilA]

I'd suggest folding dry for something like that.  What do you use for the tie?

[ktaltre]

I used string this time and tied fairly tightly.
I just watched a little of Tom and Martine's star mandala tying and although they say they are tying tightly, it doesn't look so tight; also they use rayon quite a bit.
I'll try to tie dry next time and I'll tie with sinew - let you know. Hopefully I'll have a picture worthy one in due time.......
k. taltre

[ecilA]

I have no doubt that you will

The dry fabric pulls dye in, even a little dampness can interfere with that wicking that you want.  That's why I don't tie wet or damp when doing this type of thing, always dry.  But, of course, a tight tie is key with this as well for obvious reasons (with all that wicking going on.)

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[Lapislazuli]

I use a huge syringe. I got three from my vet, and threw the needles away. The part of the syringe where the needle hooks into is about 1.5 inches long, and perfect for reaching down into the folds after the mandala has been tied.

And you want to tie your string really TIGHT. I wrap three times and yank HARD, then fold, wrap three times and YANK. 

[mustdye]

These dyes were done on fabric that is this thinner than the last big one I did. http://itiedye.com/smf/index.php/topic,368.msg1735.html#msg1735
These are approximately 84x115

I washed the fabric and let it spinout.
Tied it damp.
Soaked it in soda ash.
Spunout in the washer.
Dyed it damp using squirt bottles...putting it on slower and allowing it to soak in.
I find that if the fabric is dry the dye doesn't flow like I like.


I didn't really tie it tight...just snugged it up.
I think it goes to show that there are many different ways of doing it.
It's a matter of personal choice and whether you like the outcome.

[ktaltre]

It's been awhile, but I finally accomplished an eight pointed star out of a full size flat sheet. I folded it into eights and used Tom and Martine's V lines to fold it - I ironed it as I folded it and sprayed it with water a little while tying it.
I tied it dry, and dyed with activated dye. I used too much orange and could have backed off the dye application somewhat, but it's acceptable. It's growing on me..........
The sheet is "dvala" from Ikea, a 144 thread count, not to heavy - Ikea doesn't sell this sheet online and my Ikea is a hundred or so miles from me - a son mailed a couple of flats to me as a trade for dying a sheet set for him.
The picture is here:
http://www.photoshop.com/accounts/c415cd1e1ec14e6d81f266638132841d/px-assets/e01755632288420fb3663191e94f9788

Now to do the actual sheet set - a queen size, vila, 230 thread count - I don't think I'll fold those into eighths, whew............
k. taltre

[brixter]

One step I used to skip all the time and found it was a mistake was pre scouring sheets and shirts before dyeing. I thought the biggest problem was the occasional sizing mark which I found seldom was a real problem...then I discovered how much better the fabric takes the dye after it's been prewashed. Once I started scouring items before dyeing I found the dye soaks through thick folded items much much better than they did before.

[ktaltre]

I wash everything and dry it in a dryer, too, for shrinkage control and fuzz control.
Then if I want to tie wet, the cloth gets rinsed again.
k. taltre

[colorfulsteve]

sometimes what i do is i apply the dye then i squeeze it gently so the dye absorbs through all the layers. heres a mandala i did where there was alot of white but i think the white makes it really cool.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19884586@N07/6074742088/in/photostream