Hi:
I've just recently been bitten by the tie-dye bug (I'd classify myself as "mildly addicted") and was looking to join a tie-dye forum to read, comment, ask questions, and maybe share a few pictures.
Registration for itiedye.com was disabled when I first tried about a week ago, so I joined Paula Burch's "Community of Dyers" instead (nice group, but fairly small). However, I checked back today and was finally able to register here, so I thought I'd share some of the same info/pics as I did with Paula's group as a way of introducing myself. Here goes:
I'm an older guy (just turned 50) who actually experienced the
original tie-dye phenomenon as a child back in the 60's. About a month ago, with summer approaching, I decided I wanted to "color up" my dull wardrobe, and thought about revisiting tie-dye. After much research online (including this website) I took the plunge and have made several batches - including my latest with Procion dyes ordered from The Dharma Trading Company.
Being meticulous apparently really paid off. I followed instructions, using the proper amounts of dye, urea, soda ash, and even alginate (as a thickener), then "cured" everything in my gas oven, which has a pilot light, for almost 2 days. The colors were so vibrant, even after washing/drying, that the results strike me as almost professional. Even the black, which I expected to wash to some tone of gray, came out deep and inky.
I've even done some "discharge" dyeing where I discovered by happy accident that those shirts I thought I had used too much bleach on could not only be salvaged but improved by putting them through a followup round of tie-dye. These are now some of my favorites.
Anyway, I thought I'd share some pictures:
1. Rainbow Spiral with Black Accents:
This was my first effort, done with a simple Tulip kit from Michael's (arts and crafts store). It didn't initially turn out that well (the colors were very pale), but I started doing some research online and learned how to order and mix my own dyes for maximum effect (read: "vibrancy"). So I overdyed this one a second time with better dye mixtures, and threw in a little black for accents (it tends to make the colors "pop" more).
Final Verdict:
Groovy, baby!2.Black Discharge overlaid with Rainbow Spiral:
This one was another initial failure. I "discharged" a black T-shirt, tying and then removing the color with bleach, but I used too much and the result wasn't very good. So, I did a second pass and overlaid it with dye in a rainbow spiral pattern.
Now I like the result. In fact, this is the T-Shirt I wore to my sister's 4th of July party (mild teasing ensued), as it looks the most like fireworks!
3. Blue Marble overlaid with Black Spider:
Before I started making my own, I had ordered a couple tie-dye T-shirts off of Ebay. This started out as one of them, but the blue marbling pattern was defective (it had washed out lines running through it), so I decided to try to save it by overlaying a black "spider" pattern. I was both surprised and delighted this turned out as well as it did - especially the deep black.
Patient saved!
4. Black Spiral Discharge:
This is a pure "discharge", done with 100% bleach. I enjoy the immediate results, and the fact you never know what color you're going to end up with. Some black fabrics I tried discharged all the way to white, but most ended up at a rusty orange hue, like the one seen here. Still, I like it. It'll be good for late October!
5. Red Discharge with Spiral on Logo:
This is a pure discharge on a red shirt with an existing logo. I bought the high quality T-Shirt in excellent condition at Goodwill for $1 (score!). I then wrapped and banded the shirt in a classic spiral tie centered on the logo and applied bleach. IMO, the result enhances a previously ordinary surf-T. Very easy and very inexpensive.
6. Fail!
I include this last one as an example of how things don't always work out the way you have planned. This was my first attempt at a "crumple" fold. I crumpled it pretty tight, then dribbled all three primary colors (fuchsia, turquoise, yellow) on the shirt, with mostly blue around the edges. The result? Epic Fail! Instant Sleep Shirt! In other words, I won't be wearing this one out of the house.
The only good news is, the shirt was another cheapie. I find the selection at my local Goodwill to be excellent. Good quality T-shirts in every (sorted!) color and variety go for $2 - and the half-price tags for just $1! Further, I obtained some "blanks" (white T's) from a swap meet last weekend. Gildan and Anvil heavyweights, 5 for $10. In other words:
"I have not yet begun to dye!"Whew!
That's enough for a first time post!
Tie-Dye ToddP.S. Did I say "
mildly" addicted?
