A recent dye I wanted to add to the gallery

[TieDyeTodd]

Wow.

I guess I wasn't kidding about surgical precision!

- Question:  When you say, "I've folded the outline of the upper most wing and added two hemostats/peons along the fold line..." does this mean you are accordian/fan folding (with fairly small pleats) along the pen mark of the line, then clamping it tightly together with the hemostat?  And is this what accounts for such a distinct white outline on the finished shirt?  In other words, the drawn outlines are pleated and clamped so tight that little dye can penetrate them, thus resulting in a nearly white outline?

I think I just answered my own question, but is this correct?

- Question #2:  How do you apply your dye to that... hemostated bundle?

- Comment:  Yes, of course, we'd like to see the finished result!

- Comment #2:  I thought I would take a break after a month of pretty intense tie-dyeing...

...but this may suck me back in!

Thanks for the tutorial,

Tie-Dye Todd

P.S.  I just did a search for "hemostat" on Ebay, and it returned over 2000 results!  Who knew??

[Whit]

Ha!  I posted the picture of that moth!  Thank you for not only doing what I have been trying to do, but also giving up the information to do it correctly.  Excellent work!

[brixter]

Yes Todd, what you've described is exactly what is going on. You fold along the line and apply the hemostat right over the fold line. As you said it keeps the dye from penetrating and outlines the design for you. It also gives you something of a barrier between colors, although the dye will seep through where the hemos are......but since they outline the design the color doesn't destroy the pattern. Once I get one of these totally dyed, I usually go around the perimeter of the design with a dark color to over dye what has bled into surrounding material....kind of makes the pattern pop. I use pipettes for applying the dye. I like mixing a palette of colors very concentrated, 2 TBS of powder for a cup of urea/water mix. I like how the colors run and bleed so I don't add alginate at this point. I heat a cup of water and add enough alginate to just the plain water to make a thick syrupy mix. For areas where I don't want the dye to run I'll just add a bit of whichever dye I'm working with to a bit of this alginate mixture....couple of stirs with the pipette and it's ready. Also, when I dye one of these patterns that is so distorted by the hemos I like to dye it as soon after tying as I can. It can be confusing figuring out where you are in this twisted up lump of fabric. One of the first things I used the hemostats for were peace signs. After you do a few you can have a peace sign tied and ready in about 5 minutes...nothing but hemos! Here's the moth side  of the shirt in the demo.

[brixter]

Here's the other side. This is for a lady who's purchased quite a few shirts off me. She has a friend who's into bugs (Entomologist?) and wanted to buy a butterfly shirt. Since I was so pumped at how the moth looked I had to send her a picture and offer to do one side each way. Isn't tie dyeing FUN???

[ktaltre]

now there's going to be a run on hemostats on Ebay!
k. taltre

[fiberartist219]

That is incredibly beautiful.

[TieDyeTodd]

That moth looks so... moth-like.  And even though I've now seen the process with my own eyes, I still find it hard to believe it can be achieved exclusively with tie-dyeing techniques.  I'm sure there must be a lot of subtleties to master as part of the Experience Factor, but that's really tie-dyeing on another level.

Congrats and thanks for the inspiration,

Tie-Dye Todd

P.S.  Can you provide a link to where you sell your stuff online?  I'm just curious to have a look-see.

[brixter]

I'm glad there's been some interest in how the moth was made! I do want to stress that I'm still comparatively new to tie dyeing and know there's likely many areas of my process that need improvement....that's why I'm here, to learn. I'm very glad I found something to contribute however! Don't think there's any magic in what I've done Todd...you just learn what you can from folks willing to share knowledge and learn the rest through trial and error. A year ago my best shirt design was a v-stripe, then I was browsing photos of dyes done by an other artist and it was kind of a eureka moment, I could see just how the hemostat was used. I realize some dyers guard their secrets to make their dyes unique but to me the use of a specific tool isn't going to make all our dyes the same... but just maybe it could make some of them better. If we present a better product we'll get more folks interested and in my small mind it seems we'll all profit by more interest. Wouldn't it be awesome if the recent trend to wear tie dye just kept growing!!!! PEACE!

[tiedyejudy]

I've been tie-dyeing for over 12 1/2 years now, and I confess that I am totally bowled over by your work!  I have tried a butterfly a couple of times using standard tying methods, but they weren't anywhere near as clear and accurate as your pieces... guess I need to get some hemostats!  Thanks so much for sharing your process!
Judy

[Releaf]

Your work is amazing!  Thanks for sharing your techniques.

[mustdye]

Very cool technique !!
Thanks for sharing 

[drhulsey]

the hemostat was probably originally developed as a medical/surgical tool.

In the haze of the 60's, I think I recall that the instrument was developed as a roach clip by an inhaling surgeon in the San Francisco area. It worked so well that it occured to him that it might work for clamping blood vessels! So, it became a hemostat instead of a holdyourtoke!
Great work Brixter!!

[dianaj]

I want to buy some hemostats on ebay.   The cheepest dealer only has hemostats with serrated jaws vs. smooth jaws right now.  Does this matter? 

Thank you

Diana

[brixter]

The ones I use have serrated jaws. I've found both the straight jaw and the curved jaw are useful. If I had to choose just one I would pick the curved jaw. I just learned you can be too aggressive clamping them on. I just washed out a tapestry I made using a sheet from a garage sale and discovered I actually ripped the fabric. I'll have to figure out a way to patch it....probably the best tap I've made so far!

[brixter]

I was wondering if anyone has tried a shirt using the hemostats? If you've had some success I would be thrilled to see a picture or hear about it! I'll add a tapestry picture that I'm proud of......maybe it'll be an inspiration to somebody.