| Tie-dye clothing today experiences a magical revival. | | | | parts of the fabric could be prepared so that they |
| Baby boomers who grew up with tie-dye t-shirts | | | | would resist the dye when it was applied to the whole |
| during the flower power and peace movement are | | | | fabric or garment. One way was to apply some wax |
| now coming into a phase of their lives where they | | | | that would make the fiber un-impregnable to the water |
| have more time to reflect, remember the values they | | | | based dyes. After the dying process the wax would |
| held dear 40 years ago and have the resources to | | | | be removed by heat or some solvent. This method is |
| seek out clothing that will rekindle those valued held | | | | now known as batik. The other obvious method was |
| before they went into business and were distracted | | | | to tie the garment into tight knots or fold and tie it |
| for a few decades. | | | | tightly so that, when dipped into the dye, some areas |
| Dying fabrics has a long history. Men had always the | | | | could not be reached by the dye. We call this tie-dying. |
| urge to adorn his body to make him stand out. Nature | | | | During a period at the end of the 16th century Japan |
| offered many colors and when it was discovered that | | | | was divided into kingdoms which were often at war |
| fibers could be woven into cloth, which then was used | | | | with each other. In recognition of special bravery in |
| to create garments, it was obvious that attempts | | | | battles warlords often awarded officers most prized |
| were made to use the colors nature offered to make | | | | tie-dyed kimono or kosode. A special variety of tie-dye |
| those garments more significant. | | | | is used in these kimonos. Larger areas of the fabric |
| Initially, dyes, extracted from various plants' juices, | | | | are tied off to create white areas which are then filled |
| flowers, bark, leaves, etc., were applied to the basic | | | | with ink-drawings of intricate flowers, landscapes and |
| cloth. The problem was that these early dyes did not | | | | sceneries. |
| last through washing or could even be brushed off. | | | | Those gifts have been passed down from generation |
| This form of coloring has to be considered a form of | | | | to generation and some can now be found in |
| embellishment and not yet dying. | | | | museums. Even though the natural dyes have faded, |
| When it was discovered how a permanent bond of | | | | the designs of flowers and detailed scenes and |
| the dye with the fabric could be accomplished dying | | | | landscapes are still magnificent. |
| was born. Different methods were developed how | | | | |