| Even if you're not a child of the 60s, you've | | | | ash. Tie dye artisans use a few other |
| probably had the pleasure of owning and | | | | chemicals as well, which you can learn about |
| wearing tie dye clothing. If you've ever been | | | | on an instructional DVD or video. |
| to an event with a craft fair, chances are | | | | |
| that you've noticed those eye-catching booths | | | | The Fun Part: Patterns |
| full of colorful tie-dye clothing and home | | | | |
| decor. You may even have marveled at how they | | | | Tie-dye is all about colors and patterns. |
| manage to incorporate those intricate, | | | | Learning how to make swirls, crinkles, |
| vibrant designs onto a plain cotton T-shirt. | | | | stripes, wavy lines, hearts, clovers, and - |
| | | | yes - even peace signs is a great way to |
| While intricate tie dying is truly an art, | | | | engage the creativity of everyone in the |
| you and your family can have loads of fun at | | | | family. You can learn to tye knots; twist |
| home making your own tie dye (or tye dye) | | | | fabric into pancake shapes secured by rubber |
| creations. Hands down, the best way to learn | | | | bands; roll a shirts to form tubes, which you |
| how to tie-dye is through instructions | | | | then tie; and pleat the fabric to make |
| demonstrated on a video or DVD. Seeing how | | | | symmetrical patterns. |
| it's done, as opposed to reading about it, | | | | |
| makes all the difference in the world. Still, | | | | Applying the Dye |
| tie dye is a process of trial and error, so | | | | |
| why not give it a whirl (or a swirl)? | | | | There are at least six different techniques |
| | | | you can use to apply the dye to your fabric, |
| It's All About the Fabric | | | | from dipping and soaking to using squeeze |
| | | | bottles and spray bottles. Again, someone |
| When it comes to tie dye, the right fabric is | | | | with years of experience can best teach you |
| critical. Natural fibers - like cotton or | | | | how to apply dyes to get the results you |
| linen, pick up the dye well. If you stick | | | | want. |
| with 100 percent cotton, you can't go wrong. | | | | |
| To start with, why not pick up some | | | | Making it Stick |
| inexpensive T-shirts at your local mass | | | | |
| merchandiser? Get one for each family member, | | | | After tie dying your shirts or decor, it's |
| and make it a party! Remember, though, that | | | | important to follow the steps necessary to |
| you need to wash and dry the new garments | | | | make sure the dye reacts with the fiber. Then |
| before you start your tie dying party. | | | | you need to repeatedly wash the fabric in a |
| Unwashed new fabric won't pick up the dye | | | | special solution so that the dyes don't |
| very well. | | | | inadvertently mix and so the garments remain |
| | | | colorfast. |
| The Secret of Dyes | | | | |
| | | | Ultimately, though, tie dye is all about |
| Actually, the dyes you use to tie-dye aren't | | | | having fun. It can be a family adventure, a |
| a big secret. For cotton, you need to use a | | | | fun way to spend a weekend afternoon with |
| dye that will react well to the fabric, | | | | friends, or a way to indulge the creative |
| namely Procion MX, dissolved in a urea | | | | hippie within you. A great instructional DVD |
| solution. You can make virtually every color | | | | or video will help you learn to tie dye, and |
| imaginable with just three colors: yellow, | | | | send you well on your way to creating |
| turquoise, and fuchsia. But, before you start | | | | gorgeous, vibrant designs. |
| dying, you need to soak your fabric in soda | | | | |