TIE - DYE

Tie-dye dates back to ancient times. Along with beads, shells, and other ornamentation, our ancestors tie-dyed. Think to the story of Joseph, son of Jacob, in the Bible's Old Testament. He had a beautiful coat of many colors; the envy of his brothers. Could it have been tie-dyed?

Stripes and geometric grids

pleating and gathering

“walking the line”

The History of Tie Dye…

• Tie-dye became fully developed in China during the T'ang dynasty (618 AD) and in Japan during the Nara period (552). • The availability of silk and hemp, which are very receptive to the resist technique, made these countries' art outstanding. • Some early tribes in Western China, South East Asia, and Central America tied and dyed the threads before weaving their cloth. • When it was woven into material, beautiful designs appeared where the white lines of the tie contrasted with the colored dyes. • This method is known as ikat .

• Other forms of tie-dye can be found in other countries around the world. • Varied styles of tie-dye have emerged to distinguish the different nations of Africa.

• The Indian tie-dye technique called Bandhni, is the oldest tie-dye tradition we know that is still practiced. • The Malay-Indonesian name for this technique is Plangi. – This technique involves a design made of dots, in which many small points are tied with thread

circles and spirals

donuts

Stars and radial design

draping and wrapping over dowels

“clipping off” areas

Marble or “allover” pattern

scrunching into a ball

Combinations and stitching patterns

think about composition on the object

representational design

Tie-Dye in the United States

• In the U.S. during the Roaring '20s, pamphlets were printed that gave directions on how to decorate home with tie-dyed curtains and throw-pillows. • During the Depression, girls cut up cotton flour sacks, tie-dyed them, and then sewed them into clothing, curtains, and tablecloths. – When times are rough, tie-dyeing has been a way to brighten peoples' lives and provide inexpensive colored fabric.

• Tie-dye came back in style in the 1960's when a great movement emerged among young people that emphasized individuality. • It was time to "do your own thing." – Each person could make a statement by tie-dyeing clothes with a personal combination. • Tie-dyed sheets were used as room dividers and wall hangings. Silk and cotton banners were used as backdrops for rock and roll concerts.

some other uses of tie dye…

Bleaching (tie dye in reverse)

discharge

Basically removing dye from the fabric, usually with bleach, sometimes with acid is called discharge dyeing.

S ometimes with a stencil to create a sometimes as a design, base for

Rust Dyeing

Shibori

The process...

MORDANT Pre-dye soaking bath.

Acts to help the dye adhere to the fabric.

UREA Helps make colors brighter.

Acts as a Humectant - helps keep the fabric damp by attracting water and moisture.

washing and rinsing the fabric • Rinse twisted fabric in warm water, and continue to rinse until water runs clear.

• Untwist fabric and continue to rinse until water runs clear.

• Wash in HOT water with Joy or Dawn dishwashing detergent (and 1/4 cup salt) to keep colors from running.

• Iron on hottest setting when dry (to heat set the colors).

block and stencil dyeing

African mud cloth

Batik

Paper (and fabric) marbling