Jacob Hobbs

Process Analysis

October 12, 2020

Bye-bye Basic - Try Tie-Dye!

Tie-dyed clothing adds a pop of color to the bland and boring world of formal attire that

society has grown accustomed to. Tie-dye is the quintessential style for people who want a piece

of clothing that will stand out from the norm. The dyed pillowcases on my bed, for example, add

a vibrant contrast to the ivory white sheets and blankets. Arguably the best part of tie-dye is that

it is one of the few clothing styles that can be made from home and completely is customizable

to the wearer’s taste. By tie-dying fabric yourself, you differentiate your style and add a personal

note to your fashion.

The first, and most fundamental, step in tie-dying is gathering the right materials. There

are many different types of dye to choose from, but the best usually comes from a tie-dying

company. People who use food coloring or homemade dyes typically end up with light colors

that fade quickly over time. Depending on what type of dye you purchase, you may have to buy

something called soda ash to wash the fabric before dying. Many manufacturers of dye

incorporate soda ash into the dye itself, so make sure to check with the dye maker. The last

component you will need before you can start the tie-dyeing process is the fabric itself. Whatever

textile you use must be made of one hundred percent cotton, or the dye will not adhere to the

fabric as well.

In order for the fabric to accept dyes, it must be washed and treated beforehand. If the

dye that you have purchased requires treatment of soda ash, let the fabric soak in a water-soda

ash solution for about 20 minutes prior to dying. If your dye doesn't require separate treatment,

just wash the fabric in the washing machine to clean off any chemicals leftover from
manufacturing. Whatever process you use, make sure the fabric is still damp before going into

dying.

There are many different tie-dye designs to choose from, but I particularly enjoy the

classic spiral shape. To achieve this pattern, first lay whatever fabric you are using flat on a

surface covered in plastic, garbage bags, or some sort of protective material. Next, pinch the

center of the cloth and twist until the shirt resembles a cinnamon bun shape. After deciding what

colors you would like to dye the fabric, tightly wrap rubber bands around the spiral to divide it

like a pie chart. When you dye the fabric, the rubber bands prevent color from bleeding into

unwanted areas. Using squeeze bottles or eye droppers, apply the dye to the different sections of

the twisted spiral. Make sure to apply liberally, as you want the dye to seep into the fabric as

much as possible. Flip the disc over and apply dye to the opposite side.

Once it is completely dyed, keep the rubber bands around the cloth disk and place it into

a gallon-sized ziplock bag. Let sit for around 24 hours to allow the dye to set in. If you don’t let

the fabric soak for at least one day, the dye will fade quickly and not be as vibrant. After this

time has passed, rinse out the excess dye with cool water and take out the rubber bands. Run the

fabric in a washing machine on the cold water setting to further remove excess dye. After

washing, you can either hang or machine dry the fabric, keeping in mind while machine drying

will set the color in for longer, it could shrink the fabric.

After drying the tie-dye is ready for use! Tie-dying something is a great activity for kids

and adults alike. Having a shirt or a sweatshirt that you can say you designed and dyed yourself

is a great way of expressing your style and favorite colors. Whether you are dressing up as a

hippie from the ’70s or just wanting to spice up your wardrobe, tie-dye is a unique way to stand

out in a crowd.