Tie and Dye

  Tie and dye is a hand method of producing patterns in textiles by tying portions of the fabric or yarn so that they will not absorb the dye, this is according to Merriam Webster dictionary.

It’s pretty straight forward, just like a photo whatever pose is made would be represented in the picture when it is printed. The same applies to tie and dye, whatever colour and pattern is desired can be achieved.

Items needed for tie and dye.

1.     Fabric : usually full cotton material for extremely good results.

2.    A rope of the tie: Something like raffia, rubber band, rubber rope, twine or even some strong thread depending on the design.

3.    Razor blade or counter: used for making the design; it can be placed under the fabric and tied around it (the fabric) with a thread.

4.    Dye:

5.    Hydrosulphite:  To strengthen the colour of the dye.

6.    Caustic soda: To ensure the dye stays on the fabric without fading away.

7.    A plastic bowl, bucket and cups

8.    2 table spoons

9.    Rubber gloves: To protect your skin and hands from the dye and the chemicals for the colour of the dye would be on your hands for a while until it fades. The chemicals can also be harmful to the skin

10. Nose or  breathing masks: For protection from the dust of the dye and all.

11.   Eye protection : To protect the eyes from the chemical splash.

12.  Work clothes or overall: To protect your outfit from getting stained with the dye and also to protect the clothes from the action of the chemicals.

13. Water: normal water and boiling or hot water.

The process of making tie and dye for one yard of cloth

Step 1:Wash fabric ( 1 yard of cloth)
Wash fabric to remove any sizing or oils on the
fabric that may interfere with the dye.We include this instruction because it is a
long standing recommendation in fabric dyeing. Unless you are concerned about the
fitness of the fabric or tie dye, you don’t need to bother washing the fabric first. Keep aside and dry.

Step 2 :  Tie the fabric to form your desired pattern.

Step 2: Put dye into the plastic bowl ( 5 tablespoons of dye)

Step 3: Put the caustic soda into the bowl with the dye (4 to 3 tablespoons)

Step 4: Put the boiling water into that same bowl (a little to ensure that the dye is still thick)

Mix the contents of the bowl together immediately (shake it all together).

Step 5: Add the hydrosulphite to make the colour shine out (10 – 20 tablespoons, depending on how strong you want the colour to be)

Step 6: Add normal water ( the amount of water depends on the kind of fabric; either heavy or soft, ensure the water poured does not neutralize the colour of the dye).

 Step 7: Apply the dye or dip the cloth into the dye.
With fabric on dyeing surface, apply dye to fabric by squirting dye onto the fabric with a pipette squeeze bottle, or other dye application tool. Most dyeing patterns call for saturating the fabric with dye. The mistake most beginners make is to not squirt enough dye into the fabric. Apply all the different colors at this time. Flip the fabric over and apply dye to both sides of the fabric, saturating each side of the fabric. Or dip the fabric into the dye.
Step 8: After you dye
After you are done dyeing the fabric, leave it alone. Do not untie it. Do not hang it up to dry. Leave it tied up, and leave it alone. Let the fabric sit for 2-24 hours. The longer you can let the fabric sit, the easier it will be to wash out loose dye from the fabric. The length of time you let the fabric sit is not overly critical. If you are in a hurry, let the fabric sit for as long as your deadline would permit.
Step 9: Wash loose dye from fabric
Wear gloves while handling the fabric, as the dye will still stain your hands until after it has been washed. Place fabric under cold running water and rinse until no more dye comes out of the fabric.

Note: If you want to make more than one yard of tie and dye, say 5 yards,minus one spoon from the original spoon to one yard and multiply the number by 5, this equals 20 spoons instead of 25 spoons of dye.

Also, if the colour is light, you might need some more dye.

                     Economic and social value of tie and dye

        One can sell tie and dye in social gatherings, in exhibitions, in open displays; to designers to make items like: curtains, duvets, bedsheets, furniture cover and others.

One can also teach others for a fee.

         Tie and dye is used to showcase the African culture and the artistic talent we have in Africa to the world, it is for tourism.

  Tie and T-shirt by Adire nation