Terrific Tie-Dye: A Helpful Handbook

Special Edition for the Volunteers of Grace Kids Ministry

By Anna Waller - October 27, 2009 Rhet 3326-Professor Freeland TETerrific Tie-Dye:

 2009
Front page illustration: Tie-dye design by Anna Waller All other photographs by Anna Waller

Color Wheel on page 8: courtesy of Rit Basic Tie-Dye Instructions from www.ritdye.com; accessed 26 Oct 2009.

Table of Contents 1

Table of Contents:
Introduction2 The Assignment2 How to Use these Instructions..3 Caution3 Materials3 Additional Materials.3 Instructions..4 Before You Begin.4 I. Preparing the T-shirt for Dye4 II. Preparing the Dye Bath5 III. Dying the T-shirt.6 IV. Caring for Your Creation..7 Very Important.7 Appendix A: How to Use a Color Wheel..8

2 Terrific Tie-Dye ____________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction:
Thank you for volunteering to help dye t-shirts for the children of Grace Kids Ministry! Tie-dye is a classic symbol of creativity that the kids love to wear whenever they host a special celebration service. As a volunteer artist, you will have the joy of hand-crafting five t-shirts based on the instructions in this handbook and materials provided to you. Dont worry if this is your first time, because tie-dying is fun and for everyone. There are no mistakesonly unique creations! You might even be scrounging around for some t-shirts of your own to dye by the time you get going The Assignment: Your mission is to tie-dye five childrens t-shirts in a defined, dicolor (Flamingo Pink and Bahama Blue) classic swirl pattern based on the instructions in this handbook and materials provided to you in the dye kit. Several other volunteers are also creating t-shirts with identical colors and patterns. Your end creation should look similar to the shirt in Figure 1.

Figure 1: End Creation

Introduction 3 ____________________________________________________________________________________ The goal of this project is to allow our kids to have a special memento to celebrate the completion of their lesson series. The splashy, matching colors also look great when the kids sing onstage. How to Use these Instructions: These instructions are specifically tailored to guide you through creating five t-shirts in the speediest, simplest way possible. Assume all instructions and measurements are unique to creating this assignment. For other tie-dye projects you may make in the future, consult directions on dye packet to determine proper dye measurements according to fabric weight or other variations.

CAUTION:
Though exhilarating, this process poses permanent risk of staining clothes, carpet and furniture if dye spills or splatters. Make sure you perform all steps in old clothes, gloves, and outside on the grass or patio. It might also be a good idea to have old towels and garbage bags handy just in case.

Materials (Included in Dye Kit): Figure 2

5 white, 100% cotton childrens t-shirts. 2 dye-packets: 1 Flamingo Pink, 1 Bahama Blue. 1 pack of assorted rubber bands. 1 pack of disposable rubber gloves.
Figure 2: Included Materials

Additional Materials (Not included in Dye Kit): Figure 3 2 plastic bowls. 1 12-quart, stainless steel pot. 4 Tablespoons (1/4 lb.) of salt. Stirring utensil for dye.
Figure 3: Additional Materials

4 Terrific Tie-Dye ____________________________________________________________________________________

Instructions:
Before You Begin: The five new t-shirts you have been given in this kit have already been washed and dried for you in advance to make this process as simple and speedy as possible. However, when using never-been-worn-before fabrics in the future, you should always wash the articles in warm water with detergent and dry with high heat before starting the dying process to remove any waxy or filmy coatings. This ensures that the dye can fully penetrate and leave the most vibrant, permanent colors. I. Preparing the T-shirt for Dye: 1) Lay the t-shirt on a flat surface and pinch the center with your thumb and index finger. 2) Twist the t-shirt tightly, guiding the fabric into a cinnamon roll shape with your free hand (See Figure 4). 3) Once t-shirt is completely and tightly wound into a swirled shape, secure the disk-like bundle with several rubber bands (see Figure 5).

Figure 4: Cinnamon Roll Shape

Figure 5: Disk-like Bundle

Instructions 5 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Helpful Hints: Dont worry if your t-shirt bundle appears messy or uneventhis creates an even more unique design. The tighter the fabric is wound, the more defined the swirl; the looser the fabric is wound the more relaxed the pattern appears. Using different numbers of rubber bands and securing in different places will give you different designs. Also, for large t-shirts you may find it helpful to dampen fabric before you begin twisting.

II.

Preparing the Dye Bath: 1) Put on the pair of disposable gloves and make sure you are wearing clothes you do not care about messing up. 2) Heat 8 cups of water in a 12-quart stainless steel pot to a light simmer. 3) Once water begins to simmer, remove from heat and pour 4 cups of water into each large, open-mouthed plastic bowl. 4) In each of the bowls, empty one of the dye packets. 5) Add 4 Tbsp. (1/4 of a lb.) of salt to each of the dye bathes. 6) Stir all contents until dyes reach a dark, silky, even mixture. Helpful Hints: For bright or dark colors (as in the pink and blue you will be using for this specific project), it is important to use very hot water for the dye bath (around 140F). To achieve this, it is best to heat the water to a light simmer on the stove. For lighter colors, simply using hot water from the tap is sufficient. The hotter the water the deeper and more vibrant the colors will appear on the finished product.

6 Terrific Tie-Dye ____________________________________________________________________________________ III. Dying the T-shirt: 1) Wearing your gloves, gently place the now disk shaped tshirt standing up on its side in the pink dye (see Figure 6). One half of shirt will be submerged, and the other half will remain white and rest above the bath. 2) Allow the t-shirt to rest in the dye-bath for 45 minutes; stir dye occasionally. 3) After 45 minutes, remove shirt with gloved hands from dye and gently squeeze out excess dye by pressing the wet fabric against the bowl. 4) Submerge the opposite side of t-shirt (the part that is still white) in the blue dye bath (see Figure 7). Stir dye occasionally. 5) After 45 minutes of the t-shirt soaking in the second dye bath, remove shirt with gloved hands as before, gently squeezing out the excess with hands and against the side of the bowl. 6) Remove rubber bands and rinse shirt with hose or in a sink until colors stops (or greatly slows) bleeding when squeezed (See Figure 8 and 9). 7) Wash t-shirt with detergent and warm water in washing machine; rinse in cold water. 8) Dry shirt in dryer on high-temperature setting. 9) Press shirt with iron on a high heat setting. This helps the color to permanently set in.

Figure 6: Pink Dye Bath

Figure 7: Blue Dye Bath

Figure 8: Remove Rubber Bands

Figure 9: Rinse and Wring Out Dye

Instructions 7 ___________________________________________________________________________ Helpful Hints When dying with multiple colors, it is usually best to dye fabric in order from lightest to darkest dye. This allows the lighter colors to still appear on the final products as well as provides a base for a new color to appear in the overlap area based on the rules of the color spectrum. In this case, a pleasant purple will bloom in the overlapping folds.

IV.

Caring for Your Creation:

Although you will not be personally caring for these particular t-shirts (written instructions for t-shirt care will be provided to parents), it is important that you understand how to properly care for the tie-dyed clothes you may create in the future. VERY IMPORTANT: Always wash dyed fabrics separately in cold water to preserve their brilliance and protect other clothes from stray dye. After a while, you may notice that the dye has fully and permanently set in and the shirt will be safe to wash in cold water with similar colors. Take care, however, and do not risk this procedure if you are in doubt!

8 Terrific Tie-Dye

Appendix A: How to Use a Color Wheel

By referencing a color wheel (as in Figure 10), you can learn how to create a whole new array of custom colors. Its easy: just place any primary color (red, blue or yellow) adjacent to another primary color, or any secondary color (orange, green or purple) adjacent to another secondary color. The place where the colors meet will create a whole a new unique and interesting color (in the same way that the Flamingo Pink and Bahama Blue combined to produce a light purple in this project). For instance, dying royal blue and scarlet together will produce a grape jelly color. Similarly, pacific blue and sunny yellow will create aquamarine green.

Figure 10: Basic Color Wheel