Tie dye is really popular this season and it’s really fun to create your own designs. The only problem is that it can be very messy. This project though is perfect as it not only is it relatively mess free, it is so easy and instant.
You will need
Permanent markers – such as Sharpies- Surgical Spirit – or rubbing alcohol
- old syringe or teaspoon
- Plain T shirts of scarves
Step one – prepare your fabric
This project needs very little preparation, but the most important thing to remember to do is to protect your work surface and the underside of your fabric. If you are using a tshirt you need to insert a piece of card, a baking tray or an old chopping board between the layers. This will ensure that you only add your design to one side of the Tshirt.
Step two – create your design
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As is always the case with tie dye, you can never be sure how your design will end up, so it’s best to have a practise first on a spare piece of fabric to see what sort of effects you can create with this technique, before you move onto the tshirt
Step three – apply your design
Draw your design using permanent markers such as Sharpies .
Then using an old syringe (you can buy these over the counter at pharmacies) and draw up a small amount of surgical spirit and gently squeeze a drop or two onto your design.
These simple dots can make a lovely pin wheel design.
Originally this method called for pure alcohol, but as there are now new regulations in the uk that make it illegal to sell pure alcohol over the counter I’ve had to find other methods of doing this. One of the easiest methods is to use Surgical spirit or acetone. I’m not so keen on acetone as it can alter the colour slightly. Surgical spirit does smell, but keeps a truer colour. NB whichever method you choose do make sure that you work space is well ventilated.
Step four – experiment, experiment, experiment
As I said earlier, you can never guarantee how your desing will turn out so just experiment and see what fabulous effects you can create.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Simple lines can become a fusion of colour
