How to Apply the Knot Tie-Dye Technique

If you want to recycle your tshirts or fabric scraps and try a knot tie-dye technique, follow these easy steps and develop your own tie-dye stripes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• TShirts/Fabric Scraps
• Fabric Dye or
• Tie-Dye fabric kit
• Latex Gloves
• RubberBands
• Mixing Tool (for dye)
• Timer

1. 
   Hold Tee or Fabric Scrap from Corner

   Organize your tshirts or fabric scraps into seperate piles. Once you have selected your items, you are ready to start the knot tie dye technique process.
   
   Take your fabric from corner. Smooth fabric. Remember, if you are working with fabric scraps, you are working with uneven raw edges. You may have to twist your fabric more than your whole garment.
   
   Special note: If you are working with whole garments and not fabric cuts or scraps, you may get a different effect since you are working with attached parts. For a full tshirt, test knot tie dye technique using fabric scraps by using two (2) ply fabric and then knotting. Check your results first in order to make adjustments prior to dipping your tshirt.
   
   If you do not have fabric scraps handy, use a worn tshirt and test by knotting a sleeve only.

2. 
   Twist Fabric!

   Once fabric pieces are smooth, begin to twist and roll. This will give you a rope like effect. The more you twist, the less dye will absorb into the fabric. Keep this in mind, when planning your design. Allow your creativity and uniqueness to shine through!
   
   You do not have to twist the whole piece at once. If you are working with 1-2 yard fabric cuts, twist a portion and begin knot process. Fabric has a tendency to unroll while twisting. You may use rubberbands to secure your twist prior to begin knotting.

3. 
   The Beginning of Your Tie Dye Stripe!

   Once you are satisfied with a section, its time to start the knot tie-dye technique. Take your fabric from one end and tie as if you were tying a shoe lace to secure your loops.
   
   When designing your stripe pattern, keep in mind that in order to have a stripe repeat background, measure how far apart you want your stripes.
   
   Keep in mind, the size of the knot. The larger the knot, the wider the stripe. The smaller the knot, the thinner the stripe.

4. 
   Concentrated Stripe Repeat Knot Tie-Dye Technique

   For example, if you want to achieve a 1-1/2"inch stripe repeat, your knots have to be 1-1/2"inches apart from eachother. If you want to achieve a more concentrated section of stripes, your knots have to be side by side.
   
   
   
   
   Once you are satisfied with your knots, you are ready to mix your fabric dye. Read your instructions and have all of your materials handy. Although you are working with small pieces of fabric, and you may be working with smaller containers and dyes, the fabric dye may still splatter. Try to have a work garment handy to avoid dye on your clothes.

5. 
   Complete Knotted Fabric Mixing Concentrated Stripe and 1-1/2

   Once all your parts have been secured, you are ready to begin the dipping process. If you are dyeing with one color, you may want to incorporate color gradation within your design. This process will give you a lighter shade stripe and a darker shade stripe.
   
   In order to achieve this process, start with a 2-3 minute interval. This is where your timer will come in handy. You may recycle your old egg timer and now have a brand new tool for your tie-dye workshops!
   
   Do not leave your project unattended. The smaller pieces of fabric will absorb dye quickly and you may not need the full 3 minutes.
   
   Remove fabric and rinse, while allowing dye to go back into dyeing container. Slightly open one fold or knot and see if you are satisfied with the color tone achieved. If you are not, re-dip and repeat.
   
   Once you are satisfied with the color tones, you are now ready to start the color gradation process.
   
   Select the knot or portion of fabric you want to appear darker and richer. This time, re-dip the selected fabric portion only for a 4-6 minute interval. Do not submerge the whole piece of fabric!
   It best to go from light to dark.

6. 
   Use Your Creativity and Mix Color Tones!

   You may also do this process with 2-3 seperate fabric dye colors.
   
   You will repeat the same process as Step 5, except you will need to select the knots that you want in a different color.
   
   You may also add the color gradation technique to your knot. Allow half (/2)of your knot in dye for 2-3 minutes and the other half (1/2) of your knot for 4-6 minutes. The key to the knot tie dye techique is the time interval.
   Same tie dye rule applies, the longer the time your fabric remains in the dye, the richer and deeper your stripe and color tones will be!

7. Allow six (6) hours drying time. This will help the dye set into your fabric. Pre-wash your items with a small amount of laundry soap before wearing or starting a new project.
   
   Enjoy your tie dye project and your unique style and design! Always remember, you can do anything you set your mind and heart too! Enjoy your tie-dye workshop at camp or family fun just in time for back to school!

Tips & Warnings

• Always test your fabric dye and knots with extra fabric scraps prior to dipping all of your pieces. This will help you check size stripes or perhaps re-dip for longer time interval.
• Remember the key to dyeing with the knot technique is timing. This will help you with color gradation and also mixing of colors within your design.
• Do not mix your dye until you have finished knotting all of your pieces. This may take a little more time than your spiral and other tie-dye techniques.
• Read your fabric dye instructions prior to starting your project. Some kits allow you to use a portion of the fabric dye and save the balance for an upcoming project. However, there are dyes on the market, that once the package is opened, it is not recommended to seperate and leave unused.
• Some fabric dyes do best with 100% cotton as well as with light colors.
• Polyester may not accept fabric dye. Check fabric dye instructions for fabric content breakdowns.
• To achieve bright color fabric dye, it is best to pre-wash PRIOR to starting your project. The pre-wash will help remove the fabric sizing and it will allow the fabric dye to penetrate deeply into the fibers.
• Make sure you are working in a well ventilated area!
• If you are under the age of 14, ask your parents or supervising adults to join you for family fun!

Resources

• Free Project Pattern Downloads on Homepage!
• Video: Tie-Dye Knot Technique
• Follow Me on Twitter for Recycling Project Updates!
• Suggested How-To Tie-Dye Books!
• Kids Eco-Friendly Recycling Projects!
• Video: Knot Technique Long Sleeve
• Video: Dyeing Fabric with Knot Technique