Question for those who Tie Dye...

[jas0202]

...We are getting ready to do our tie dye shirts in a week or so before our trip. We are all wearing the shirts to MVMCP, and I want a very christmasy red and green look...not pink and mint colored! I have no idea what kind of dye to purchase! I don't want to order online if I can avoid it since I have a bunch of coupons for michaels, joann, hobby lobby, etc. What brands have you used with success? Any other tips? I did a tester with the mickey head and it was dreadful, so we are just doing the regular tie dye, then I will get spray fabric paint or dye and use freezer paper as a stencil to paint a bold black mickey head in the center. I know the logistics of the process, just stuck on what kind of dye to purchase...any help would be appreciated!

 

[tyniknate]

I've used several kinds and the best came from acmoore. I apologize, I'm at work and can't think of the name. They are small individual jars with black lids. They come in powders and in all kids of colors. They were the best and brightest by far. We have done the mickey ears 5 or 6 different times and haven't had a problem.

You need to make sure your dental floss is pulled tight. When you think it is pulled tight enough, pull it a little tighter. Then, wrap where you have tied off in rubber bands (the tighter the better). We used probably six or eight rubber bands around the puff of shirt. We wrapped, and wrapped and wrapped some more. Left kind of an odd shaped puff of shirt in the middle. Dye that puffed part and place that part into a sandwich bag, then tie off the sandwich bag with another rubber band. It really wasn't too hard.

Make sure your shirts are 100% cotton, that you have pre-laundered the shirts with no fabric softener, and use soda ash.

This is the best advice I can give you. Give the mickey head another shot - they were way fun and everyone's turned out a little different. You might want to try it on an old shirt you have in a dresser drawer that you don't wear. Once you get the hang of it - you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Good luck!

 

[jlarsen]

awesome.
great info!