Tie Dye Instructions for Spiral Mickey Shirt

[jenn-]

Okay, I am all done with swirled Mickey tie dying. This last batch came out good and I just don't think I have it in me to stitch another Mickey head. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to stop 2 little bitty holes from growing? I wasn't careful enough snipping away the rubber bands on one shirt (mine ) and there are two small holes on it. Anyways here are the results of the last batch. If you want to see how I "fixed" my DH's first shirt or what I did with the leftover dye this time you will have to stop by the PTR .
These are fronts and backs.

 

[singnring]

Jenn-,
Try a dab of clear nail polish on the backside of the shirt where the holes are - like you do for stopping a run in your pantyhose.
There is also stuff available @ places like JoAnn Fabrics that are for stopping fraying. That may work also, but it's basically the same as using the nail polish.

Good luck!

BTW, the shirts look great!

 

[Tinker_]

Jenn- excellent job sweetie! I love them! Your DH's colors are really cool and 'manly'! Love it!~

 

[quiltymom]

Jenn,

the stuff singring was talking about is Fray Check, which you can get at JoAnns, and maybe even craft stores. Fray Check is a brand name, and there are other brands out there, too.

What I do is just sew it shut. If you're handy with a needle, or just want to try, it's not too hard. From the backside and going around the hole, just stick the needle through each of the "loops" that have opened up in the weave. Then just tie the ends together, sealing with fray check, then snip close to - but not at - the knot. It works like a charm!

Good luck!

 

[jenn-]

Jenn,

the stuff singring was talking about is Fray Check, which you can get at JoAnns, and maybe even craft stores. Fray Check is a brand name, and there are other brands out there, too.

What I do is just sew it shut. If you're handy with a needle, or just want to try, it's not too hard. From the backside and going around the hole, just stick the needle through each of the "loops" that have opened up in the weave. Then just tie the ends together, sealing with fray check, then snip close to - but not at - the knot. It works like a charm!

Good luck!

I am trying to picture the stitch here. Is it like the basting stitch I did on Mickey's head hitting all of the loops and then pulling it tight like I did with Mickey? Sewing isn't my strong suite, but it sounds easy enough if this is what you are talking about.

 

[quiltymom]

What great shirts have been posted here! I'm going to make yet another set for our upcoming cruise, so I gotta get planning.

A funny thing happened while I was on vacation. We were at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for the 4th of july, and we were wearing our r/w/b mickey tie-dyes. One of the parents overseeing the scouts helping out that day saw the shirts and asked where I had gotten the idea. I said the DIS, of course, and she's also been on this thread and made shirts! I can't remember her username right off hand, but it was fun to meet another DISser in a non-Disney place!

 

[jenn-]

Jenn-,
Try a dab of clear nail polish on the backside of the shirt where the holes are - like you do for stopping a run in your pantyhose.
There is also stuff available @ places like JoAnn Fabrics that are for stopping fraying. That may work also, but it's basically the same as using the nail polish.

Good luck!

BTW, the shirts look great!

DH suggested the nail polish as well. I actually have clear stuff on hand right now which is a rarity. I was slightly concern that anything I try will leave a dark spot from the front.

Jenn- excellent job sweetie! I love them! Your DH's colors are really cool and 'manly'! Love it!~

Thanks. DH actually created the blue on their shirts from some of the black, turquoise, and purple, as he thought the straight turquoise would be too light with the other colors. He was pretty proud of the results. Unfortunately this technique really needs 4 colors and many of the kits only came with 3.

 

[quiltymom]

Jenn, it's kinda like that. But you're not grabbing a bunch of fabric, just trying to catch the ends of the fabric that's made by the hole and stop it. The goal is to keep it as flat as possible so you can't see the mended spot.

Let's see. How can I describe it better? Okay - how about this. Tee shirt fabric is a knit, just like a sweater, only the ribs of the knit is so much smaller. It can unravel up and down just like a sweater can. You want to try to catch the loops of the rib made by the hole to keep them from unraveling more. You'll most likely need to catch some of the sides of the hole that's not a "loop", but you don't want to get too much or else you'll have a gathered bundle in the fabric.

Does this help?

If this still isn't clear, I could always try to post photos to let you know. But that will have to wait a bit since I'm about to leave the house for a while. Just let me know.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Okay, I am all done with swirled Mickey tie dying. This last batch came out good and I just don't think I have it in me to stitch another Mickey head. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to stop 2 little bitty holes from growing? I wasn't careful enough snipping away the rubber bands on one shirt (mine ) and there are two small holes on it. Anyways here are the results of the last batch. If you want to see how I "fixed" my DH's first shirt or what I did with the leftover dye this time you will have to stop by the PTR .
These are fronts and backs.

These came out great!

One question -- what did you do differently between the really, really crisp-looking Mickey heads and the ones where the lines are not as crisp? I did my first mickey head with floss and was disappointed to see that my mickey head is not very crisp. I pulled the floss super tight, but the dye still bled really far beyond the floss.

Thanks!

 

[jenn-]

These came out great!

One question -- what did you do differently between the really, really crisp-looking Mickey heads and the ones where the lines are not as crisp? I did my first mickey head with floss and was disappointed to see that my mickey head is not very crisp. I pulled the floss super tight, but the dye still bled really far beyond the floss.

Thanks!

My only guess is that I got the rubber bands closer and tighter right next to the floss. I had to have overlapped the string just a hair on a couple of them as I have some random white spots next to the line on 2 of the shirts. Definitely not overly noticeable, but there. I really have no skill with this tie dying thing, I truthfully believe it was pure luck...lol.

 

[jenn-]

Jenn, it's kinda like that. But you're not grabbing a bunch of fabric, just trying to catch the ends of the fabric that's made by the hole and stop it. The goal is to keep it as flat as possible so you can't see the mended spot.

Let's see. How can I describe it better? Okay - how about this. Tee shirt fabric is a knit, just like a sweater, only the ribs of the knit is so much smaller. It can unravel up and down just like a sweater can. You want to try to catch the loops of the rib made by the hole to keep them from unraveling more. You'll most likely need to catch some of the sides of the hole that's not a "loop", but you don't want to get too much or else you'll have a gathered bundle in the fabric.

Does this help?

If this still isn't clear, I could always try to post photos to let you know. But that will have to wait a bit since I'm about to leave the house for a while. Just let me know.

Thanks for the tips. I gave it a whirl and I think I did okay on it. I might still tap the ends with some clear polish to be safe. I will know where the spots are, but I am pretty sure no one else will notice them unless they are staring at my non existent girlies .

 

[TarzansKat]

You know what I find so amazing? Forgive me if someone's said this before. We all do the same basic thing here, and we get so many different shirts! I love seeing everyone's results!

 

[Tinker_]

I think that is really cool to! So many creative people here! OK, here is my latest...

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Those are beautiful, Cassi! I'm jealous of your perfect Mickeys, though.

LOVE the tinkerbell shirt and the wings -- adorable!

Are you your own model?

On the last shirt, with the Mickey on your hip, do you do three circles of stitched floss instead of one continuous Mickey head?

 

[TarzansKat]

Wow. How on earth did you do those Tink wings? Awesome!

 

[Tinker_]

Those are beautiful, Cassi! I'm jealous of your perfect Mickeys, though.

LOVE the tinkerbell shirt and the wings -- adorable!

Are you your own model?

On the last shirt, with the Mickey on your hip, do you do three circles of stitched floss instead of one continuous Mickey head?

Thanks! I really have no explanation as to why they come out so good (dont get me wrong, I have some that bleed like everyone else!!) except that I have done soo many of them!

Yes, I have to be my own model! I have mannequin forms, but my female one is super tiny, and the V neck shirts dont look as cute on her, so I just use my cameras self timer!

Actually, no- even though I know it looks like I did. I have some that come out like that sometimes! I have to keep myself from touching them up, bc some of my customers like them like that!

Wow. How on earth did you do those Tink wings? Awesome!

Resist! I know, I cant bring myself to list it, I love it too much! hahaha!

 

[TarzansKat]

Resist! I know, I cant bring myself to list it, I love it too much! hahaha!

What's Resist? And you should totally keep it!

 

[quiltymom]

All right, Tinker - you're putting us all to shame!!!! Those designs are absolutely fantastic! You're giving me some great ideas on what to do for my cruise tees!

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Actually, no- even though I know it looks like I did. I have some that come out like that sometimes! I have to keep myself from touching them up, bc some of my customers like them like that!

Well, *I* really like it! I may try three circles instead of one big head if I can't figure out what my uder error is on these shirts.

 

[Tinker_]

What's Resist? And you should totally keep it!

It is made by Tulip- I bought it at Hobby Lobby. It is like doing Batik- you put it on, let it dry, then dye the shirt- then wash it out. Where you put the resist (in theory) should stay white!

All right, Tinker - you're putting us all to shame!!!! Those designs are absolutely fantastic! You're giving me some great ideas on what to do for my cruise tees!

Aww! I am not trying to put anyone to shame! just remember I have prob done, like, IDK- 150 shirts!

Well, *I* really like it! I may try three circles instead of one big head if I can't figure out what my uder error is on these shirts.

Thanks! Yeah, I have have seen people who do it that way at WDW! We always seem to find the other tie dyers while we are there! lol