Have you ever wanted to create your own tie-dye spiral t-shirt? It's a fun technique that can be used to make custom t-shirts, and in this article, i'll walk you through the process step-by-step. I'll even provide a helpful video to guide you along the way.
To start, you'll need to gather some supplies and materials. You'll need the dye itself, along with the t-shirt to dye. You'll also need some tools and safety materials, including rubber bands or strong string, gloves, and buckets to dip the shirt in the dye.
Additionally, you may need caustic soda, hydrosulphite, and soda ash (depending on the type of dye you purchase). The type of dye we'll be using is called Vat dye.
What is Vat Dye
This is a special type of dye that is insoluble in water, which means it doesn't dissolve directly in water. Instead, the dye is applied in a soluble, reduced form to impregnate the fiber and then oxidized in the fiber back to its original insoluble form. Vat dyeing is a process that takes place in a bucket or vat.
Top Spiral Tutorial Video
Once you have your supplies, you can begin the tie-dye process.
Step 1
Start by folding your t-shirt flat on the table, then pinch the top right side of the shirt and twist it clockwise. Keep twisting until the entire shirt is fully swirled.
Step 2
Next, tie the folded shirt with multiple rubber bands to make it tight and resist the dyes from penetrating inside the spiral pattern.
Step 3
Mix the dye in a bowl with the combination of dye powder, caustic soda, and hydrosulphite (soda ash is optional). Immerse the tied shirt in the dye bath and let it sit for at least 15-20 minutes without stirring.
Step 4
After dying, rinse the shirt immediately, dry it, iron it, and it's ready to wear.
Note that if you can't find 100% cotton shirts, you can use an 80/20 cotton/polyester blend, but the dye colors won't be as vibrant. Avoid 50/50 cotton/polyester blends because the dye won't react well, and the colors will come out very pale.
Please do well to comment below and ask any question.
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