Recently I have visited a tie dye masterclass. For a long time I was reading about this textile dying technique and couldn’t ignore the possibility to try it out. Most of the tie dye techniques ( sometimes it is also called shibori ) require a textile paint in which you either dunk the item you dye or squirt the paint from a plastic bottle. But at the tutrial I visited another option was shown. You can simply use a silk paint which you apply on the wet fabric with a brush. Thus you can control the amount of paint you apply on the textile and create a more complicated effects.
I had a blank cotton ecobag in my closet which I desided to use for this master class. I chose the bullseye techniqe for my tote. Also, I have decided to create an ombre effect by applying the dye less intensly step by step.
Here’s what you gonna need:
Materials
- Cotton ecobag
- Rubber bands
- Rubber gloves
- Textile paint ( 2 colours )
- Paint brush
- Plastic sheet
Step 1. Prepare the workspace by covering it with a plastic sheet or tablecloth in order to avoid paint stains on the surfaces zou don’t want to have them on. Alternatively, choose the easily washable surface.
Step 2. Soak the ecobag in the clear water. This will help the dye to spread over the textile surface and make the gradient effect more soft.
Step 3. Pinch the fabric at the place where the center of the bullseye should be and and pull it upward in the tube shape. Place a rubber band about 1″ from the top. Continue banding the rubber at the distance of 2″. I have decided to make a large bullseye on one side of the bag and two small ones at the other side.
Step 4. Start applying the paint with the brush from the bottom of the bag. To create the ombre effect, apply the paint very intensly, then gradually reducing the intensity to the lighter color.
Step 5. Repeat the same process from the top of the bag, using another color.
Step 6. Let it dry for 10 hours minimum. Remove the rubber bands and smooth out the tote. Iron it in order to fix the paint.
Note! There are different kinds of textile paint and dye. Make sure you follow the instructions at the bottle of the paint you use.
And here is the result:
And, of course, the cats are the great helpers. Mine is not an exception.
