Mastering Tie Dye Folding Techniques 

The tie dye folds that you want to master in order to do any of the various tie dye folding techniques are:

tie-dye-folding-techniques.jpg– accordion fold
– scrunch fold
– circle tie, and
– the spiral fold

You can create heart shape, vertical and diagonal stripes and, even a tie dyed grid like pattern using the accordion fold.

 

Take a cotton t-shirt or other cotton item and

– make repeated even folds in it
– carefully bunch the folds or layer them on top of each other
– bind them with either rubber bands or dental floss
– then you can apply the different colors of dye

For a tie dye heart shape you should fold your t-shirt in half vertically and draw one side of your heart along the fold line. Using the half  heart as a path “accordion” fold along the “heart’s” outline and hold in place with a rubber band where the outline has been bunched together.

Other tie dye folding techniques include

Accordian Fold

To create a grid tie dye pattern you’ll accordion fold your cloth or t-shirt diagonally till you have a narrow strip of folded layers. Then you’ll take this strip and repeat vertically.

Circle Tie:

The circle tie, or rosette knot is where you take up a point of fabric and tie it off  by tying it in a knot or with a rubber band. You can repeat in different areas of the fabric or tie off additional sections from the first one.

Scrunch Fold:

The scrunch fold is where you carefully bunch together your article of cloth, making sure to keep your material in one layer and the bunches fairly small, developing a circular round. Tie together while maintaining the flat circular shape of your scrunched fabric.

Another tie dye folding technique is the Spiral Fold:

Spirals folds are used to create circular patterns, spirals, spider shapes and medallion patterns. You pinch together or use a fork to hold the center of your spiral and twist your fabric into a spiral while keeping your folds as even as possible and creating a flat disk. Again, you’ll want to bind your disk shape in place with rubber bands or dental floss.

Aside from these basic tie dye folds, there are also various tools you can use to create many additional tie dye textural effects. Rock salt can be used to cause a kind of watery textured effect. You can combine different stencils with a back drop of tie dyed color to create different kinds of patterns.

Both lace and tape can also be used to create a variety of patterns by using them as reverse stencil tools. Different widths of tape can be placed perpendicular to each other to create plaid designs that can be enhanced by brushing in details with paint or dye later on. Sponging and splattering can also used.

Tie dye is a favorite summer project.. Tie-dye projects are fun to make and are perfect for rainy days, sleepovers, parties, or summer camps. You can learn different designs to create an infinite number of unique tie dye patterns. Easy but unique patterns so you can make your own cool designs out of a plain white t-shirt.

Check out this Tie Dye Laundry Hamper Round Waterproof Clothes Storage Basket.

 

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