tiedyeing

Tie-dyeing, sometimes spelled tiedyeing, is a resist-dyeing technique in which fabric is folded, twisted, pleated, or bound with string or rubber bands before dye is applied to create patterns. The binding or folding blocks dye from reaching all areas, producing motifs such as spirals, bull’s-eyes, stripes, or random marbling once the bindings are removed.

Common materials are natural fibers such as cotton or linen, which take dye readily, though synthetic fabrics can be dyed with specialized dyes and methods. The most widely used dyes for home tie-dyeing are fiber-reactive dyes on cellulose fibers, which require mixing with water and soda ash to fix the color. Silk and wool may be dyed with acid dyes; plastic gloves and ventilation are recommended for safety.

Patterns result from various techniques: twisting a shirt into a spiral, binding concentric sections, folding into a lotus or accordion shape, or crumpling into a random bundle. After applying dyes, fabrics are left to set for several hours or overnight, wrapped in plastic to retain moisture, and then rinsed until the water runs clear. A final wash removes excess dye and sets the color.

Tie-dyeing has roots in many cultures, including bandhani from India, shibori techniques from East Asia, and resist methods in Africa. In the 1960s and 70s, tie-dye gained prominence in Western fashion as a symbol of counterculture, and it remains popular in DIY crafts and fashion today.