DIY: Making your own tie-dye fabric allows you to use imagination in designing the tying patterns. You can also take pride in wearing it because it is your own unique creation that no one else in the entire world has.
The art of making tie-dye fabrics with natural colors It is not the ordinary folk wisdom, but the wisdom that comes from the Buddhist’s concept. It reflects a way of life that relies on nature, and is self-reliant and does not follow the extravagant trends of society.
Nowadays, the art of tie-dyeing is disappearing from society and was viewed as old fashioned. Modern fashion trends are strong and are easy to buy. Therefore, this activity is ideal for artists who want to preserve and continue this art so that it remains with the community forever.
Here is the list of materials and equipment of making tie-dyed fabrics.
1. Prepare materials for color such as leaves, flowers, branches, or roots.
2. A charcoal stove and firewood to be used to make a fire, and something to boil water in.
3. Cotton size as needed
4. Rubber bands, straw rope to tie the pattern.
5. Flat bamboo sticks, ice cream, rocks or various size objects to be used to press over the cloth to create the desired pattern.
6. Put salt in a pot of water to make the color last longer.
The process of making tie-dyed fabrics.
1. Boil water to a boil in a container that is large enough for the amount of fabric to be dyed.
Add salt to the water to make the color last longer and fresher.
2. Use raw materials to color such as prepared bark or leaves and cut them into small pieces.
Boiling the water will bring out the colors from the raw materials.
3. Wait for the colors to come out into the water. Tie your cloth into the desired pattern.
This can be done in many ways.
4. When the boiling water reaches the desired color, take the bark out.
5. Then add the tied the cloth to the boiling pot, leave it for about 20 – 30 minutes.
6. When you get the color you want take the cloth out of the pot and wash it with cold water.
7. Remove the rubber bands from the fabric. Then twist and let it air dry.
After you wash again and dry, you will see the beautiful tie-dye you want.
The challenge in making beautiful tie-dye is the binding.
If the tie is too tight, the color will not penetrate at all. The result is, you will get a white color of the original fabric, but if the tie is loose or not tight enough it will allow the color to penetrate through the entire piece, and will not produce beautiful patterns.
