Q&A for How to Make Simple Tie Dye

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  • Question
    How long should my shirt be in the bucket when tie dying?
    Community Answer
    It depends. If you keep it in for a long time, it will come out dark. If you keep it for a short time, it will be light. For light, leave it 30 seconds to a minute. For dark, leave it two to fuoor minutes.
  • Question
    Does it really matter if my hands get dyed?
    Community Answer
    Not really. The chemicals will not damage your skin, just wash your hands with soap and water a few times to get the dye out.
  • Question
    What are the materials?
    Community Answer
    T-shirts or what you want to tie dye, fabric dye, water, squeeze bottles or buckets, rubber bands, and gloves.
  • Question
    How can I dye using three different colors?
    Community Answer
    You can dye with three different colors by dipping in different parts of the fabric into the colors you choose, creating patterns and variations.
  • Question
    How long does the dye stain for?
    Community Answer
    If you're referring to your hands, if you wash them a few times with some decent soap and a sponge, it will be gone within a few washes. If you're referring to the shirt, wash it on cold in your washer, and it will keep its color until the shirt is worn out.
  • Question
    What chemicals are needed?
    Community Answer
    Other than the dye, soda ash is suggested, but not necessary. It will make the tie dye more vivid and bright.
  • Question
    When making simple tie dye, how do I prevent the colors from running when they touch?
    Community Answer
    Bundling the shirt when dying it will prevent the colors from running. Use rubber bands to separate colors and apply the dye carefully so there is little to no overlap.
  • Question
    Where can I find tie dye?
    Community Answer
    Store like Walmart and Target carry tie dye in their craft aisles. Craft stores like Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts, AC Moore and Michael's will have more dye options though.
  • Question
    I want to add rubber bands after each color for multi-color. Do I need to rinse before each dip, or go from one color to the next?
    Community Answer
    Dying directly from one color to the next is the most common way. If you rinse before each dip, the colors from the parts you already dyed will spread to the parts you want to dye with a different color.
  • Question
    What is the use of paraffin wax when dying fabrics?
    Community Answer
    It's used to mask out areas you don't want dyed, like letters for names, flower patterns, and any other design of you choosing.
  • Question
    What kind of dye is required for heavy cotton fabric?
    Community Answer
    Regular fabric dye is fine, you may just have to leave the fabric in the dye for longer to achieve the color you want.
  • Question
    Does the dye last and if so, for how long?
    Community Answer
    Once the dye has been activated by mixing with water, it will last up to 72 hours, so it is generally recommended that you use the dye within that time frame.
  • Question
    Does the tie dye need to be hot?
    Community Answer
    Cold water tie dye has a big benefit because there is no hot water needed, meaning you can do this craft just about anywhere.
  • Question
    Does it matter if the rubber bands are tied tight or not when making a simple tie dye?
    Venkat Eshwaran
    Community Answer
    Yes, they have to be tight or else the color will enter below them. When the rubber band is fastened tight, the fabric below it retains its original color.
  • Question
    How do I dye tie dye different colors?
    Community Answer
    You can dip different parts of the fabric in to different colors to make it "rainbow" but don't dip the same part twice, as it will mix the colors.
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