TIE DYE one of the world’s OLDEST , CHEAPEST, CREATIVE & SIMPLE clothing hacks!

ZenMum
Mar 13, 2018
2 min read

Current global trends of consumption, fast fashion and industrial production have minimized the use of traditional tie dye techniques and products, that many fear will disappear (Vanstan 1961). Tie Dye is a genuinely great clothing hack, that can be traced to ancient China, India, Indonesia, Philippians, Russia & Africa and with your help will continue to provide people with cheap, creative & simple clothing hacks forever (Polakof 1971).

Fascinatingly, traditional tie dye has been explained as an ‘transfer of emotion’, a type of spiritual process that attaches to the print (Chanoknart 2015). Also, traditional African culture used tie dye as a way of experiencing art in everyday living (Polakof 1971). We too can embrace these beautiful traditions before they are lost to time while creating a unique & cheap wardrobe collection for the family.

Natural dies are undoubtedly better for you, the environment, and create more beautiful garments over time, as the colours fade and transfer they become more vibrant, unlike synthetic dies (Chanoknart 2015 & Polakof 1971). Natural traditional tie dye products such as basil, redwood bark, red cabbage and mango peels can be boiled and then left to soak with fabric for a beautiful alternative to synthetic dies.

If you have a concern over the use of synthetic dues but would like to use them; I have provided a few safety links below, that can help you make the right choice for you and your family. I highly recommended the use of synthetic dies for convince and colour diversity.

My favourite stain remover, will always be tie dye! I have lost count of how many stained shirts I have tie dyed for my daughter and she is only 13 months! I love that I can freshen up and old shirt and make it new or save a beautiful item from the bin with a creative splash of colours! It also doubles as a unique and meaningful gift, provided you get the favourite colours right. 😊

AFTER

Tie Dye is perfect for everyone one you do not have to be good at art, or even have a creative bone in your body. Patterns turn out well with uneven patterns or the unexpected splash of colour in the wrong direction. So relax, have some fun with this creative traditional clothing hack.

BEFORE

SİMPLE STEPS;

1- Twist Fabric and Tie;

2- Apply Colours & Leave To Soak;

3- Wash & Enjoy

Check out ZENMUM Gallery for more TIE DYE images!

Have fun with this cheap, creative, simple clothing Hack & thanks for reading! If you would like to request a specific blog or would like to comment, please do not hesitate in contacting me. 😊 All thoughts, inquires and employment opportunities are welcome.

As promised, here is some safety links and references if you feel like some further reading;

SAFTEY;

http://www.clubink.ca/blog/dye-sublimation/fabric-dyes-safe-skin/

SYNTHETIC TIE DYE FAQ;

http://www.dylon.co.uk/en/home/all-about-dylon/faq.html

SAFETY SUPPLIES ONLINE;

https://www.dharmatrading.com/techniques/tiedye/tie-dye-safety-gear.html?lnav=techniques_tiedye.html

REFERENCES;

Chanoknart,M 2015, ‘The art of designing, fabric pattern by tie-dyeing with natural dyes’, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, Viewed 3 March 2018, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042815040914

Vanstan, I 1961, ‘Ancient Peruvian Textile Arts: Patchwork and Tie-dye from Pachacamac’, Ina Expedition; Summer 1961; 3, 4; Periodicals Archive Online pg. 34, Viewed 3 March 2018, https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/docview/1311769249?accountid=36155

Polakof,C 1971, ‘The Art of Tie and Dye in Africa’, African Arts, Vol. 4, No. 3 (Spring, 1971), pp. 28-33+80, Viewed 3 March 2018, www.jstor.org/stable/3334426