"How did they do that?"

[LiveFreeorDye]

I have avoided sewing because I have gotten holes in my jersey knits that way. Any advice on avoiding that

One suggestion is to use the smallest guage needle that your thread will fit through. I haven't had problems with holes, myself. Anyone else?

I have an additional suggestion for jenerations. (sorry I didn't reply sooner, I had one of those crazy busy spells)

Now lets see if I can describe this. Instead of just basting along the line, try pinching the fabric and basting side to side along the pinched ridge. Leave a white ridge, oh maybe 3/8" to 1/2" tall that will remain undyed. Then pull it tight. I probably wouldn't do any additonal tying or rubber banding at this point myself, but I would thicken the dye.

take it easy
Sue

[Jaja]

I wonder how John had achieved this effect. Is it big or small piece? Shirt?

[ecilA]

hey Jaja, that piece was made an awful long time ago.  I think that I actually made it (though John might disagree, but I am pretty sure that I did).  As I recall it was a t-shirt, not a tap and at the time just an experiment with technique.  I'm pretty sure that it was a dry shirt that was folded somewhat randomly, kind of a fold-roll-tuck-roll-fold in more fabric-roll method.  The shirt was then tied with artifiial sinew in bands and then dyed.

[fiberartist219]

To avoid putting holes in your jersey or other knits, use a "ballpoint" needle. The sharper needles stick on the threads. Rather than going through the thread, you'll go in between threads. It works nicer for stretchy materials.