Rainbow scrunch

[nemi]

I wondered if anyone could please explain how to go about making a rainbow scrunch?  I saw one - I think it was at tiedyejudy´s page, and it looks faboulous!  I would love to try something like that for my playsilks!

[tiedyejudy]

First off, the Rainbow Scrunch you saw on my website was one of those things where the first effort came out awful!  I held on to it for a long time, then finally last summer decided to try and salvage it by over-dyeing.  I re-scrunched it, soaked in soda ash, then applied new dyes over the originals.  If I remember correctly, there was a lot of white showing after the original dyeing, so there was room for new color, plus some over-dyeing to create additional shades.  It was a total accident, and I don't know that I could begin to recreate it!  But I do like the way it came out.  My suggestion is to let your imagination and creativity guide you.  Some things will be not to your liking, but keep at it, and you will learn a lot!  
I am currently 'fixing' an experiment that didn't come out the way I had hoped.  My solution this time is embellishing with sequins and beads!  There is always another way....

Judy

[nemi]

Thank you, Judy!

I understand that it is difficult to give a precise instruction!  But I am completely new at this, so any hints as to how to apply the color would be great!  Do I soak it in colors, paint them on or should I do something different?

(All the picture tutorials tend to stop when the item that is about to be colored is tied - so I still haven´t figured out how to actually apply the dye for tied items - sorry, a bit slow here, I´m afraid...maybe I could blame it on the language barrier! )

[tiedyejudy]

Sorry, Nemi!  I tend to forget what it was like when I first started to tie-dye.  I had a basic instruction pamphlet from the supplier to get me started, but little else.  I will try to give you some ABC's.  First, I am assuming you have instructions to mix your dyes.  If not, let me know and I will try to point you to some already published materials.  As for the Rainbow Scrunch, once you have scrunched and tied or banded your shirt, you would apply your colors in 'rainbow order'; i.e., Red, Yellow, Blue if you are just using primary colors, or Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, then Purple if you are using the full spectrum.  I mix up my dyes ahead of time, and use squeeze bottles (available at the same place you would buy your dyes, such as Dharma Trading, Pro-Chem, etc).  I usually try to divide my shirt up mentally into six sections, like a pie when you slice it.  In each section, I apply a different color.  Then I flip the shirt over and dye the colors on the back.  With a scrunch, as opposed to a swirl, you will get an irregular design due to the way the fabric 'scrunches' together.  By the way, be sure to get the spout of your squeeze bottle into the little crevices of the folds  when you are applying the dye.  Don't just squeeze dye onto the exposed layer, or you will have a lot of white left.  
After you have finished dyeing both sides of the shirt, wrap it in plastic wrap or a plastic bag and let it sit for about 24 hours.  Then you will remove the plastic, the string or bands you used to tie it, rinse out and wash it using Synthrapol, which is a textile detergent used to stop the dyes from bonding to the fiber any further.  This will prevent 'back-bleeding' of excess dyes.
By the way, I didn't mention before but if you don't already know, you will need to wear old clothes when you are working with the dyes, and always wear latex or rubber gloves, otherwise you will have dyed hands!
This is a long post, so I will let you read and come back with questions on areas I didn't make clear, okay?

Happy dyeing!

Judy

[nemi]

Thank you so much, Judy, that was a great explanation!  Just what I need to get started!       As of now I only had instructions for mixing the dyes, not how to apply them.
(I´m waiting for a book (Color by accident), but it takes forever to reach Norway and I´m afraid patience is not one of my stronger sides )

[tiedyejudy]

That's what I love about this forum... collectively, we have a great wealth of information we share, and we can all benefit from it!  I hope you will post pictures of your shirts when you have had a chance to experiment.  

Have Fun!

Judy

[nemi]

Yes, this forum is definately a great resource! 

And I will post pics - as soon as I come up with something that looks ok!  I dyed yesterday and got the colors all wrong - (got a little confused by thinking in yards, and put too much fabric in the dye.  What I hoped to be bright greens turned out pastel.... )

[mysticmountainsmama]

Hi, I do rianbow scrunch shirts, or just 3-5 mixing colours in sequence, just by doing the same colours on both sides but I think I'll try one with the contrasting colours on each side like red down to purple and purple down to red on the other side, some people just love the contrst ones, they are super bright!

[Jaja]

Hallo Nemi,
I had book Color by accident at home already - it is rather for quilters I guess. I was also waiting for a long time to get it to Europe (a month or so).

[ktaltre]

hi Jaja,
The "Color by Accident" book is a good manual for tie dyers. When I got my copy some years ago I immediately started in on shirts (not to mention cloth) using the authors techniques. The author also has another excellent book "Color by Design". These two books are packed with dye application information.
k. taltre

[Jaja]

I'd like to see some shirt done according to the book, then. (Do you tear them apart and then sew it back?)