Tying it all up

[steve]

Let talk about keeping our folds intact. What are your preferences? Rubber Bands, Cotton String, Artificial Sinew? Why?

[Kathy]

I use both cotton string(Lions Brand...huge spool from Joanns) and rubber bands.

Since I primarily dye on silk I use those little hair rubber bands for smaller folds, where the string would be too bulky. For wider/thicker folds or ones that need a stronger hold I use the string.

Kathy

[sal_beli]

Let talk about keeping our folds intact. What are your preferences? Rubber Bands, Cotton String, Artificial Sinew? Why?

I mostly use rubber bands, but I've used string as well.  I'm just not very good and tying knots, so rubber bands tend to work better for me.

[steve]

I almost exclusively use cotton twine now. I use rubber bands for kids when I am teaching classes though. Sinew is cool sometimes, but I just prefer twine in general.

As far as knots go, there are some cool little tricks that I am not sure I can explain clearly.

When tying the first knot as I begin binding, I make sure I make the knot on one of the narrow sides of the bound material rather than the top. A simple knot to cinch it up nice and tight, then make  another knot over it resulting in a double knot.

In the end I thread a loop under the last last binding of the string the cut the string going to the spool. I press my finger on the junction of the loop and the binding and pull it nice and tight by the loop and the cut end of string. Finally, tie the end up with the loop--again forming a double knot.

Maybe I can make a little video clip using my digital camera and post it.

Of course, you could also buy Michael's DVD. One of things I got from the DVD that is seldom mentioned is how to handle the string in general.

Steve[/b]

[LiveFreeorDye]

Steve your knot descriptions are quite clear. I plan to try your method of ending the string.

Since Michaels' DVD I have also gone over to cotton twine, although I also use rubber bands, esp. with kids, as you mentioned. When I start my twine, I typically make a slip knot, put it around the piece, tighten it up, and go.

When I do stitching, I tend to use black polyester button thread. (The black makes it easier to see or cutting) I have also used the button thread for general tying on smaller items like bandannas or baby clothes.

take it easy
Sue

[Dancing Barefoot]

Believe it or not, Longs Drugs makes the strongest I have found, look for it in 500 feet rolls (and on sale). I use each piece (at least) twice, once for use as a resist line for my mandala tapestries, then after I carefully untie and rinse my mandalas, I save the floss for tying most of the rest of my accordion folds. For accordian holds, I make a slip and pulley knot so that I can get leverage for areas I want an exta tight color dam.

I never use knots anywhere on my mandalas, I just pull it tight at the end and use a wax pencil to meld it with the rest of the resist wrap. This also makes it easier to find the end when untying

[tiedyejudy]

I used rubber bands for the first 8 or so years, but switched to string when I got Michaels DVD and tried his tying techniques.  I do still use rubber bands on swirls, however.  As for sinew, I tried artificial sinew last summer, and did not like the fact that it shredded on me.  I have never tried floss, but I am intrigued!  May try that next.  
P.S.   Still can't participate in polls.... is it something I said?

Judy

[steve]

I have a wiki page on bindings listing the different tie-up options mentioned here. Anyone care to discuss the advantages or disadvantages of any or all of these materials in your experience? Here or in the Wiki? (Honest, the wiki won't bite!)

[Kathy]

 As for sinew, I tried artificial sinew last summer, and did not like the fact that it shredded on me.  I have never tried floss, but I am intrigued!  May try that next.  

AFter watching tom and Martine's video last year I decided to give artificial sinew a try. I disliked it for two reasons...First, I got a lot of slippage when tying the knots. Second, I didn't like the feel of the residue on my hands.

I have used floss before but for binding/shaping heads of soft bodied dolls. It was strong and made nice tight precise lines. Just haven't found it in quantity at a good price.

Kathy

[ecilA]

have used a variety yeesh from the days of waxing my own hemp to tie with to now...I use mostly rubber bands and sinew. Voted sinew but with the variety in types of tie-dye that we do it has to be a combo.

[kberii]

Okay Newbie here with a silly question.  When refering to floss, it is the waxed kind, right?  I used what I had on hand after I ran out of twin, so there was a nice minty aroma as I worked, and I had no trouble tying the knots but they wound not stay.  How do you over come that?
I liked workong with the floss bc it was thin and I felt I could get a tight knot and do that at the beginning and then at the end.  Was that right?

[Dancing Barefoot]

I use a heavier type of floss, called dentotape. Not Reach brand, because it is too slippery, and not very strong. I use Longs drugs generic brand, but perhaps a dental supply would have it. 
When tying, I start with a slipknot, which I secure by tying three knots, and put that around the whole piece, then tighten it, pulling in the opposite direction so it tightens securely, and then wrapping around tightly for the rest of the tying process. When I'm done tying I tie a simple knot at the end and secure it to another section of the tied string. That way, when I'm rinsing it I can pull the knot open easily and unroll the item underwater, pulling the string, rinsing it clean under cool water, and spooling it on my fingers to easily save it for another day.

[mattlikesjazzisdead]

dental floss!!!

[zeppenwolf]

When tying, I start with a slipknot, which I secure by tying three knots, and put that around the whole piece, then tighten it, pulling in the opposite direction so it tightens securely,

I also use dental floss.  For the initial slipknot, we can use any knot which results in a fixed loop on one end, then just push the remainder of the line through the loop, to make the slip.  I use the Bowline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowline

The Wiki article says that this knot has the deficiency that it "tends to work loose", but trust me-- it will work just fine and be very secure with dental floss bearing a tie-dye load; just pull it tight once.

[Releaf]

My daughter and I work as a team and she's the one who does most of the tying (I do the dyeing), but we always use artificial sinew.  It's what our mentor used and it works beautifully for us.  There are no rubber bands to cut and no knots to tie -- you just pull it really tight and it stays.  Of course, it does make a difference which sinew you use.  We tried a few different types and brands before we found the one we like best.  It's 40# test and it comes from Consolidated Thread Mills, Inc.  There is a finer sinew available at Michael's (much less sinew for much more money) that my daughter likes to use for certain more delicate designs.