Some of my Tie Dyes

[tiedyejudy]

Dude, may I bow to your folding? I can do accordion folds, but most of the time I don't. And when I do try it, it's never that nice.

Very very nice. 

Deb, are you folding the shirt dry or dampened?  I used to have trouble getting good folds, but I was folding dry shirts.  I learned to dampen them first with tap water, then the folds stay put while I'm tying the shirt.

Judy

[deb]

I like tying them dry so I can do it while the kids and I watch TV, but I guess I could dampen and lay down a tablecloth. I usually fold dry and apply dye while they're wet; I like the look I get that way, instead of letting them dry after the soda ash soak.

[mishoga]

WOW, very nice. I can not get the spiral down. I guess I don't use enough dye to saturate.
That is very nice work. Love the darker colors.
I'm good with handpainting with the dyes, not so good with folding. And forget the mandala fold. I've given up on that 

[tiedyejudy]

I can not get the spiral down. I guess I don't use enough dye to saturate.
I'm good with handpainting with the dyes, not so good with folding.

Two things I have found with the spiral: I dampen the shirt and use a fork to twist in the middle to shape the swirl, then band with 3 rubber bands evenly spaced to create a 'pie'.  Each section of the 'pie' gets a different color.  When I apply the dyes, I use the yorker spout to get down into the folds of each section, and slightly overlap the colors.  Then I flip and do the same on the other side.  I use thickened dyes so there isn't too much color bleeding except where I want it.  Then I wrap tightly in plastic wrap for the batch.  The only time I have trouble is if I'm in too much of a hurry and don't get the dye down into the folds.

Judy

[mcraindog]

Thanks!  I usually do my spinning of the spiral or therefore all of my shirts after it comes out of the wash.  I let it sit for a few and then just spin it up with the fork.