Mandalas on T's

[hometowntiedye]

   Okay need some suggestions.  I really want some cool Mandalas on T's but the fabric just gets so thick it is super hard to fold.  Anyone out there get good results with Mandalas on T's, and if so will you please share your tricks   Thanks so much for any help.

[Jaja]

Hmm, one trick is to fold only either back or front part. Another could be to do the symmetry on left and right "manually" - e.g. less folds, little bit more work. Also running stitch could help to hold it in place.

[steve]

I would use thinner T-shirts like those you can find at American Apparel (or some knock-off like Alternative Apparel). I think you would have much more luck with those than your standard 6.1 or 5.5 weight shirts

[Releaf]

We do them on 6.1 oz shirts, but only on the fronts.

[steve]

We do them on 6.1 oz shirts, but only on the fronts.

I'd still recommend lighter weight shirts.

[2D4]

Inside out and only one side.....

Jo

[lakaianddie]

How do you fold only the front of the shirt? I have scoured the internet and cannot figure out how to mandala a t-shirt

[tiedyejudy]

I'm not well-versed with folding mandalas on shirts, but I do know it can be done.  You need to fold the shirt in half vertically, with front sides together and back sides together... sleeves are in the middle and you can fold them one into the other to avoid too much bulk.  Then you proceed with a normal mandala fold.  There are instructions in the Tie-Dye Wiki... here's the link: http://tie-dyewiki.com/wikinew/index.php?title=Mandala.  I will confess that I have not had great results on T-shirts, which is unfortunate!  But I have seen examples done by dyers who apparently just keep working at it.  Hope this helps you on your way!
Judy

[lakaianddie]

I am so sorry I must be completely dense but I still cannot get the folds to work, could someone post a tutorial with photos, or video? That would be awesome. Thanks

[deb]

I don't have one handy ATM, but if it helps, I think of the process sort of like folding paper to make snowflakes, only instead of cutting out bits of paper, we're marking off and dyeing bits of the fabric.

To only fold the front of the shirt, fold it in half with the side seams together, so the front of the shirt is on one half and the back is on the other half. Then you can mandala one side of the shirt (or one side one way and the other side another way!).

I use my husband's old undershirts to practice on - lots of fabric, and usually a nice light weight (and broken in too! ) so easier to fold.