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[HelenaBouquet]

Hi Friends,

I am getting ready to do some tie dying, haven't been at it for almost two years...time flies!

This morning, i am getting myself together, refreshing my memory on the tiedye directions.  I just tried to make up thickener SH 51/2 TBS to a cup of water, but i didnt add it slowly so its just a mass right now, which im not sure what to do with.  It's entirely new to me.

I thought i might try adding the fixative to the dye this time, but i need locate an outline for that approach and refresh my memory as to it's benefits.

Ive tried doing the mandala tie to t shirts but it's pretty near impossible it seems to attain the detail since the fabric just gets too thick in folding.

Got some t shirts with a little lycra in them...they say to wash cold so now im starting to worry about getting the dye out of them without using hot water.  

I have 1/2 gal. of Synthrapol, havent been able to afford using it as much as recommended so im wondering about that bit, how necessary it is, if you say were to wash the shirt 3 times in hot water, after several hand rinsings, that's what i have done before...hopefully its ok.

So here i am, dying to dye:) waving hello

Helena

[steve]

Hi Friends,

I am getting ready to do some tie dying, haven't been at it for almost two years...time flies!

This morning, i am getting myself together, refreshing my memory on the tiedye directions.  I just tried to make up thickener SH 51/2 TBS to a cup of water, but i didnt add it slowly so its just a mass right now, which im not sure what to do with.  It's entirely new to me.

I thought i might try adding the fixative to the dye this time, but i need locate an outline for that approach and refresh my memory as to it's benefits.

Ive tried doing the mandala tie to t shirts but it's pretty near impossible it seems to attain the detail since the fabric just gets too thick in folding.

Got some t shirts with a little lycra in them...they say to wash cold so now im starting to worry about getting the dye out of them without using hot water.  

I have 1/2 gal. of Synthrapol, havent been able to afford using it as much as recommended so im wondering about that bit, how necessary it is, if you say were to wash the shirt 3 times in hot water, after several hand rinsings, that's what i have done before...hopefully its ok.

So here i am, dying to dye:) waving hello

Helena

Helena--

Thanks for stopping in! Glad you're back to tie-dyeing. It's been awhile for me too. I hope it is finally going to be warm enough this weekend!

As far as the lumpy thichener, time seems to take care of that. To prevent that I have been making a slurry of the alginate with some isopropyl alcohol.

The Tie-dye 202 and/or 303 by Tom and Martine addresses making mandala's on tee-shirts. You might want to check it out. The achieve Mandalas (somewhat different in nature from Michael's) using 1/2 the folds.

For activated dyes, I believe Mike used 1/2 tsp of soda ash per cup.

Steve

[HelenaBouquet]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for your tips.  I looked in to Tom and Martine's at amazon and was only able to find a vhs of 101, i think, anyway.  I will keep an eye out though.

Well, i just did a batch of practice, i call it, to help me get back in the groove.  It's in the oven with a pilot light so we;ll see...  I havent gotten to the thickener yet, thanks too for that info.

Im trying to see Ratdog in NH, bob weir's band...i know-- not all tie dyers are deadheads... anyway, i did have a hope of maybe getting some gas money back, plus it's all just fun anyway...  

prob wont be tie dying too much longer, its hard!

looking forward to see what happens tomorrow afternoon with the dyes.

Thanks again, Steve

Helena

[pburch]

I looked in to Tom and Martine's at amazon and was only able to find a vhs of 101

'Tie Dye 303: Mandalas, Suns and Lotus Blossoms' is the second volume of the two-volume 'Advanced Tie Dye Techniques: Making Shapes and Mandalas', and it is the third volume of the 'Learn How to Tie Dye' complete three-volume set. If you need the VHS format or an international format DVD, you can order directly from TrueTieDye.

prob wont be tie dying too much longer, its hard!

If tie-dye is too hard right now, try low water immersion dyeing. It uses the same dyes, fabrics, and soda ash, but it's extremely easy and doesn't require much physical stamina.

Paula

[HelenaBouquet]

Paula,

Thanks for finding that dvd or vhs, i appreciate it.  I would like to have it but the results from that last attempt were quite poor and discouraging, maybe i will find it 'used' at some point and can try again.

I still havent finished using the dye i made up, hopefully results will be better this time.  It isn't exactly the physical stamina that gets me it's the feeling like im working blind or in near total darkness as i apply the dye, i just have zero mastery over what i'm doing.

I also appreciate your suggestion for salsa dyeing, that is a good way to end up should i get too frustrated...i wont be wasting anything and will still have good results.

I also can't thank you enough for your website and vast knowledge you make available, it's very helpful, informative and generous.  
I can see why tie dyers dont want to make the knowledge easy to get to, but it seems that even with it all laid out in description--success requires a lot of experience.  Your website has helped cut out a lot waste and that's a good thing for the Earth and everybody-so thanks again!

Helena