Two Easy Parts Of Tie-dying A Comforter
Tie-dying is a process that is mostly associated with T-shirts, but you can also make your bedroom attractively colorful with the help of cotton sheets as well as pillowcases tie-dyed in your favorite color combination. You can vary the designs according to your choice, make spirals on the pillowcases, and watery plaid-like patterns on the sheets. Duvet or comforter cover can also be made by stitching together a tie dyed and a plain sheet across 3 sides, then putting on snaps or buttons and buttonholes across the open fourth side.
Part 1: Preparing And Tying The Fabric
- First of all, go through the dye product instructions carefully in order to check for similarity with your fabric content. The majority of the dyes work exceptionally with white fabric, due to the reason that it is 100 percent cotton. If in case your sheets are a mixture of cotton & polyester, then at that time use a suitable dye. Also, follow the instructions in order to prepare the fabric, which may include any additives needed for the wash water as well as dye solution.
- Now, wash the sheet as per instructions that are given on the dye product. You should wash the sheet mostly with the help of a mild detergent and make sure to avoid using fabric softener. Some of the dyes need to add washing soda to the wash water. Don't dry the material after you wash it.
- After that, lay out the damp sheet on a clean surface, like a clean kitchen floor. Fold and tie the material in order to create a bunch for dying. There are many basic methods to tie the fabric: create a spiral by griping the fabric tightly in the middle of the piece and warping as long as all the fabric is wrapped into a circular shape looking like a pie. Tie the pie-shaped bunch with twine firmly across its diameter using 8 to 10 ties in a spider web configuration. Another method is to grip up cones of the fabric and tie them at the meantime, replicating this design across the fabric. Third method is to fold the fabric in accordion folds and tie at the meantime.
- Finally, tie the fabric bunch using twine, rubber bands or zip ties, and you need to make sure that all are snug and tight.
Part 2: Mixing And Applying The Dye
- Safeguard your working area using a plastic sheet covered by many layers of newspaper. Lay out plastic tubs in order to mix the dye solution. Make sure to use rubber gloves when you are working with a dye.
- Now, blend the dye solution in a plastic tub, as per the instructions given on the dye product. Some of the products need to add salt to the solution, and some command a temperature range. Affordable plastic bins or tubs are perfect for this purpose.
- Put on the dye to the tied, damp sheet. You can saturate the fabric in the solution or put on the dye directly to the specific areas, that is totally dependent on the look you desire. Using the direct application method, fill a clean plastic squeeze bottle with dye solution and then spray the liquid onto the areas that you want to dye, ensuring the solution soaks them well. You can use more than one color if you go with this method. Put on the lightest color first, and then use consecutively darker colors as long as the sheet is completely colored.
- Take out the sheet from the dye bath after the time period that is mentioned on the product label. Squeeze the bunched fabric in order to get rid of the excess dye.
- Position the dyed fabric into a plastic garbage bag in case of a sheet or a gallon zip-top bag for a pillowcase. Secure the bag before letting it to sit at room temperature for nearly 4 to 24 hours so that the dye can cure and penetrate the fibers. Longer the curing times, the better the result in brighter colors. Go through the dye product instructions carefully for specific curing times.
- Take out the fabric from the bag after the completion of the curing time. Cut the ties and undo the bunch. Rinse in cool water as long as the water runs clear. Hang to dry. Go through the dye product label rigorously for washing instructions. The majority of the products recommends washing the dyed fabric individually in cool water for nearly the first few washes.