TieDye Process

Step 2: Soak in soda ash
PUT ON YOUR GLOVES! Mix 1 Tbsp of soda ash with each cup of water - or 1 cup of soda ash to 1 gallon of water.
Because I mix the ash directly in the dye, I skip this step. This may alter the results slightly. The dye spreads and
bleeds more easily when the fabric is prepped and wet. So, if you want more precise color boundaries, just move on to
step 3. On the other hand, dry fabric can resist the dye (and make a mess). So you may want to dampen it slightly
before applying the dye.

Step 3: Mix the dye
After playing around with different intensities, I settled on a general ratio of 1 tsp of dye to 1 cup of water. This is more
diluted than recommended and results in subtler, earthier colors. For vibrant colors, follow the recommended ratio of
4 tsp per cup of water. If you didn't pre-soak the fabric (step 2), you'll need to add soda ash to the dye to activate it.
Mix 1 Tbsp of soda ash to each cup of dye.

Once the dye is activated, you need to use it within 2-4 hours. Dye that's been mixed but not activated can be stored
for a couple days (in a dark cool place) up to a week (in the fridge).

Basic Steps:
1. Tie (or rubberband) your pattern
2. Soak the fabric in soda ash for 20-30 minutes (you can skip this step if you mix the soda ash into
the dye)
3. Mix your dye.
4. Apply the dye. You can dip parts of the fabric, soak the entire thing, or squirt the dye.
5. Let the dye set.
6. Rinse and wash.

Step 4: Apply the dye
This is the fun part!
Dipping - Folding the fabric and dipping edges in the dye can create some fantastic patterns. Try an accordion fold,
and then roll it up. Dip one side in one color and the other in a second color. Stripes!
Soaking - There's nothing tricky here. Just immerse the entire thing in the dye. You can take it out of the dye to set, or
leave it soaking.
Squirt - Ketchup and Mustard bottles are great for applying dye. You'll need these if you want multiple colors or
elaborate designs.

Step 5: Waiting
The dye will be active for at least 4-6 hours. You don't want the fabric to dry out, so wrap it in plastic or keep it in a
container while the dye is setting.

Step 6: Rinse & Wash
Make sure you have your gloves on again! Rinse the fabric in warm water. You can rinse in your sink - Procion dyes are
non toxic and supposedly safe for septic tanks. Try to keep darker colors from running over lighter sections of the
fabric. Although the dye should be inactive by now, staining and discoloring can still happen. I rinse, then let it sit in
water and rinse again. Run through the washer several times using 2-3 Tbsp of Synthrapol. Supposedly you can dump
unrinsed fabric and dye directly into your washer and wash it with Synthrapol without any color bleeding. I've never
had the guts to try that.

Step 7: Show off your Tie-Dye!