Anyone tie dye fabrics?
Friday, June 3, 2011 at 12:11PM One of my local customers is bringing me a Tshirt quilt to quilt. She hadn’t decided on a backing fabric yet, and I suggested she tie dye some muslin as I think it would be the perfect backer for a Tshirt quilt. She liked the idea, and is going to give it a whirl.
It was on my mind because I’ve been thinking of doing just that for the wild blue and green crazy log cabin quilt I’m working on. I think tie dyed backs would be totally cool on some quilts!
So my question is… anyone with any experience? I’m not going to step off the abyss into dying my own fabric… something I would love to do but have neither the time nor the space for another obsession. Tie dying a quilt back now and then though, perfectly doable!
Brands of dyes to avoid, brands that are great… tools of the trade… kits available even? I’m about to go research this, but I’ve never seen a tie dyed backer on a quilt yet. I can’t wait to see my customer’s!
I pieced one of the tulip blocks for my quilt this morning. It took over an hour. Maybe this border wasn’t such a good idea?
;)
Jim made it from Pittsburgh to Memphis this morning, where his flight was delayed for six hours! He decided to rent a car and drive from Memphis to Little Rock instead, that’s only a two hour or so drive, then another hour to home after he picks up his car from the airport. I guess I’ll see him tonight instead of this afternoon!
Reader Comments (11)
I don't know what kind of dyes are available in the USA but I use MX Procion Dyes for cotton. I learnt to do this with Marjie McWilliams at Quilt University and had a ball. I have done tye die and shibori and also managed, to my amazement, to actually do fat quarters of self coloured fabric the colours of the colour wheel. I love dyeing but I only have a short window whilst the temperatures are correct and above 60 degrees celcius. But I would have thought most commercial dyes for cotton available over the counter would be fine.
I have tie dyed using string by just scrunching fabric. I have also gone into my partners nail and screw stash and wrapped fabric around a long screw and put string or bands along the nail to create circular patterns. You can use long bits of wood and wrap the fabric around and wrap string tightly around at intervals to give a pleasant striped pattern. Also if you are careful with the colours you choose, lighter first you can dye more than once. you can even fold the cloth and dip the fabric at different angles, allowing the colours to run and create lovely designs. I can guarantee once you start dyeing you won't want to stop LOL.
Maureen in Jersey, UK
Melody Johnson dies all of her fabrics. She uses the special fabric for dyeing....but on her dyeing blog, if you scroll down you will find instructions for using Kona and Muslin.
http://lazydyer.blogspot.com/
This is not tie dyeing but you may get something out of this.
An hour for one corner....sounds about right if I was doing it..or maybe two!
you can change your mind on the border---just make a sashing border for the tulip and turn it into a coordinated pillow, while you re-do and make another border!
CJ, When I first saw this quilt I thought that the border looked like a lot of work. Also it kind of distracts from the beautiful star. Maybe use that border on a simpler quilt design. Diane in CT
I don't know if you have ever seen Vicki Welsh's site. She dies her own fabric and also does tie dye type of stuff. Kind of pricey but beautiful. I use to do t-shirts years ago but haven't in a long time. Glad Jim is making it home safe and early.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
You can get all the supplies you need including wide fabric for backing that is PFD (prepared for dyeing) at Dharma Trading. It can be addictive -- especially when you get into color gradation
http://www.dharmatrading.com/tie-dye/beginners.html
I do like it -- but you're right, it's a bit of work ;D I've got to spend some time in EQ and do some work LOL
CJ, I have no idea on dying fabric, but just a question on the quilting on T-Shirt fabric. Will you do an overall design and what type of needle will you use. I am just finishing up one for my niece and will need to quilt it.
Just curious!
Kathy Alden
Our guild had a wonderful day today dyeing fabric. We had a great teacher and I think several of us will be doing more fabric dyeing.
I LOVE the tulip border! I think it makes the quilt! Keep going, I think you will be glad that you did!
Can't help you with the dyeing....sorry. I think the border will go quickly now that you finished one. It will be worth it as that border really adds to the star. Where are you that you are canning beans already?! We are in Maine for the summer and my lettuce and spinach are barely out of the ground. It's been so cold here that they just aren't growing and they are cold weather crops! Sheesh! I'm moving wheere you are. One of the things I miss as a full time RVer is my garden and my preserving. In a few years... right now we are still enjoying the traveling.