Wrong shirts for tie dye

Discussion in 'Fiber Arts' started by tculi, Feb 26, 2007.

  1. tculi

    tculi Senior Member

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    i have some procion dyes from the Dharma trading company. i went out to buy some white shirts and i forgot to check if they were 100% cotton. the shirts are 60% cotton and 40% polyester. Do you think these shirts would still dye ok?
     
  2. beatlerific

    beatlerific not like other girls

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    hmm i don't know actually. they probably won't work as good.. as in the dye won't hold to the fabric as well. if i were you, i wouldn't waste the dye. i would buy some more shirts that are 100% cotton! good luck buddy! post some pics when you are done!
     
  3. drumminmama

    drumminmama Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    the cotton will hold, and usually up to 50-50 looks like a) a white sheen over the dye or b) pastel-esque.
    So if you want eyepopping bright, return them and get all cotton (or hemp, or rayon)
     
  4. beatlerific

    beatlerific not like other girls

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    well, yeah that's what i was sayin.. it will hold but it will look really pale...
     
  5. tculi

    tculi Senior Member

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    yea i went ahead and made them anyways. it still worked really well and they turned out pretty sweet.
    ill put some pictures up here
     
  6. cerridwen

    cerridwen in stitches

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    natural fibers always work best, for any sort of dying. Articles like nylon or polyester tend to barely ~ or rather, inconsistantly ~ hold dye....
     
  7. CaptainDave

    CaptainDave Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    It may sound silly, but whacking garments with a meat tenderiser thing helps a little when working with uncooperative materials.

    Nothing great, but it helps a bit.










    It's fun too :)
     
  8. drumminmama

    drumminmama Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    riiight. and it is soooo good for the fibers which will be stressed by dyeing as it is.
     
  9. gypsy_queen79

    gypsy_queen79 Member

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    My first shirts were with 50/50. They just look pastel. Now, I also did a pillowcase once (it was stained in a spot) and the black turned out kind of periwinkle and the red was baby girl pink, so be ready for some changes with a few colors.
     
  10. drumminmama

    drumminmama Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    this blend issue is why I wear my tiedyed socks inside out. The cotton loops are inside, and they hold the dye.
     

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