Casa Mai - Tie Dye the Soda Soak Method

( A.K.A.- the "Squirt Shirt" Method )

A simple precise method to attain bright, clear colors and patterns.

Supplies for tieing: Garment -- natural fiber, pre-washed to remove sizing.
Dental floss, some rubber bands, PVC pipe if doing Shibori.

1. Fold and tie garment.

Supplies for Dyeing: Procion MX dyes, Soda Ash, Urea, Plastic wrap, paper towels, rubber gloves, plastic cups, plastic buckets, plastic spoons for stirring, measuring spoons (dedicated to dye, do not use for food after), squirt bottles.

2.Make up Soda Ash solution: 1 cup Soda Ash per gallon of water, be sure Soda Ash is thoroughly dissolved. Soak tied garment in solution for twenty minutes stirring occasionally.

3. Meanwhile make up dye solutions. For 8 oz. of dye, dissolve 1 tsp. of Urea in 2 oz. of very warm water in a plastic cup, then 4 tsp. of non-iodized salt. Add 2 oz. more water if needed. Add dye powder (amount varies with color, most 2 tsp.) mix thoroughly, add 4 oz. more water. Pour solution into squirt bottles.

4. Lay down a length of plastic wrap longer and wider than your tied garment. Layer with folded paper towel to absorb dye run-off.

5. Remove garment from Soda Ash solution, squeeze as much extra fluid out as you can. Remember to wear gloves; Soda Ash is very irritating to the skin. Place on paper towels.

6. Apply dye to garment, use your fingers and the bottle tip to seperate the folds and get dye deep into them. Keep tip of bottle in contact with cloth so dye doesn't shoot everywhere. If the tip clogs, don't just squeeze harder, use a toothpick to remove the clog (usually undissolved dye) then continue. Forcing it will just send dye everywhere.

7. After all dye is applied, lift up garment, remove paper towels, wipe plastic with clean towel and replace garment. Wrap plastic around fabric, use more plastic, plastic bags and even masking tape to secure. Leave wrapped for 8 to 24 hours.

Supplies for rinsing: Two buckets, rubber gloves, lots of water, Synthrapol.

8. While fabric is still tied, rinse out excess dye either by dunking from one bucket to the other (dumping and refilling in between), under running water, or a combination of both methods. Rinse until water runs clear (hah!). You may untie the garment half-way through if you like, this will enable you to rinse out more dye from the folds (and see your design).

9. When you've gotten out as much dye as you can, transfer to the washing machine. Use Synthrapol to wash as it helps keep the loosened dye particles from settling back on the fabric and contaminating lighter areas.

Now for some folding ideas...