Tie- dye FYI

Tie-dye is a fun thing to make and wear, and although it seems modern, did you know people have been tie-dyeing for centuries?

Ancient Asia

Tie-dye processes go all the way back to

6th century China and Japan, when people used berries and flowers to get dye for coloring. People would boil the items and dip their clothing into the hot water. People in India would use thread to make patterns on their fabric before they dyed it, which is pretty much how people do it today.

American tie-dye

Tie-dye has been around in the United States since the 1920s and was popular during the Great Depression of the 1930s because it was inexpensive. It went out of fashion in the 1940s and 50s in favor of a more formal style, but in the 1960s, many people wanted to show that they were different and creative, and tie-dye came back. These days, it comes and goes as a fashion trend, but it will probably never really go away because it’s fun to do and looks good!

How to tie-dye

There are a lot of different ways to tie-dye, but here are the basics. You get a piece of fabric like a shirt or a bandana and wash it. You tie off small pieces of fabric with rubber bands or string. You can do a pattern like concentric circles or just get wild and creative. Then, apply your dye. (There are special dyes you can get just for this.) Follow the directions on the dye about how to apply and how long to leave it on. After the item is washed, you can wear it!