The term tie-dye takes me back to my tween years at summer camp. Like most kids, I loved twisting up old T-shirts and dipping them in buckets of bright fabric dye. It was hours of messy fun that resulted in keepsakes I could wear all year long. But, like most adults, I haven’t touched anything tie-dyed in decades. That is, until now.
Enter shibori, tie-dye’s modern, and more mature, cousin. I love the deep indigo hue in which shibori is typically done – and couldn’t resist the idea of revisiting my childhood tie-dyeing experiences.
A big cotton throw seemed like an item that would see me through the final weeks of summer, since it has so many uses at this time of year.
Wrap it around your swimsuit as an oversized cover-up at the beach, spread it out on the grass at the park for a picnic or stretch it out on the cottage dock .
What you'll need
- Twin-size top sheet in 100 per cent cotton (a polyester blend won’t hold the colour as well)
- Iron
- Two plastic containers (at least 15 inches wide)
- Pants hanger
- 4 cups hot water
- 1/2 cup salt
- Whisk
- 1 bottle Rit liquid dye in aquamarine
- 1 bottle Rit liquid dye in royal blue
- Clothesline or hook
Step 1. Wash and dry the sheet to remove any residues left over from the manufacturing process. This will ensure maximum dye absorption.
Fold the sheet in half length-wise, then in half again. Iron the folds to create a crisp crease. (This will help to make those lovely dark lines, when dipped in the dye.) Next, fold it in thirds, ironing each section as you go. Clip one of the long sides to the pants hanger.
Step 2. Mix the dye bath by pouring four cups of hot water into one of the containers. Add ½ cup of salt and whisk until completely dissolved. (The salt will help the dye set to the fabric.) Carefully pour in the bottles of dye and stir gently with the whisk to combine.
Step 3. Fill the other container with lukewarm tap water. Dip the fabric in the water, allowing it to become saturated. Set the water aside. Next, slowly dip the wet fabric into the dye bath, being careful to avoid splashes. Gently push it in down until you’re left with just a third to a half of the fabric still white.
Keep in mind that the dye will creep up the fabric slightly as it dries.
Lift the fabric straight out of the dye, holding it over the bucket for a few moments, until it stops dripping.
Step 4. Hang up the throw somewhere outside to dry. Allow the throw to dry completely. Rinse thoroughly in cold water, then run through the dryer to help the dye set completely.
Step 5. Drape your shibori throw over a lounge chair as you soak up some rays dockside, or in your own backyard.