Leftover Tie Dye? Work with it!

Summer seems to be the time for tie dye and outdoor activities -- in Florida that also means spontaneous monsoon-like thunderstorms and zillions (yes, zillions) of mosquitoes. So, if you’re stuck indoors with weeks old (or older) tie dye, this post is for you!

As seen in previous posts I love re-purposing and up-cycling, however believe me when I say that I do not go looking for these opportunities. I just go with it when the muse calls and sometimes it works out and others it does not. This was one of those creative opportunities that paid off.

1 First, I happen to find some tie dye left by my students (maybe as far back as April or early May). It had been mixed ages ago (months) and packaging instructions say to discard after a few hours...umm. OK so I couldn't bring myself to pouring it down the drain.

2 Finding some pieces of light color or white absorbent cloth (mine were about 4”x4” bed sheet cloth) I set to purposefully experiment. I folded & wrapped each piece and secured with rubber bands (my attempt at traditional tie dye). Then I got tired of that and simply squeezed multiple pieces into small containers (I had various containers, 1 per color combination) as I added colors. You could also lay the pieces flat and dribble dye on top.

3 After the tie dye was all used up I set everything aside -- at least overnight but you can leave it to set over several days (if you have the patience). However DON’T let the dye DRY on the fabric. Also DO NOT RINSE! (yet)

4 Once the dye has “set” for as long as your patience allows, it’s time to play! When I set to removing the rubber bands I realized that my pieces were still quite saturated with dye and had further potential for creative engagement. 

5 Protecting the work surface and laying out clean sheets of paper I set to take “imprints” of the tie dye pieces. Some were laid out neatly, others were “helped” by patting down to increase contact with paper. If you need to expend energy a variation that also worked was to wadd-up the cloth pieces and with a little force, slam them onto the paper surface. Neat effects ensue.

6 Once you think you’re finished extracting the tie dye from the cloth go ahead and rinse all the pieces in cold water until you’re satisfied. Watching mindfully as the dye re-saturates and sliders down the drain was very satisfying. However, humor me once again and lay these to dry on a prepared surface of plastic + fresh pieces of paper (you know the drill by now). Let them do their thing until completely dry. Once dry, remove from the paper and be amazed again! (I know I was).

I suggest doing this yourself first to experience the potentiality of the creative muse before making adaptations for your creative groups based on your population's needs.

Now I have a stack of abstract tie dye prints for future projects. 

 The creative muse visits often where she is nurtured.