In starting to experiment with this work, it is a good plan to take some soft cord, dip it first in any convenient wax, such as paraffin, and cool it, then take a few old pieces of soft cotton cloth and try arranging the folding and wrapping to find by actual experience how to make different shapes. To produce a “tied” square fold a piece of cloth on what is intended to be the two diagonals of the square. Fold on the first diagonal and then on the second, and then holding one end of the cord with the thumb of the left hand begin at the tip and wrap backward to the desired depth.
To make a circle, pick up a point of cloth and crease away from the point as evenly as possible. A shot or marble tied in the center will give a colored center with a light ring or border—square or round, as desired. If the cord is waxed, a single twist at the bottom of the tied spot will hold it firmly. One layer of waxed cord wrapping smoothly done will protect the cloth below perfectly.
In working with semi-transparent material the design can be first blocked in with charcoal on paper. Distances from edges, centers, etc., should be carefully measured with a ruler, tape line, or yard stick. The size of the spots to be protected should be planned carefully, then, laying the cloth over the plan, with either blue tailor’s chalk or charcoal, mark the centers of squares and circles and lines for oblongs. With heavier material, after the piece has been planned on paper, draw the foundation lines that give the spacing directly on the cloth as before explained.
The necessary equipment includes jars for the dye, enamel pans, preferably, as acid corrodes metal pans in time, plenty of string, a cake of paraffin wax, and marbles, shot, etc.
The list of articles for which Tie-Dyeing is a suitable decoration is long: Pillow tops, scarfs, bags, table and bureau covers, curtains, bed-spreads, blouses, lamp shades, middy ties, collars, aprons, etc.
A charming lamp shade can be made of a square piece of cotton crepe dyed gold first without tying, then tied to give a suitable group of orange brown spots and borders.
Tied and dyed work in diagonal stripes
