How to Dip Dye
Learning how to dip dye is simple. Hang plain white fabric over a bucket of dye and let it soak up into the fabric to make it a work of art.
Dip Dyeing Technique
Dip dyeing is a form of Vat Dyeing, the oldest dyeing method, The difference is you don't submerge the fabric in the dye. You dip it in and let the dye wick up into the fabric. The result is a minimalist one color shaded effect. The French call it Ombre. You can use any kind of dye, but Fiber Reactive dye is best. This is our Royal Blue Dip Dye Long Sleeve Shirt.
Unlike tie dye, you don't need rubber bands and don't need to fold the fabric to control how the dye will flow through it. Unlike ice tie dye you don't need ice to control how the dye will flow to the fabric. The dye flows based on capillary motion or wicking.
The Final Product is the combined effect of the dye concentration and how long you leave the fabric in the dye.
How to Dip Dye
You can find many websites with tutorials on how to dip dye. Most of them are about hair dyeing, but the rules are the same.
Experiment until you get it right. Learn more about hand dyeing anything at Paula Burch's site All About Hand Dyeing It's an older site, but an amazing resource.
Dip Dyeing basics
- Dip Dye is the simplest way to convert fabric into a work of art.
- Hang fabric over a bucket of dye and let it wick up into the fabric.
- Dye flow (capillary motion, wicking) is affected by temperature
- White space (no dye) is okay.
