Tie-dye, long before the 70's, was known as Shibori, a Japanese term that
encompasses a wide variety of resist-dyeing techniques, which have been
utilized by different cultures for over 6000 years. The end results are
random patterns that are either geometric or loose and free flowing and/or
combinations of everything in between.
Now a days, tie-dye describes a pattern of color made by preventing the dye
from reaching some areas of the fabric while dyeing others. Folding, tyeing,
stitching, crumpling or otherwise preparing the fabric inhibits the flow of
the dye to some areas. Usually, most folding, scrunching & twisting is done
starting with the wet shirt flat on a plastic covered table. The pattern of
the folds etc. and where the colors are squirted dictates the resulting
design. With experience, the end result can be predicted and controlled to
some extent, but surprise is part of what makes tie-dye an exciting and
interesting art form - and there will be plenty of surprises.
