About

Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 1h30

Making dye patterns with wooden blocks and clamps?? Sure, I'll try that!!
Itajime Shibori is a traditional Japanese method of folding and clamping fabric to create intricate dye patterns. Well, I gave it a go and cranked out a pair of rockin' cool tights!

Here's my how-to:

Posted by edie d. from New York, New York, United States • Published 28th October 2009 • See edie d.'s 41 projects »

Print • Embed

Tierra T. favorited Itajime Dyed Tights 08 Nov 03:55
Katrina P. favorited Itajime Dyed Tights 02 May 02:44
teaandcraft added Itajime Dyed Tights to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 16 Apr 05:01
jessica.boulanger.10 favorited Itajime Dyed Tights 10 Jul 00:37
Elentine added Itajime Dyed Tights to Bleach and tie dye 08 Feb 01:36
vermilia c. added Itajime Dyed Tights to diy 01 Dec 20:34
Jacqulene C. favorited Itajime Dyed Tights 14 Jul 09:13
Nora E. added Itajime Dyed Tights to Projects to try 05 Apr 02:27
nigrummonten favorited Itajime Dyed Tights 04 Feb 02:26
koalala o. added Itajime Dyed Tights to Derby Life 02 Feb 06:19

Step 1
Starting with some pre-washed nylon tights, fold the legs lengthwise in half. Then fold up the legs in a triangular accordion fashion all the way to the hip. Try to make this as even as possible because this is what's creating your cool pattern.
Step 2
Make 4 wood blocks the same size as triangles in your tights. Find some clamps that will hold very tight and can fit the thickness of the folded tight legs.
Step 3
Carefully, sandwich the folded tight legs between the wood blocks and clamp down.

Soak the clamped tights in warm water for about 10 minutes or so.
Step 4
Mix up your dye! Stir 1/2 package of RIT Royal Blue dye and 1T of RIT liquid Black dye with 1 gallon of very hot 140º water in a large plastic container. If your tap water's not hot enough, just heat some in a tea kettle. Now immerse the entire clamped-up tights contraption in the dye bath for about 10 minutes. Remove the clamps and rinse out the blue dye.

While the tights are still wet, over-dyed the tights with 1/2 package of RIT Fuschia dye, using the same method for a real pop of color. After removing from the dye bath, rinse until water runs clear, wash in mild detergent and hang dry.

And there you have it. Super fun n' easy, right?

Made this project? Share your version »

Comments

edie d. · New York, New York, US · 41 projects 25th August 2010

Actually, I find that nylon dyes easier than cotton. The fabric absorbs the color faster and deeper with a bit less excess dye washing out. There's a lot of inexpensive nylon blend tights, grab some and give it a go.
I think you'll have fun with it.
xo
edie

M4ri · Seattle, Washington, US · 16 projects 25th August 2010

those are so cool!! one question though, i've had bad luck dying cotton with Rit where it washes out, can this happen with nylon or is it made for synthetics?