Itajime Dyed Tights

Making dye patterns with wooden blocks and clamps?? Sure, I'll try that!!

Posted by edie d.

About

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:

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You Will Need (10 things)

  • Rubber Gloves
  • Rit Dye
  • Nylon Nylon Tights
  • Large Plastic Container(s)
  • Wood Blocks
  • Clamps
  • Table Cloth
  • 1 Table Cloth
  • Plastic Table Covering Covering
  • Rubber Gloves

Steps (4 steps, 90 minutes)

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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?