environmental science and technology-tie dye

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-TIE DYE
TIE DYE SCIENCES AND TERRIFIC T-SHIRTS
Experiment Objective:
Students will learn to turn a recycled/old white t-shirt and other garments (scarves, blouses,
skirts, shorts, pants etc.) into a fabulous, creative new t-shirt with tie dye sciences and
technology. This activity combines chemistry and art to create custom-made t-shirts.
Learning Goals:
Students will be folding and pleating their recycled (preferably white) t-shirts into different
patterns with string tying. Students will learn the simple concepts of tie dye process and the
chemical reactions involved, such as solubility, colour mixing and the movement of
molecules through solvent.
LESSON IMPLEMENTATION OUTLINE
Introduction:
Tie dye is a technique for dying natural fabrics that results
in interesting, colorful patterns. The technique involves
crumpling, pleating or folding the fabric into various
patterns, then tying it with string, hence the name. The tied
fabric is dipped into vats of dye, then wrung out and rinsed.
Tied areas accept dye unevenly amidst the folds, creating
varied patterns in the finished product.
Content background:
The earliest surviving examples of pre-Columbian tie-dye in Peru date from A.D. 500-800.
Their designs include small circles and lines, with bright colors including red, yellow, blue,
and green.
Shibori includes a form of tie-dye that originated in Japan. It has been practiced there since at
least the eighth century. Shibori includes a number of labor-intensive resist techniques
including stitching elaborate patterns and tightly gathering the stitching before dyeing,
forming intricate designs for kimonos. Another shibori method is to wrap the fabric around a
core of rope, wood or other material, and bind it tightly with string or thread. The areas of the
fabric that are against the core or under the binding would remain undyed.
Tie-dye techniques have also been used for centuries in the Hausa region of West Africa,
with renowned indigo dye pits located in and around Kano, Nigeria. The tie-dyed clothing is
then richly embroidered in traditional patterns. It has been argued that the Hausa techniques
were the inspiration for the hippie fashion.
It is important to select natural fabrics to tie dye, as synthetic
material does not readily accept dye. Cotton is an excellent
choice, making tie dye t-shirts an excellent outcome. You can
also tie dye silk scarves, bed sheets, blouses, skirts and pants.
People commonly use three colors in the tie dye process,
though you can use more colors or fewer colors as well. When
using multiple colors, it's important to choose colors that will
blend well to make interesting secondary colors in those areas
where the dyes fade into one another. Dye vats are prepared
ahead of time in buckets or plastic tubs. Pots might have to be
used to heat dye mixtures on the kitchen stove or a backyard grill.
Although many different kinds of dyes may be used, most tie-dyers now dye with Procion
MX fiber reactive dyes. This class of dyes works at warm room temperatures; the molecules
permanently bind with cellulose based fibers (cotton, rayon, hemp, linen), as well as silk,
when the pH is raised. Soda ash (sodium carbonate) is generally used to raise the pH and is
either added directly to the dye, or in a solution of water in which garments are soaked before
dyeing. They do not fade with washing, but sunlight will cause the colors to fade over time.
Lab Activity Instructions:
Students will perform the stargazing experiment in their groups. Instructors will explain with
the materials for the experiment and perform a demonstration. Allow one instructor for
presentation and other instructors as assistants around the lab.
Procedure:
Tie Dye Technique 1: Sharpie Pen and Tie Dye Science
Materials: t-shirts (cotton and white preferred), Sharpie
Permanent Markers (different colours), large plastic cups, rubber
bands, rubbing alcohol (70%), dropper bottle / droppers, safety
goggles
1. Position and stretch out an area of t-shirt over the top of
plastic cup and secure with rubber band
2. Design and dot your t-shirt and drop alcohol on coloured dots and alcohol will
absorbed into fabric and the ink will spread in a circular pattern outward from center.
3. Allow t-shirts to dry for 3-5 min before moving onto a new area of t-shirt
Learning outcome: The Sharpie markers contain permanent ink and will not wash away
with water. These ink molecules of ink are soluble in another solvent, rubbing alcohol. This
solvent carries the different colours of ink with it as it spreads in a circular pattern from the
center of t-shirt.
Tie Dye Technique 2: Tying into Patterns
Materials: t-shirts, fiber reactive dye powder, soda ash (sodium carbonate), plastic container
(for mixing soda ash solution), clean glass jar (for mixing dye solution), gloves, towels, paper
towels, laundry detergent, safety goggles
1. The first step in the tie dye process involves soaking the material to be dyed in soda
ash. Wear protective gloves throughout the tie dye process to protect your skin.
Choose gloves that fit well, such as latex surgical gloves.
2. Use ½ cup (118 ml) soda ash per 3.79 liters of water.
Immerse fabric in mixture for five to ten minutes,
occasionally agitating the material. When finished, wring
out fabric to remove excess water, but don’t allow
material to dry out.
3. Mix 2 teaspoons of powdered dye, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 cup of warm water in a
clean glass jar. This forms a very concentrated liquid dye solution. Some colors (such
as yellow) may need double or triple the amount of powdered dye to make solutions
"equally" concentrated.
4. Folding techniques determine resulting patterns in tie dye. You can create spirals,
stripes, donuts and starbursts, among many other patterns. You can also experiment
with your own techniques to get completely unique tie dye results. Once the fabric is
folded, bind it with strings or rubber bands.
5. With the article tied, it’s ready to dip into a hot vat of
dye, starting with the lightest color first. The fabric is
left in the dye for four to seven minutes, then rinsed
thoroughly with warm water before moving on to the
next color. The hotter the vat and the longer the fabric
stay in it, the deeper the color. Depending on the
desired pattern, material may only be partially dipped
into a particular color. If so, rinse only the portion
that was dipped.
6. When finished dying the material, rinse the tied article with warm water and graduate
to cooler water. Continue to rinse the tie dye until the water runs clear.
7. Wash garment in warm water with mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly in cool water.
Gently squeeze out excess water by rolling shirt in a clean old towel.
8. Finally, untie the material and place it in the washing machine. Use mild detergent
and the gentle cycle with warm water and a cool rinse. Hang dry or place the tie dye
in a dryer. For routine care, wash tie dye items by themselves in cool water, or dry
clean silk and other delicate fabrics as required.
Expected Outcome:
The t-shirts will be covered with beautiful colours and patterns and each tie dye t-shirt is one
of its kind.
CURRICULUM CONCEPTS
Chemical properties, including solubility and colour mixing and tie dye reactions
References:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-tie-dye.htm
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Chem_p019.shtml
http://www.ritdye.com/Basic+Instructions.16.lasso
http://www.prochemical.com/directions/Folding.htm
TIE DYE PATTERN DESIGN HANDOUT
KNOT TYING
Hold the cloth at both ends and twist into a long rope form
Tie this long rope into a knot and tighten as much as you can
without damaging the cloth. Knot tying works best on long
sleeves and light-weight material. You can tie as many knots as
you have room for. Rubber bands or string can be tied over knots
to reinforce them as well as provide fine lines in the pattern.
SPIRALS
Lay your material on a flat surface. Place your thumb and a
couple of fingers together on the cloth at the point which will be
the center of the design. Using the weight of your fingers to hold
the cloth in place, start twisting. After each twist, flatten the
material with the palm of your hand to keep the folds from rising.
With your other hand, bring the loose ends into the circle and
continue to twist until the whole thing looks like a fat pancake.
Now take rubber bands, and without disturbing the shape of the
pancake slide the bands under the cloth so that they intersect at
the center. Use as many as necessary to retain the circular shape,
about twice the number shown in the illustration at right for most
tie-dyes. If you decide to immerse, instead of squirting, just set
the cloth gently in the dye bath, do not stir. For an interesting
effect, prevent the cloth from submerging, either by using less
water or by placing the cloth on a prop to hold it out of the dye a
little. Some materials will float automatically. Then sprinkle a
different color dye in powder form over the top of the cloth,
being careful not to get any in the other dye solution.
ELECTRIC BUNCHING
Gather cloth together in small bunches until it is shaped like a
ball. Try to expose as much of the cloth to the surface as
possible. This effect works best on thin materials.
Wrap the string or rubber bands loosely around the ball in as
many directions necessary to retain the ball shape, and set gently
in the dye bath. Do not stir. Just turn over once in a while.
ROSETTES
A Rosette is many little circles, touching or overlapping each
other. Using a pencil or your mind's eye, make a few dots on the
cloth in any pattern. Each dot will be the center of a small circle.
With the thumb and forefinger pick up dot after dot and transfer
to the other hand.
Wrap string or rubber bands several times around the base of all
the circles which have been gathered together. Continue to wrap
to the tip and back, making sure your ties are very tight.
STRIPES
Roll the cloth very loosely, forming a long tube. The stripes will
be at right angles to the tube.
Tie at one intervals or as far apart as you want the stripes to run.
Loop rubber bands or wrap string around the tube a few times
and knot. Make sure the ties are very tight. Now you can either
immerse or squirt the dye on, alternating your colors,
DIAMONDS OVALS
SQUARES
Fold the cloth once along an imaginary line which will run
through the intended form. See possibilities below. Try hearts
too.
Draw half of the intended design with a pencil or with your
mind's eye, starting and ending on the crease.
Form pleats, starting at one end of your line. Try to keep that line
in the center between your hands while pleating until you come
to the end of your line.
Wrap string or rubber bands around all the gathered pleats
several times, and tie a secure knot. Now you can continue
wrapping to the tip and back, or tie an Electric Ball or anything
else you can think of.
CIRCLES
The circle design is relatively simple to create, yet it is easily one
of the most dramatic. Just pick up the cloth with thumb and
forefinger at the point you choose to be the center of the circle.
With the other hand, try to arrange fairly neat and evenly spaced
pleats around the central axis like a closed umbrella. Smooth the
cloth down, and hold tightly at the base. Now let go of the top.
With string or rubber bands, tie a strong anchor-knot around the
base. Continue wrapping to the tip and back again and secure at
the base. Make sure the ties are very tight.
VARIATIONS: 1) Tie only part of the circle. 2) Tie at one inch
intervals. 3) Poke the center or tip down inside the rest of the
circle before tying.
PLEATS
Lay cloth on flat surface. Place thumbs of both hands together
firmly on the cloth. Position fingers about an inch or two in front
of your thumbs, and pinch the fabric to raise a fold. Continue to
pinch up more pleats until you reach the end of the cloth. You
can change directions as often as you want by gathering more
material in one hand than in the other.
Be careful not to lose any pleats. Loop rubber bands or string
very tightly around all the pleats several times and knot. You can
use as many ties as you want. This useful technique is also
employed in tying ovals, squares, diamonds or any shape you can
imagine which has symmetry.