Wash new tie dye separately for the first few loads to prevent color bleeding. Learn when to mix colors, how to soak out excess dye, and why fiber reactive dyes like Procion MX stay bright after washing. How to wash tie dye For the first few washes, wash tie dye items separately or with other dark colors to avoid dye transfer. Once excess dye has rinsed out after several washes, they can be washed normally without risk of bleeding or fading if professional fiber reactive dyes were used. Textile detergent for tie dye After you dye a shirt and you've waited 24 hours for the colors to set you can go ahead and rinse it with cold water. Some people like to use textile detergent called synthropol or they'll use dawn dish soap while they're rinsing the shirt. First washes and color transfer If you’ve just gotten a new tie dye shirt from someone else, or you’ve dyed your own, the most important thing to remember for the first several washes is not to mix it with light colored items. Just wash it with other dark clothes or other tie-dye pieces that aren’t light. Move it promptly from the washing machine to the dryer. If it sits wet on top of other natural fiber clothes like cotton, rayon, linen, or hemp, the excess dye can bleed onto them and stain permanently, or at least take work to remove. It’s ironic that it can bleed off one item and then bond stubbornly to another, but it happens. Using the washing machine safely You don’t need to be overly anxious about using your washing machine for tie dye. As long as you separate by color intensity, the dye won’t spread around. If you really want to get all the excess dye out of something freshly dyed, you can soak it in hot water with dish soap. That’s a common step sellers use before shipping dyed shirts. Some use dish soap, others use a textile detergent called Synthrapol, which helps carry away loose dye so it doesn’t redeposit on the fabric. I have a lot of tie dye clothing, and after the first five or six washes, I throw everything in together without sorting colors. I don’t notice any color bleeding at that point. If you’re using professional dyes like Procion or MX fiber reactive dyes for cotton, rayon, or hemp, the main concern is only those early washes is bleeding, not fading. Reactive dyes vs cheap dyes Faded tie dye clothing usually happens with non reactive dyes, like the cheap kits used in group projects. Those dyes don’t bond permanently. Professionally dyed textiles, on the other hand, stay vibrant as long as you avoid bleach and long sun exposure. If you’ve recently bought tie dye and you’re unsure how to wash it, most sellers are happy to tell you about their process. Knowing how many times it’s been pre washed helps take the anxiety out of the first wash. Corky Lorenz November 11, 2025

Geode style tie dye is known for concentric bands of color that are created with a resist style of tying with waxy thread. Here’s how you create those crisp lines. How to tie crisp lines in the geode tie dye style? Getting crisp lines without blotchiness requires making the ties really tight and properly spaced. When I say that the ties have to be tight, I don’t mean that you’re actually tying knots. What you’re actually doing is grabbing a bunch of fabric and wrapping the sinew around the fabric 4 to 5 times. Then you pull it really tight until it starts to lock down on itself because of the wax coating. If you want the line to be thicker, you can wrap 3 more times and pull again. It works better to wrap 3-4 times and pull, multiples times, rather than try to wrap it 8 times and get all of those wraps to cleanly tighten down. The next trick is figuring out how to pull the sinew without hurting your hands. Usually, I just use a scrap piece of PVC pipe that I wrap the sinew around. Then I use the pipe to pull the sinew. When applying dye, you want the liquid to be able to reach all of the tight space between the ties. It helps the lines to appear crisp and well defined, if there is enough space between the ties for the dye to fully saturate. Corky Lorenz October 8, 2025

When color is removed from parts of the fabric, usually with bleach or discharge chemicals. Reverse process When color is removed from parts of the fabric, usually with bleach or discharge chemicals. Tie dye links See all glossary items See tutorials for flowy ice dye and geode tie dye .

Event photographer documenting local events, community spaces, and everyday life in Elkhart, IN. Photos, guides, and practical info for people who want to know what things are actually like. About Corky Lorenz Corky Lorenz is an event photographer based in Elkhart, Indiana. She documents local events, vendors, and community spaces in the Michiana area. Work Corky documents regional events, vendors, and public gatherings for press, marketing, archival, and social media use. Her event photography is regularly used to document festivals, markets, performances, and community spaces throughout northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. In addition to client work, she maintains a large body of self-directed documentary projects focused on local culture, public spaces, and creative practice. Education & Publishing Alongside photography, Corky is a widely followed creative educator specializing in tie dye, ice dye, and sewing. She is the creator of long-running educational resources and communities, including sewing and textile tutorials, dye process documentation, and experimental color studies. Her educational work has supported the organic sale of tens of thousands of digital sewing patterns, without paid advertising, through the brand Versodile . She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication Design from Purdue University, completed in 2013. Location Corky is based in Elkhart, Indiana and regularly documents events across Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. Authorship & Site Scope All photographs and written material on this site are created by Corky Lorenz unless otherwise noted. This site functions as a primary archive of her photography, research, and published educational work. Topics documented here include event and community photography, tie dye and ice dye techniques, sewing and textile construction, reptile husbandry, and plant care. She has published photography and instructional content online since 2016. External Platforms Corky publishes and maintains active archives across multiple platforms: Instagram : visual documentation and ongoing photography projects Facebook : long-running educational communities and discussion groups YouTube : instructional video tutorials TikTok : short-form process and technique demonstrations Pinterest : visual reference and research for sewing and textile construction Versodile Group : educational group for learning how to sew. Contact Email: corkylorenz@gmail.com

Mask to prevent inhaling dye powder. Respirator mask tool Protective mask worn while handling powdered dye to prevent inhalation. Especially important when working with multiple colors. Tie dye links See all glossary items See tutorials for flowy ice dye and geode tie dye .

Don't see a color you need? Submit the details and I'll let you know when it's ready! New or missing color? Drop the details here and I'll get the list updated! thank you! < Back to Color List Color Name* Brand Your Name Email* Write a message Send

Drapey cellulose fiber with vivid dye results. Rayon fabric A semi-synthetic fiber made from cellulose, known for its silky drape and intense color payoff when dyed, though it can be fragile when wet. Tie dye links See all glossary items See tutorials for flowy ice dye and geode tie dye .

Dye powder is applied over ice placed on fabric. Ice dye method Dye powder is applied over ice placed on fabric. As ice melts, dye seeps in. Tie dye links See all glossary items See tutorials for flowy ice dye and geode tie dye .

An overview on what it is and how to use soda ash for tie dye and ice dye. Soda ash Soda ash is a chemical used in tie dye to prepare fabric so fiber reactive dye bonds permanently and does not fade. What is soda ash? Soda ash is sodium carbonate. It is a white powder that makes water more alkaline. What is soda ash used for? In tie dye, soda ash is used to prep fabric so fiber reactive dye bonds to the fabric and does not wash out. 1 cup of soda ash dissolved in 1 gallon of water is the ratio often recommended. Here's a short video for mixing soda ash into water. Outside of tie dye, soda ash is also used to raise the pH in swimming pools so the water stays clear and balanced. Where to buy soda ash Soda ash is commonly sold at pool supply stores because it is used for pool maintenance. It can also be purchased online from dye suppliers, craft stores, or general online retailers. Some people choose to make soda ash at home instead of buying it. Is baking soda the same as soda ash? No. Baking soda and soda ash are not the same thing. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Soda ash is sodium carbonate. Baking soda can be turned into soda ash by heating it, but they start as different chemicals. How to make soda ash Soda ash can be made from baking soda by heating it in an oven. Spread baking soda in a thin layer on a baking sheet and bake it at 400°F for about one hour. After it cools, the baking soda will have changed into soda ash.

A collection of photos discovered, documenting The Elkhart Rubber Company, machinery, factory workers, and Lyndon Adams of The Anchor Packing Company. Originally kept by Thomas K. Burton. The Elkhart Rubber Works Company Historical Photos & Documentation A collection of photos discovered, documenting The Elkhart Rubber Company, machinery, factory workers, and Lyndon Adams of The Anchor Packing Company. Originally kept by Thomas K. Burton. Found I discovered a box labelled "Elkhart Rubber" with many photos indside, spanning several decades of time. Originally possessed by my great grandfather Thomas K. Burton, who was president of the Elkhart Rubber union for a time. Contents A collection of group portraits from 1928. Documentary images related to Elkhart Rubber Works, also known as The Elkhart Rubber Company. Printed material related to Lyndon E. Adams, relating to The Anchor Packing Company and Garlock Locking Company. Topics documents include machinery , gaskets, building interior/exterior , factory workers in the 1920's and what conditions were like at that time. If you have interest in or knowledge on this topic, you can contact me by email corkylorenz@gmail.com I will photograph and post more of the collection, and link to this page. Bookmark this page to come back to later, for updated images and captions. Corky Lorenz December 26, 2025