Are you looking to add a pop of color to your trunk? Why do you not learn how to tie-dye socks? This easy DIY project can be finished in just a few simple steps. This comprehensive guide will show you how to tie-dye socks. So just grab your supplies and get started.
How to Tie Dye
Tie-dying socks is a very simple process, but there are some tricks you have to know to get the best result. Check the overview below of the tie-dye process.
- Firstly, prep your work area and all the essential supplies
- Then mix your dyes and pre-soak your socks if needed.
- After that, fold and tie your socks.
- Next, apply the dye and let the dye sit.
- Lastly, rinse, wash your socks and wear your new socks.
Also Read: How to Crumple Tie-Dye Technique
The Tie-Dye supplies you will need
Before you start the tie-dyeing process, you have to grab a few supplies that are mentioned below:
- Fiber-reactive dye in assorted colors
- Cotton socks(at least 70% cotton for the easy result)
- Soda ash (depending on the dye type your purchase)
- Synthrapol or another detergent
- Strong string or rubber bands
- Squeeze bottles (to apply dye)
- Plastic tablecloths and large trash bags to secure your work surface
- wire rack to raise the garment off the work surface
- Gloves and a dust mask
- Plastic wrap or zip-top bags
The best type of Tie-Dye
The best type of dye type for tie-dye socks is reactive fiber dye, which reacts with fabric cold water to create a stable bond – best for the classic squirt bottle tie-dye technique.
- This dye type is much longer lasting, brighter, and easier to use than some other all-purpose dyes. Also, you don’t need to worry about your design of tie dye washing out the time when you put it in the laundry.
- The Procion MX dyes and tulip one-step dye kits are also perfect for tie-dye because the tulip brand kits are easy. They are standardized with soda ash in the dye powder, which eliminates the need to pre-soak clothes in soda ash.
Complete Instructions to tie dye socks
Before we get into the instruction of tie-dye, let’s take a look few safety tips:
- Work on a protected work surface or outside
- Make sure to have an apron or old clothes you don’t mind getting stained or untidy.
- Wear a dust mask when mixing dye powders or soda ash
- Wear gloves so that the dye won’t slouch your hand.
Step 1. Prep the socks and your workspace
- Before you start tie dye, pre-wash your socks with Synthrapol detergent or another laundry detergent. Pre-washing the socks is most important to remove dirt, oil, and chemicals left over from the manufacturing procedure.
- After that, set up your work area. Cover your work surface with a large trash bag or plastic tablecloth. Set up a wire rack to lift up the socks off the work surface, if applicable. Then, grab your squeezed bottles, rubber bands, and gloves.
Step 2. Mix your dyes and soda ash pre-soak
According to the package instructions, mix the dyes.
- For Tulip One-Step dyes: First, add water according to the package instruction guide, and shake to mix. With the Tulip One-Step dye, you don’t need a soda ash pre-soak.
- For Procion MX dyes: Put on your glove sand dust mask. Mix the dyes according to the instruction. In general, you will mix three teaspoons of dye with 1 cup of warm water. Then stir to dissolve and use a funnel to transfer the dye to a bottle of a squeeze. After that, mix a soda ashore, soak, and add 1 cup of soda ash to warm water. Then stir to dissolve and soak your socks in soda ash pre-soak for 15 to 20 minutes. When the time is up, extract the waste soda ash solution.
Step 3: Fold and Tie your socks
- In this step, you have to fold up the socks and tie them with rubber bands and string (if your socks have a soda ash solution, you may want to wear gloves when you fold them.)
- There are so many ways to tie up your socks. You can do an easy spiral, accordion fold, or scrunch them up randomly.
Step 4: Apply the dye
- Once you tie up your socks, you can apply the dye. To do this, use the squeeze bottles, and apply the dye in any pattern you want. You can analyze it with different techniques like spraying or dabbing.
- Tip: wear gloves when you apply the tie-dye so it doesn’t stain your hands.
Step 5: Let the dye set
Once you have done applying the dye to your socks, let the socks sit while the dye acts with the fabric. To do this, place the socks in a plastic bag to secure them from drying out and leave them in a hot place for 8 hours. Let the dye set up for 24 hours for the darkest or brightest color.
Step 6: Rinse, wash and wear your socks
When the dye has set completely, now it’s time to rinse and wash your socks. In order to do this, remove the socks from the plastic bag and then rinse them in cold water until the water runs fair. After that, wash them in hot water with Synthrapol or some other mild detergent for the best result.
The Techniques of Tie-dye sock folding
The challenge of dying socks is that you need more surface area to work with. Still, there are a different variety of tie-dye designs and folding methods that you can try. Here are some methods you can check:
- Striped Tie-Dye socks
To create a duo of matching tie-dye striped socks:
- Lay two socks together and then fold them in half lengthwise.
- After that, place a rubber band on every inch
- Lastly, apply different types of dye colors in each section.
- Swirl Dye socks
Since socks have a little surface area, getting a true spiral design is tough. To make swirl tie-dye socks:
- First, lay the two socks together, pinch a little section in the heel area, and then twist your fingers to begin rolling up the socks. So keep twisting until the socks are folded up into a tight bundle.
- After that, secure the socks with rubber bands. Cross the rubber bands in the middle to form triangle-shaped wedges. Then add different types of color dye to the wedges styled by the crisscrossing rubber bands.
- Crumple Dye socks
Here is the simplest way to dye socks. You can easily dye socks as a pair or singles. To make crumple-dye socks, follow these steps:
- First, lay the damp socks out flat on your work area. After that, scrunch a little section of the fabric together.
- Then, keep scrunching and folding the socks.
- After that, gather the socks into an almost flat, tight disk.
- Lastly, wrap a few rubber bands around the socks and then apply the dyes as desired.
Final Verdict
The tie-dye process ordinarily consists of folding, twisting, crumpling, and pleating a fabric and then dying it. Also, it’s the best way to show off your different styles, and it’s a fun activity with family and friends. In the above guide, you will see complete instructions on how to tie dye socks and other important information to get started.
