I tried Shibori Tie Dye last year and I couldn’t wait to try the project again. I pinned this amazing tie dye quilt some time last year, and I’ve been dreaming of it ever since.
Recently, I realized the fabric opportunities in the Goodwill sheet section and started hunting at least once a month. I’m not quite brave enough to search through all the clothing…. so overwhelming.
Tips for Goodwill shopping
- Be Super Picky: I will only buy 100% cotton sheets, and I’m looking for pieces that will work well as backing for a quilt.
- Make sure it’s cheap enough: I’ve picked up $7 dresses brand new at Old Navy, so it needs to be an AMAZING deal for me to consider it.
- Wash & Dry everything… several times. Sometimes that smell takes a while to get out.
When I last went to Goodwill, I was planning on dying the pieces, so I only looked through the white clothing… didn’t really find anything exciting. And honestly, I don’t wear that much tie dye.
Then I found the King Size white 100% cotton sheet, and I was so excited!! It was only $7.99!
Tie Dye Process
- Cut the fabric into manageable pieces: you’ll probably also cut the elastic off, so it lies flat 🙂 I cut the sections to around 44″ wide, similar to standard fabric.
- Fold anyway you want! : There’s a lot about shibori tie dye techniques on pinterest, so look up some inspiration!
- Prepare the Dye Vat: I went with a Navy Rit Dye this time, instead of the true indigo dye… mostly because I was running behind and didn’t have time to wait for 2-day Prime Shipping.
- Soak the fabrics in clean water: The fabric absorbs the dye better when wet…
- Place fabric in the Dye Vat and leave for at least 30 minutes.
- Rinse the fabric until the water runs clear
- Wash and Dry as normal
Here are some pics!
Out of the dye vat and into my laundry sink… I always get so nervous because everything looks SO BLUE
I probably took it out too early, or tried to dye too much fabric at once… this one will need to be re-dyed later with more pattern
Once it was washed and dried, I cut it up into 2.5 inch strips to make a Log Cabin Quilt (surprise, right? I love log cabin quilts and will probably make a million of them).
Some strips have less tie dye on them than others, and I will probably need to re-dye some sections of fabric that are boring… but I have enough for a twin quilt 🙂 The photos below are closer to true color.
I plan on doing one half of the log cabin block in tie dye and the other half in a white, with a navy center square! So excited!
The remaining fabric for the quilt will need to be pre-washed, because the sheet was obviously pre-washed… that should be interesting.
Have you tried a fun fabric dye-ing project? Last time, I dyed a dress and a tote bag, but I love this so much more!
