5 Best Fabrics for Tie Dye
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, hemp, and rayon are ideal for tie dyeing as they absorb dye well.
- Fabrics like Fabric Merchants Jersey Knit Solids, European 100% Linen, Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton, Telio Eco Organic Cotton Hemp Sweatshirt Fleece, and Robert Kaufman Jersey Knit Solids are recommended for tie dye projects.
- Tie dyeing offers a wide range of customization options in terms of colors, patterns, tying methods, and dyeing processes.
Best Fabrics for Tie Dye
Here are our tie dye fabric reviews.
1. Fabric Merchants Jersey Knit Solids
This fabric is a lightweight, 100% cotton, jersey knit that features 15% mechanical stretch, which makes it perfect for t-shirts. T-shirts are extremely popular when it comes to tie dye. Cotton jersey is generally easy to dye and usually holds the die well.
- Fabric is flexible, so it makes it easy to tie
- Highly customizable when it comes to tie methods and patterns, as well as the dyes that can be used and dying methods
- Cotton is highly absorbent and will tend to dye well
2. European 100% Linen
This medium weight 100% linen fabric is perfect for tie dye projects that aren’t apparel related. Looking for pillows or window treatments that are tie dyed? This line is perfect for making creative home décor accents. This line of linen fabrics is also great for making apparel like skirts, dresses, and jackets.
- Linen is a natural fiber and it generally works very well for tie dying
- This line of linen is premium quality
- Comes in a variety of neutral colors, perfect for dying
3. Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton
This lightweight cotton is perfect for making all sorts of apparel items. Cotton is often a popular choice for shirts, skirts, or dresses, which can make for fun tie dye projects. Cotton is very absorbent fabric, which makes it easy to dye. It generally holds the dye well. White works well, but other soft pastel colors may work alright for dying as well.
- Natural fibers like cotton are great for tie dying
- This line of cotton has been tested for harmful chemicals and has the Confidence in Textiles Certification
- Colors often appear bright and stay bright after being dyed, but each fabric will respond differently to different dyes
4. Telio Eco Organic Cotton Hemp Sweatshirt Fleece
Looking to get creative and tie dye a sweater? This medium weight blend of 50% hemp, 30% organic cotton, and 20% bamboo from rayon just might be the perfect fabric. The fabric is incredibly soft and has 15% stretch, which makes it perfect for sweaters, hoodies, and things like t-shirt dresses.
- Natural fibers tend to dye well, some of the best being cotton, hemp, and bamboo
- This line does have a light grey or a pale pink- lighter colors can also be dyed
- Can be tied or bunched well, as the materials is soft
5. Robert Kaufman Jersey Knit Solids
This line of cotton is lightweight and is a 95% cotton, 5% Lycra Spandex blend. The jersey knit features 50% four way stretch, which makes it a great fabric to make t-shirts, loungewear, and other apparel. Cotton is soft, but is also durable.
- Cotton fabric absorbs dye well
- Cotton is soft and flexible, which makes it easy to tie for different dye patterns
- A wide variety of dyes and dying methods can be used for natural fibers
Fabrics for Tie Dye Buying Guide
Tie dyed garments tend to be bold with vibrant colors. While this can be true, there are many different colors and color combinations that can be used for dying. The unique part about tie dye, is that it is highly customizable as far as colors and even patterns go. There are many different tying methods which will produce different patterns and results. Different brands of dyes and different dying processes can also be used, depending on the type of fabric you want to dye.
Tie Dye Learning Curve
Tie Dye can be fairly simple to learn, but of course, there are complicated techniques, ties, and dying processes that can be used as well. Tie dye is nearly instantly gratifying, as most garments or fabrics being dyed will only have to sit or soak for a maximum of twenty-four hours and some can sit for far shorter periods of time. There are many tutorials online that explain how to tie dye, and many can be watched in under five minutes.
Colors and Patterns
Natural fibers like cotton, hemp, bamboo rayon, and linen tend to dye well. They soak up and absorb the dye. Color vibrancy is largely going to depend on how long the fabrics soak in the dye and what type of dyes are used. Natural fibers also work well for dying because they are softer and can be tied easily in many different patterns, methods, and techniques.
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