Tie-Dye 2010
July 08, 2010, 16:26 pm Posted by Thom O'Hearn
"Rust" Scarf by Shabd Simon-Alexander
When I moved to Asheville about a month ago, I noticed that a lot of the local stores here sell tie-dyed apparel. On some weekends there’s even an artist tie-dyeing to order outside of Earth Fare! If I had moved last year, I might have been wondering why tie-dye is still so big here. But this summer it’s completely different: Tie-dye is big again everywhere.
Remember knitting a few years ago, back before it was reinvented? Well tie-dye is now starting to attract the same sort of attention. The hands of a new generation of crafters are in the dye pot and the results are not only wearable, but desirable. Don’t believe me? Take a quick look around the internet:
Shabd Simon-Alexander is the one person who is most likely to change your mind about tie-dye. Her astral-inspired designs are captivating: http://www.shop.shabdismyname.com/shop.html
"Rust" Tie-Dye by Shabd Simon-Alexander
One of my favorite sewing designers, Jenny Gordon of Wikstenmade, posted some of her designs from Shabd’s class. It’s simpler than most of Shabd’s work, but equally awesome: http://wikstenmade.blogspot.com/2010/06/tie-dye.html
Tie-Dye by Jenny Gordon / Wikstenmade
Always ahead of the trends, Alison on Etsy recently highlighted the Shibori school of tie dye: http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/trends-a-summer-to-dye-9024/
Shibori Tie-Dye by Tiemee on Etsy
Even bigger manufacturers are getting in on the action: http://www.americanapparel.com/bb401tdw.html
Tie-Dye by American Apparel
Thom, just this morning I put in my car my 9-year-old's tie-dyed shirt from day camp. This trend hooks them young!
Okay, I just gave away a “tie dye” kit someone had given me a few months ago. Kicking myself! I should have kept it. I remember tie-dying with my cousins when we were little. So much fun!
They say what goes out of style will definitely come back. We tie -dyed shirts and socks at my daughter's 6th birthday party 14 years ago.The girls absolutely loved it and so did I. The screams of delight as they cut the rubber bands revealing the beautiful designs was fabulous!
Oh no! Just remember: It’s never too late to tie-dye.