Anyone else think mandala dyes are just absolutely gorgeous? I really love the beautiful flower-like patterns.
There are two ways to fold fabric to achieve this look.
Method 1: Basic Triangle Fold
Start by folding your fabric in half and then half again so that you’ve folded it into quarters.
Fold back the top layer and line it up with the folded edge, creating a triangle.
Fold a second time towards the same edge.
Keep folding as many times as you want, lining up with the edge each time.
Flip the whole thing over and repeat with the other side.
This is the method I’ve been using to make my mandalas.
Method 2: Accordion fold
Start by folding your fabric in half and then half again so that you’ve folded it into quarters. Run your fingers along the second folded edge so that you crease the fabric, then unfold the fabric once so that your fabric is folded only in half.
Match the folded edge of the fabric with the middle crease, creating a triangle.
Fold back up to match the outside edge.
Folding to the underside, match the triangles to the center crease.
Fold the second side towards the center crease.
Bring up to match the outside edge.
Fold over at the center crease. You’ll have brought the second half over the top of the first half.
Fold back the second half so that everything matches up. You should have a stack of triangles.
You should be able to see each fold from the side. Here’s what it should look like if you’ve folded right:
Tying and Dyeing
Everyone else seems to soak their fabric in soda ash before folding. The reason they do this is that it’s easier to fold and tie fabric when it’s wet, which is a totally valid reason to do it that way. The downside is that you have to wear gloves (they ruin my dexterity) and a have large enough space to toss around fabric soaked in chemicals.
I prefer to fold and tie stuff up while it’s dry and then soak it after. I’d really rather spread out on the floor to fold and sit on my bum in front of the TV while I tie stuff up. If you tie fabric while dry you have to pull extra hard to get it tight enough.
For my first mandala I drew lines with washable chalk where I wanted to tie it up and then tied it with sinew.
I always soak after tying for at least 15 minutes in soda ash solution and wring out as much extra liquid as I can.
I wanted more control over where the colors went so I sprinkled the dye on top of the wet fabric then layered ice on top to ice dye.
For my second I kept folding just a little over and holding it in place with rubber bands.
I did another two where I randomly tied them off with sinew and dyed in the typical ice dye method which is where you layer the ice over the soaked fabric first then sprinkle the dye over the ice.
I have to admit, I’m kinda hooked. These kaleidoscope patterns are so mesmerizing!
Are you going to try making one?
Wow they are fabulous.
Thank you!
What kind of dye do you use?
I use procion fiber reactive dyes, which are more commonly known as tie dye.
The BEST
Before the process we have to soak the cloth in soda ash water and then dry if ?
You can either soak the fabric and tie it while wet, or you can tie it first and then soak it after.
So beautiful thank you for sharing. I will be trying this. What size fabric did you start with?
I used 1 yard.
The reason why they soak it in soda ash isn’t because it’s easier to fold, and tie fabric, it’s because it’s a chemical reaction between the fabric, and soda ash that helps the dye hold on to the fabric for more vibrant colours.
While yes, it is important to remember to soak in soda ash before dyeing, it truly does not matter if this soak happens before or after you have tied up your fabric. That is really just a matter of preference.
Love it! Can you use rock salt too? Ps, planning this technique on tea towels & pilowcases💜
No salt is used in ice dyeing.
Hello, happy to join you, I will love to be your student cos your work has an amazing effects.
How would you fold this on a T-shirt?
You still just fold the shirt into quarters to start and continue the mandala fold from there. There’s a good graphic if you’re a visual person on Paula Burch’s website here.
Hoi, wat ziet dit er super uit😍 wij hebben dylonpods textielpoeder wat kant en klaar is (met zout), wil dit dan ook met de ijsblokjesversies? En dat weken van te voren in natriumcarbonaatoplossing, is dat dan ook nodig? Ik ga met mn kinderen dit proberen😍 alvast bedankt voor de reactie
First here’s the translated comment for those who are curious what you asked: “Hi, how super does this look😍 we have dylonpods textile powder which is ready to use (with salt), will this do with the ice cube versions? And that soaking in advance in soda solution, is that necessary too? I am going to try this with my kids😍 thanks in advance for the response” I haven’t ice dyed myself with Dylon but it is possible. I don’t know that the pods would work but you can do it with the packets of powder. For the Dylon powder packets… Read more »
Gorgeous work… So here’s my question if I tie it up dry and then soak the fold it and tide fabric in the soda ash solution how do you squeeze out the extra soda ash liquid?
I just squeeze as much out as I can by hand and haven’t had an issue with it.
thx! trying it now!!!!
Your work is fabulous . . . WOW just love it
Gracias por explicar la forma de doblar la tela. Muchos muestran el mándala finalizado. Pero no como se dobla. Gracias!!! Además quedaron hermosos.