Introduction to basic tie dying techniques

Level: 4th to 12th grade Various curricular integration Social Studies: Eastern Indian

CultureScience: Chemical ReactionsReligion: Joseph and his coat of

many colorsLesson Plan by Noreen Strehlow

Equipment needed: Enough fabric for each student to create at least one small project. At least one plain white t-shirt per student.A variety of dyes and bleach/water mixtureRubber bands, string, and a variety of plastic objects for dye resist, freezer paperA sink for rinsing out fabricA place to hang and dry dyed, rinsed fabric An iron and ironing board

2600 BC Earliest written record of the use of dyes in China 327 BC Alexander the Great mentions "beautiful printed cottons" in India273 AD Emperor Aurelian refused to let his wife buy a purpura-dyed silk garment. It cost its weight in gold.Late 4th Century Emperor Theodosius of Byzantium issued a decree forbidding the use of certain shades of purple except

by the Imperial family on pain of death15th Century Aztecs under Montezuma conquered the Mayans. 11 Mayan cities paid a yearly tribute of 2000 decorated

cotton blankets and 40 bags of Cochineal (insect dye) each.1519 Pizarro and Cortez find that there is cotton in Central and South America. They send back brightly printed fabrics

showing that the Indians knew about block printing prior to the Conquest. 1688 James II, of England, prohibited exportation of un-dyed cloth from England to help bolster the home industry for

English dyers over that of the Scottish dyers.

18th Century - English dyehouse gets contract to dye Buckingham Palace Guards coats with cochineal, continued into the 20th Century.1716 There were now more than 30 laws in England prohibiting the importation of calico and cotton; prints became popular .

1745 Indigo begins to be grown in England, after the Revolution when it became cheaper to import from the East Indies 1774 Swedish chemist, Scheele, discovered chlorine destroyed vegetable colors leading to bleach techniques1774 Prussian blue formed from prussite of potash and iron salt was one of the early chemical dyes. 1856 William Henry Perkin discovered the first synthetic dye while searching for a cure for malaria and began a new industry.

The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors shows that there were natural dyes in biblical times. (Gen. 37:2-4)

Students will look at contemporary tie dyed productshttp://www.tiedyehunter.com/swatcheswindow.htmhttp://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/Africa/save/runge/runge.htm

Students will be given a piece of white prewashed fabricTeacher will demonstrate how to tie up the fabric in a variety of waysElectric Scrunch, Shibori, spirals, sunbursts, stripes, etc.

Teacher will explain dying proceduresStudents will protect their clothing with smocks, aprons, and rubber gloves Students will mix and time the dye bathsTeacher will monitor the work but students are responsible for removing and

rinsing their fabrics or t-shirts

Students can take digital photos of their pieces and use Photoshop Elements to design a wall hanging