8/17/11

Eco-Friendly Laundry Daze

So pure, so natural...why the hell are we not all using this?!? 

Sad to say, but it took me many years to jump on this simple idea. Recently made a medium sized batch with my man & so far I'm honestly impressed :) No smelly goodness in our first Eco-Friendly batch but I'm super eager to try out scents!

Dirt Tribe on Etsy

What does Dirt Tribes: Blackberry Sage - Laundry Soap
smell like on your freshly washed clothes.
Curious? I sure am!
Check out them out on Etsy to experience the many scents they have
if your not into making your own Laundry detergent. 


Do you make your own and/or use Eco-Friendly Laundry detergents? 
If not are you willing to give it a try?
I'd love to hear your stories or know what recipes you love!

Good Vibes & Bright Dyes
www.moondyes.com

4/9/11

Fashionable Solutions For Special Needs

Just finished up a fun little sock order for Ross Daniels Adaptive Apparel. We do the tie dying for a couple of the sock designs sold for disabled children and teens who wear ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs).

 Check out the specials on socks in 2011!

We had 20 pairs of socks to dye up quick like.
Making sure not to dye over the logo!













Tied up & Drying out a bit
All Dyed

These socks were dyed in a stripe pattern using blue, black & keeping some white where the logo was.

Dried & ready to package & ship off!

4/5/11

Much Peace 4 The Lizard King (Trade)

So today I'm a bit gloomy for its April 5th...
RIP Kurt Cobain & Layne Staley

BUT thinking of a trade in progress with Safi's Art makes me all smiles :) She does totally awesome art work you must check out! I bet if you dropped her a line she would do a custom piece for you that would blow your mind!!!
We have made a trade recently for two of my custom tie dye tees & a pair of matching socks: 

This tee has matching socks that I haven't taken a pic of yet.


Super Groovy Rainbow Peace Sign Tee




...for a painting of hers I just love of Jim Morrison!!! 
So psyched to hang it for all to see :)

Check out her shop on Etsy!

Sanddan's Art

where fine art lives


4/4/11

Tie Dye Monkeys & Turtles? Oh my!

I got a fun custom order from a groovy FB bud for some tees & tanks for him & his daughter a few weeks back. I just finished them up and sent them off to enjoy there new home. These were the first tank tops made for the season. Hurray! And bonus: They turned out perfect.
Pauls order drying out naturally

The way I tie dye is I soak them in soda ash mixture for 20-30- mins then I squeeze them out and wring them out in a washer quick then I tie up the goods using my crafty hands & let them naturally air dry by a window on some racks I rigged up. They sit out to get bone dry before I start dying. This way I get a nice sharp pattern of the design I want.
Patience = AWESOME dyes! 

Monkeys!

Once they are dyed I let them bond overnight. Then the next day is rinse & wash day! It does take a while to get a custom tie dye made but it is worth the wait. Just ask my kynd customers opinions.


Peace Turtles!

Very Popular design, but I can see why.



Good Vibes & Bright Dyes


1/1/11

Marbled Mindblow - Marble Tie Dyeing with Shaving Cream by Moon Dyes



 So a while back I saw a featured artist on Dharmas website who had some way groovy marbled fabrics. I was curious on how she had gotten that marvelous marbled look...so I started to do some research then gave it a bit of a whirl.

Looks easier then it is :)

  First things first: 
You need something to Transform.
I hand dyed a pair of bamboo socks that are super duper soft & comfy along with a groovy sports bra. I also dyed a pair of cotton training pants & a toddlers tank top for a friend. Pics shown way below.

SHAVING CREAM FUN!

Next:
 Get materials gathered.
I used the shaving cream method.
You will need...
  • Dye Powder &  
  • Urea to mix dyes
  • Soda Ash dye fixer
  • A shallow tray/Lid or Long Storage box as big as the item your marbling
  • Toothpicks, combs or whatever to swirl the dye around
  • Shaving cream, the regular plain white foam kind a few cans if u plan on doing something large or a lot of items.
  • Squeeze Bottles with spouts
  • Funnels
  • Newspaper
  • Bowls

Finally:
Lets start crafting!
You will need to pre soak the fabric items you will be dying in a soda ash bath for 20 minutes at least. Squeeze out & let dry a while, or if you have no patience you can pop it in the dryer until it is just a bit damp. Not too long or your fabric can burn so always pay attention!

*Dye molecules permanently bind with cellulose based fibers (cotton, rayon, hemp, linen), as well as silk, when the pH is raised. Soda ash (sodium carbonate) is generally used to raise the pH and is either added directly to the dye, or in a solution of water in which garments are soaked before dyeing. This way the color doesn't wash out! Yeeeaah

While your waiting for fabric to dry mix your dye powder with the urea. Using a bowl add some shaving cream to it and squirt one of your colored dyes into it. Mix well. You should have a runny but thick mixture. Pour it into a squirt bottle. You may need to snip the tip larger if necessary. Repeat with a different color and so on. Do this quickly for the shaving cream turns watery if your a slow poke!
I live 2 dye...

Now its time to set up your Dye Base.
Use the shallow tray/box/lid. I used a Tupperware lid for the bamboo socks & toddler tank an a small plastic tote for the sports bra. Take a bowl and squirt tons of shaving cream into it, add a little water and Stir it Up. This will be poured on the lid or whatever you are using so make sure its not too runny or thick.

Good Luck!
Gotta Have Base
Pick a few colors and squirt some lines on the white base. Pick another and squirt a few more lines and so on.... leave some white base in between the colored lines or your colors will turn all to muck, I say...YUCK!

Nice and Pretty
Trip-Fantastic

Take a pencil, stick or whatever and do a few fancy swirls to the base with the colored lines on it. Nothing to fancy if its your first time. Posted is some information on ways to swirl if you need some help.

Looks Far Out Man!

Taken from the Dharma Trading Website

 Time to Dye the Goods!
Get the paper towels spread out on plastic or in a tote of some sort that's as big as the item your dyeing. I line a Tupperware tote with them and place the item in the tote. This way I have a lid to keep the item moist which helps with the bonding process. When your ready take your item and place it on the colorfully swirled dye base. Try to set the middle of the item down first then slowly put the rest down on either side. This way you get no air bubbles. If your dying a shirt or something on both sides cut some cardboard wrap it in plastic and place it in between the item. This way you can dye both sides without making a mucky mess. I did not do this step with my first items picture here since this was my first time trying this. My next Marble Dyeing blog post will be improved!
I should of used plastic cardboard

Dyed Item on Paper Towels
Take them off and dye the back.
You may need to re do the dye base if there is no more room. Then lay the item on the paper towel and cover. This is where a tote comes in handy.

The item needs to Bond in a Warm Spot
 Let it sit overnight to bond. Rinse with cold water until the water is clear then wash with Hot water and a nice shot of synthrapol to make sure the colors don't bleed together. It also keeps the white parts white...WOW! I wash it again in cold water to make sure it doesn't dye my clothes next time I wash it.

Dry and wear in pride.
Handmade Rocks!

Bamboo Socks

Cotton Sports Bra

https://www.facebook.com/MoonDyes/photos/a.222505898897.134207.109584053897/430661313897/?https://www.facebook.com/MoonDyes/photos/a.222505898897.134207.109584053897/430661328897/?type=3&theater

 
 
Thanks for looking!
Lila Moon
 
 
 
Good Vibes 🌙 Bright Dyes 
www.moondyes.com 
Moon Dyes

Follow @moondyes on: