Tips and Techniques to Reverse Tie Dye T Shirts and More!

Reverse Tie DyeIn a past blog post I wrote a blog about Tie Dye, and recently I discovered a technique for decorating shirts that is refereed to as reverse tie dye. Now I do own clothing items that are reverse tie dyed but I never recognized as this technique nor how it was created. So after discovering this I decided I must write a blog post to share my discovery with the world!

What is Reverse Tie Dye?

When you tie dye you add color to create design, so in the reverse we are technically removing color to create an interesting pattern and design. In order to do this you use bleach of the not color safe variety. You can use this technique on many different things, from t shirts and socks to sheets and pillow cases.

What You Need

-The first thing you need is something to reverse tie dye. An item made of cotton would work best, and it also needs to be dark in color to get the full effect.

-You’ll also need bleach, at most a few cups depending on the technique you choose and the size of your selected item.

-Since bleach is involved I would also suggest using gloves, and perhaps wearing a poncho or ratty apron to make sure no bleach splashes on your clothes. You should probably also wear ratty clothing…just in case.

-Depending on the technique you choose you will need either a spray bottle or bucket to use in a bleach safe area.

-The last thing you’ll need is some rubber bands to shape the item before bleaching, just like in tie dye!

Techniques

While research I came across two different techniques you can use to apply the bleach. But before using bleach everyone has the same basic idea for set-up, with a few variations of course. Just like with normal tie dye you need to roll, fold, and twist the item, or items, into a desired or interesting shape using the rubber bands before applying the bleach. Just like with tie dye the shape you take and where and how you apply the bleach will create and affect the design that is created.

After rubber banding the item(s) into a shape, it’s time to apply the bleach! The first technique I saw was using a spay bottle to spray the bleach, or a bleach water mixture, onto what you are reverse tie dying. Just be sure to mark it or clean out the spray bottle throughly so you don’t accidentally spray bleach somewhere you’d rather not spray it. The other technique is taking a part of the item, not the whole thing and dipping it in some bleach. This technique happens fast and as soon as there is a color you like, immediately transfer to a tub of water and wash the bleach out! No matter which technique you choose be sure to thoroughly rinse the item to get all of the bleach out. If you throw it in the washer, be sure to wash it by itself to avoid bleaching something else.

I’ve seen posts that suggest using vinegar with the item in the wash as a way to stop the bleaching process, but other say bleach and vinegar should not be mixed as it creates a toxic reaction. So if you use vinegar be sure ALL of the bleach is out or skip this step entirely.

For some more information on reverse tie dye check out these pages:

Quick Reverse Tie-Dye

DIY Bleach Tie Dye

How To: Reverse Tie Dye

Until next time!

3D Printed Clothing: The Future of Fashion?

In today’s blog post I will be discussing 3D printed clothing and fashion. 3D printing is a big topic right now, and I’m constantly seeing news on or related to it. It started off with printed simple models and objects, but now it’s printing fabrics and even food, yes food. Seeing all the news about it, I decided to look more into 3D printed fashion and learn more about it since in a few years we might all be wearing it.

How 3D Printing Works

3D printing is a process that is similar to normal printing, but instead of putting ink on 3D Printed Headpaper it prints out a material in layers, creating a 3D object. People create computer drawings and models, which is then sent to the printer. The printer then lays down think layers of material using a laser. The printer builds the layers based on the specs in the models and drawings creating the desired object.

Creating 3D Printed Clothing

Using the 3D printing process, you can design an outfit using the exact measurements of a person, then send it to print. No cutting, sewing, weaving, knitting or other traditional processes necessary. You can print out the exact dress or item of clothing to fit perfectly. This idea has prompted many to look for more flexible or fabric like materials to use when creating different articles of clothing. A 3D printed long sleeve shirt is no good if you can’t move you’re arms.

The Dita Von Teese Dress

The most famous example of 3D printed clothing that I’ve seen is the Dita Von Teese dress. The dress was created for her by designers Francis Bitonti and Michael Schmidt, and she wore it to a conference in New York City. It was made out of a black-nylon material and was also covered in Swarovski crystals. It was printed in 12 pieces that were then dyed the desired color and then super-glued together. The chain mail design made it more flexible, to make it easy to put on and take off, and has around 3,000 independently movable joints, again to help with flexibility so she could walk and sit. (Unfortunately I could not get a picture of the dress to show you)

Her dress is not the only 3D printed item, just the most well known. One company has created a 3D printed bikini, and I’ve also seen images of 3D printed shoes. And while some items are available to the average consumer, not just the super rich and celebrities, since they are super customized for you they will still cost a pretty penny. These fashions could potentially be our future. In the future we may even be able to print our own clothing at home!

Here are some resources to help you learn more about this amazing technology, and I’d love to hear what you think about it!

LiveScience – 3D Printing Weaves Its Way into Fashion

Huffington Post – Continuum’s 3-D Printed Clothing Offers A Glimpse Into The Future Of Fashion

3D Printing Idsustry – Fashion related posts

Start Up Fashion – Textile Spotlight: 3D Printed Fabric

Forbes – 3D Printing Hits The Fashion World

Until next time!

A Look into the Past of New York Fashion Week

Fashion WeekThe Fall NY Fashion week has been going on for almost a week now, and it’s been very interesting to follow. While I’m not going there, traffic and crowds are probably a nightmare, I’ve been following online. Checking out the news, seeing pictures of collections, and connecting with others watching the event online as well.

While I was researching online, thinking about potential posts about favorite collections I saw, I got curious about how it all began. When and how did NY Fashion week start? When did it become such a big event? I wanted to know, and today I will share my new knowledge of the history of fashion week with you today 🙂

Before World War II, fashion magazines were filled with the styles and trends seen in Paris, France, regardless if it was available to average Americans or not. No one really blinked at an at American fashion, until about 1943. Because of the war and Germany’s occupation of France, journalists in the fashion industry couldn’t travel to France to see the fashion shows and get the latest scoop on styles and trends. Fashion publicist Elenor Lambert saw this as an opportunity to direct some attention to the American fashion designers, and perhaps earn a place for America in the international fashion community. Through her efforts, in 1943 they had the first fashion week in America, calling it Press Week. The results were spectacular, and the event continued through the late 50s, though at varying locations.

The first official New York Fashion Week as we know it today was in 1994, the year it moved to the white tents at Bryant Park. Before then the fashion shows has been scattered around in different warehouses and showrooms throughout the city. But after an incident in 1990, where plaster from a ceiling fell and landed on a model during a show, the Council of Fashion Designers of America decided to search for a location for the event.

And that is the basic history of New York Fashion week, one of the biggest fashion events in the world. Thank you Elenor! Your brilliance made people look at American fashion design and solidified us a spot in the fashion community.

If you want to learn more about the history of fashion week check out these pages:

Times NewsFeed: A Brief History of New York Fashion Week

Smithsonian Blog: New York Fashion Week, Past and Present

The Examiner: The History of New York Fashion Week

If you interested in seeing your favorite designers collection or when they’re showing it here’s a schedule: http://nymag.com/fashion/fashioncalendar/fashionweek/

Until next time~!

The Different Types of T Shirt Necklines

V-neckThere are so many different kinds and combinations of t shirts out there. I recently wrote a blog post on the different types of sleeves you can find on a t shirt. There are also many other aspects of a t shirt, like the neck or t shirt style and fit. Today I will be discussing some of the different necks on t shirts. When purchasing t shirts, the comfort around your neck is very important. Also, for women it’s important to stay within your comfort zone with how deep some necklines can be. Knowing the necklines that are comfortable to you will help you find the perfect one that much faster.

Round Neckline

This type of neckline is the more common on t shirts. This type of neckline should sit right under your neck. Because of wear it sits, this is the most modest type of neckline so a woman doesn’t have to worry about revealing more than she wants. However, be sure that the neck is comfortable as some round necklines can feel tight and restrictive to the wearer.

Collared Neckline

Some t shirts, like the polo shirt, have a collared neckline. This basically means that there is a collar around the neck. Most often I see these with round necklines. Usually if there is a collar on another neckline style it’s a button up shirt, not a t shirt. Be sure that the collar is comfortable, because it will be around and possibly be rubbing against your neck all day.

V-Neck

This style of neckline forms a pointed V shape at the neck, giving it more more space than the round neckline. The size of the V will vary from t shirt to t shirt. Some V-necks are shallow and stay close to the neck, while other Vs can be deep and extend several inches. Though they are available, you rarely see the deep V in men’s shirts, they are primarily a women’s fashion. The deep Vs care often paired with a tank top or Cami for a more modest look.

Scoop Neck

This particular style of neck is mostly used on women’s shirts. I’ve never seen one on a men’s t shirt, if you find one please show me! The shape of this neckline is wide and low, like the round neckline but larger and lower. This style often falls around or just below the wearer’s clavicle. Some shirts may have an exaggerated scoop that can extend to the edge of a women’s shoulder or go down her back. If a scoop goes to low on you, pair it with a Cami to make it more modest, or more towards your comfort zone. Overall this is a very flatter neckline for women.

These are the 4 most basic necklines on a t shirt. Other necklines could be a variation of one of these. If you have a shirt with a mystery neckline or I missed a favorite style of yours let me know!

Until next time.

Mod Fashion and Style Guide

Mod DressIn a past blog post, I described and looked at bohemian fashion. Today, I will be look at another fashion trend, the Mod subculture and their fashion style. This style features form-fitting clothes, unisex styles for men and women, as well as bold patterns and colors.

Mod is actually a subculture that appeared in the 1960s. This subculture focused mostly on music and fashion. Some famous people who helped inspired the fashion sense of this subculture were the Beatles, and fashion icon Twiggy. Twiggy actually talked about mod fashion on an episode America’s Next Top Model when she was still a judge on the panel.

Colors and Patterns

Mod clothing was clean and often bold. The most common colors used were black and white, and you would see hints of oranges, bright yellows, pink and the occasional pastel. Color blocking became very popular as well, which is a trend that is becoming popular again in today’s fashion. Color blocking is a technique where differed colored blocks of fabric are sewn together to create a garment with different solid colors. Mod fashion also allowed for the use of bold patterns. In England some of the popular geometric patterns were the English flag, stripes and polka-dots.

Women’s Styles

For women, this was the age of the mini-skirt. Women would wear mini-skirts and short dressed to expose as much of their legs as their individual body shaped allowed them. For ladies who preferred pants or a more androgynous style, they wore fitted pants that were typically capri or ankle length. For tops, ¾ sleeves and sleeveless were popular amongst women. Another big fashion statement was a loose sweater. Women preferred flat shoes, and an iconic shoe of this style is the Go-Go boot.

When it comes to make-up, the trend was to make your eyes look bigger with a heavy use of eyeliner, false lashes and possibly brown eye-shadow. This was about it for make-up. The mod ladies most every other type of make-up except a nude colored lip stick. For hair, short cuts that were low maintenance were the style, though hair was often styled with scarves and headbands.

Men’s Style

Men often wore well-made, slim cut, tailored suits to wear. These suits came in your basic black, gray, and brown but you could also see them in more fun, bold colors. Other popular trends were thin ties, button-down collared shirts, and interesting variety of boots, and jumpers made from wool of cashmere. Also, jeans are a no-no for a mod look.

For hair, men would grow their hair out into a moptop. It wasn’t long, but it was longer compared to other trends and styles for men. For a good example of mod hair, check out the hair styles worn by the members of the Beatles. Another mod trend is that some men, not all but some, used eye shadow, eye pencil and lipstick.

So, I looked at what mod fashion and style was when it first appeared in the 60s. Take this information and apply it to your current wardrobe, but with a more modern and fashionable twist. The main characteristics to hit if you want to dress with a more mod style today is to wear bold colors, geometric designs and have your clothing be more tailored.

Check out these resources to learn more about the mod style:

WikiHow – Dress Like a Mod

Wikipedia – Mod (Subculture): Fashion

What is Mod Style

Fifties Web: Mod Fashion