1. Not Originally the idea of American Hippies from the 1960’s
Tie-Dye History
Not Originally the idea of American Hippies from the 1960’s
Originally known as “Tied-and Dyed”

2. Pre-Columbian (Peru) 500-810 AD Mudmee tie-dye
Originated in Thailand and parts of neighboring Laos.
Dyeing as a technique was known to prehistoric man, who used various plant extracts from leaves, bark, flowers, fruits and roots to colour garments.
Folding, forming and knotting gave the dye a pattern based on the extent to which the dye penetrated. 

3. India Indian method called Bandhani
Which involves tying small pints of thread
and dip-dying, resulting in designs featuring small dots.

4. Japanese created Shabori & Batik
Chinese used to tie dye garments from the 6th century called “ZHA RAN” or “JIAO XIE” which were only worn by priests & nobility.
Japanese tie dye goes back to 552 AD developing Shibori-
areas of fabric were restricted from reaching dye through
intricate patterns of stitching, tying and folding using sticks,
rocks, threads and rubber bands. VERY LABOR INTENSIVE
Used Sumi Dye to paint certain designs a patterns
which became darker after dyeing as compared
to the surrounding areas.

5. African Also used Tie-dye techniques for centuries
In the Hausa region of West Africa with the renowned
INDIGODYE pits located in and around Kano, Nigeria.
The tie-dyed clothing
It has been suggested that these African techniques
were the inspiration for the tie-dyed garments identified
with the hippie movement.

6. 1960’s Tie-Dye comes to America
“Tie-dye” is the modern term
meaning- the process of folding, twisting, pleating or crumpling fabric and binding with string or rubber bands followed by the application of dye(s). Typically characterized with bright saturated primary colors and bold patterns. manipulation of the fabric prior to application of dye
Started during the Hippie movement
Hippies wanted to escape from the strict social norms of the 50’s
Same time as the sexual revolution, psychedelic rock & Vietnam
war protesting.

7. Typical American tie-dye examples