Tie-dye is an ancient manual dyeing technique originating from the Yellow River Basin, with a history spanning 2,500 years. The process involves stitching, sewing, and bundling fabric with thread or rope before dyeing it, then unfastening and hanging the bindings to reveal unique and various patterns after drying. "Spring water tie-dyeing," however, takes it a step further—using the minerals in spring water to activate the natural pigments of Isatis indigotica (a perennial herb used in traditional Chinese medicine), resulting in richer, more vibrant hues and layered textures. This method also incorporates cultural elements of Jinan, such as its springs, lotus flowers, and willow trees, into the designs.
"Tie-dye must serve and integrate into everyday life," says Li Jie, an inheritor of Jinan's spring water Tie-dye intangible cultural heritage. In her view, Tie-dye is not some untouchable relic confined to museums; its true value shines when it becomes part of real-life settings. Under her hands, Tie-dye has transformed mere fabric into hotel rooms, skincare packaging, and other everyday spaces.
At the Spring City Hotel in Jinan, Li and her team designed an entire Tie-dye-themed suite, ranging from bedding (e.g., throw pillows) to wall art and tabletop decorations. The interplay of blue and white patterns seems to capture the flowing essence of the springs. In a collaboration with domestic brand Yilian, Tie-dye's varying shades of blue were immortalized on product packaging, which is a fusion of heritage and modern consumer goods.
To promote and preserve spring water Tie-dye, Li brings dye vats into classrooms, giving younger generations an opportunity to experience the craft. She has taught Tie-dye courses at Shandong College of Tourism and Hospitality, guiding students through the entire process—from project planning and design to dyeing and product customization since 2020.
For elementary school students, her focus is on sparking curiosity, teaching basic techniques while encouraging them to connect traditional craftsmanship with contemporary life. Nowadays, she dedicates half her time to teaching, driven not by grand ambitions but by a simple hope: Spring water Tie-dye will be discovered by more people and weave it into their lives.
Li is a catalyst and a bridge, more than a dyer in the world of intangible cultural heritage. Her sensitivity, sharpened by her background in marketing and promotion to market trends, equips her to better serve heritage preservation.
"I want to bring more exceptional crafts into the spotlight by sharing with other artisans with developing a sustainable model by Spring water tie-dye." Li understands that preserving heritage requires more than just maintaining tradition. In order to explore replicable ways to promote intangible cultural heritage and offer fellow artisans a clearer path forward, she is actively treating spring water Tie-dye as a case study. For her, this craft is both an experiment and a responsibility.
(Reporter & Videography: Hu Wolong, Yin Jianghong, Xin Ximeng (Intern); Editors: Frank, Huang Baoyi, Hu Wolong; Translator: Zeng Shiwei; English Editor: Darius）
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