needles & tying materials

[ktaltre]

If you are going to use a needle on knit material (tshirts) use ball point needles. You can get ball point needles for the sewing machine and for hand sewing. The ball point needle slips in between the fibers of the knit and should not make a hole (they are made specifically for knits).
I use polyester thread for the resist thread, with the needle; it doesn't dye and is strong. I'm trying a thread called "bottm line" from superior threads right now - it is really thin, but I can't break it with my hands.
I'm now using sinew as well as string, although I keep going back to the string. I've been reading comments here that people don't like the sinew - that it slips. I have found that waxed sinew has "tooth" and sticks to itself. I do use a loose finger (a ring finger) to hold down the first tie to establish the knot.
Did you know there are different weights of sinew? I've found heavy, medium and light; the light is very much like dental floss.
Can someone suggest a type and/or a size of rubberband? And where to aquire them? Are there special tiedye rubberbands? I think rubberbands may have their place, but I just hate to snap myself!
k. taltre

[ecilA]

I love using sinew and as you said, it can stick to itself nicely if used properly. I'd like to get a tutorial on the wiki about this as there are some issues with safety when using sinew and would like to use pictures to illustrate the proper technique but it's been a busy time lately, I'm on a daily dyeing schedule and it impedes my time to write tuts. 

 I don't use sewing for any of my tie-dyes though have considered toying with it, thanks for the tip on the needles.

About rubber bands: we purchase them at business stores, you will find a variety of sizes and good quality.  I'd say resist those you find in dollar stores or at great sale prices.  My experience with them has been painfully educational.  Cheap rubber bands tend to break.  OUCH  But rubber bands are great for so many things, they are a necessity in my tie-dye supplies.

[tiedyejudy]

Can someone suggest a type and/or a size of rubberband? And where to aquire them? Are there special tiedye rubberbands? I think rubberbands may have their place, but I just hate to snap myself!
k. taltre

I bought a large package of 3 " x 3/8" (size #32) rubber bands at Office Depot several years ago, and have been re-using them ever since, rinsing off between uses.  Only recently have I had a rash of them breaking... they do have a shelf life.  They work great for swirls.   I also use the small bands you get on radishes in the grocery store for my infant garments.  They don't last as long, but they are the right size for little things.   

[ecilA]

oh gosh, totally missed the size info request.  Adding to Judy's, I use a variety of sizes, it really just depends on what I'm doing, like recently I had heaps of 10oz hoodies to dye and had to use what are they 64s?  Very big and thick, but even the high quality 32s were snapping on me.