Never dyed anything- wanna start

[Stone Cold]

 As the title says, I have never dyed anything, well my fingers but not on purpose but that's another story.
I'd like to try and make some T-shirts. I've read alot of stuff and think I can do it. Is it as easy as it looks? How do you know where to put the dye, how much to use and any other tips you could pass would be greatly appreciated. I find it much easier to ask HOW than to screw it up then find out EVERYONE knows NOT to do what I just did 
My GF likes hearts so I will eventually be trying those.
Ray

[tiedyejudy]

Hi, Ray!  Welcome to our forum!  As I recall, the first thing I did when I started learning how to tie-dye was to practice on some squares of cotton.  I had some very basic tieing instructions in a starter kit.  I tied several squares with different methods, then I used one color to dye them.  That gave me a little insight into how the ties resisted the dye.  Probably the next thing I tried was a simple swirl pattern.  If you visit the tie-dye wiki, you will find great visual instructions on how to tie the different patterns.  With the swirl, you can use one color of dye on each side, or a different color in each section of the tied pattern (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, for instance).  One thing I have learned since I started is that it is beneficial to use a thickener in your dyes if you are using the direct application method (squeeze bottles).  This gives you better control over the flow of the dyes. 
A couple of other thoughts:  DO wear rubber or latex gloves when you are dyeing or rinsing your garments!  I also keep a bucket of clear water nearby so I can rinse my gloves frequently to remove dye that might smudge the item I am dyeing.  Make sure you clean up thoroughly after you dye... spilled dye can stain anything it touches. 
If possible, get a copy of Tom & Martine's videos on dyeing.  They show how to fold, and how to apply the dyes for a number of different patterns.
Above all, enjoy the process! 

Judy   

[Stone Cold]

Are there any stores that carry supplies? I have found some starter kits on the web but would like to be able to just go and buy.
How do you get really defined lines and such? Again, I read that you can tie,rubber band,and stitch(?) what is the outcome of each method? I'm a avid Jeeper too. I would like to be able to maybe combne the 2 into some cool Jeep shirts. So can you dye a printed Tshirt?
Or should you put on a transfer after dyeing? Sorry foir asking all the questions, but I can learn faster by asking.
Ray

[steve]

Hi--

You can often buy kits from stores like WallyWorld or craft stores. They are not good buys at all and you are probably best off buying from ProChem or Dharma. You will get much more for your money. Frankly, even their kits are not the best deal. Just buy the dyes, thickener (optional but highly recommended--this is almost never included in a kit) and the soda ash and get the rest from where ever you can find the items. Squirt bottles from a dollar store.

You can dye shirts that have been printed or print after--both will work.

Steve

[Stone Cold]

Hi--

You can often buy kits from stores like WallyWorld or craft stores. They are not good buys at all and you are probably best off buying from ProChem or Dharma. You will get much more for your money. Frankly, even their kits are not the best deal. Just buy the dyes, thickener (optional but highly recommended--this is almost never included in a kit) and the soda ash and get the rest from where ever you can find the items. Squirt bottles from a dollar store.

You can dye shirts that have been printed or print after--both will work.

Steve

funny, I left after I posted and didn't read your answer. Well, I bought a kti from a craft store. Saw them at Wally world too.
I guess it's the learning curve 
I ordered a catalogue from Prochem and I think Dharma. Where do you get the stuff to wash the shirt first?  What is the thickner? Or is it called dye thickner? Guess I need to go read some how to's cause I'll be trying this in the next few days- possibly. Depends on how work goes. I'm a commercial carpet installer.

[ktaltre]

If you are new to tiedye, spend a little money, try the phatdyes.com dvd. I wrote a review in the books, videos, media section.
Dharma and ProChem have a lot of information on their websites. The Dharma catalog is also very instructional in itself.

Synthrapol is the detergent that many use to wash the fabric before and after dyeing. You don't neccessarily need to use it; a lot of dyers don't, but I'm a believer, and you don't need to use very much of it - a tablespoon or two in a washer load is plenty.

Sodium alginate is the dye thickener, but one uses very little of it for tiedye. You can get all the tie dye ingredients from ProChem or Dharma. It sort of depends on what part of the country you live in; Dharma is on the west coast and ProChem is on the east coast.

I would definitely spring for a dvd, either Fowler's "The Art of Tie-Dye, True TieDye's, or Phatdyes. All three are excellent; all three compliment each other. I think the Phatdye dvd might be better for beginners.

And of course, the tie dye wiki is a good resource too.
k. taltre

[ecilA]

You can also use a premixed thickener called super clear but unlike most here, I don't think you need to use a thickener at all, you can, you don't have to.

The best place to go from here is to jump in and try it.  All the reading about dyeing is great but once you get your hands wet you'll have a much better idea of what these instructions have been telling you. Start with a simple scrunch design to get a feel for applying dye, go ahead and make a heart, again, the doing will really help you understand the process in a concrete way.

Have fun!

[pburch]

Be careful with the kits sold in crafts stores. Some contain good fiber reactive dyes, but some contain all-purpose dye, which requires extended simmering in a nearly-boiling water dyebath for best results, so it's a major pain to apply, and even then is very poorly washfast. You need fiber reactive dye for easy-to-apply, bright, long-lasting tiedyes.

Brands of tie-dye kits that contain decent fiber-reactive dye include Tulip, Rainbow Rock, and Jacquard; the Jacquard tie-dye kits are the best you're likely to find locally. There is also a Dylon tie-dye kit which is probably not bad, but I have not seen it in stores in the US. Rit is the brand of kit that contains the wrong type of dye.

It's easier to find good quality dye when you mail-order, and the prices per garment are much better.

Paula

[Stone Cold]

 1 down. 1 on the way. I'm gonna post up the results.
ok, they are posted in the gallery section
http://itiedye.com/smf/index.php/topic,337.0.html
if that works. Please tell me what you guys think.
Oh and keep in mind, it's my first one.