basic tools
You need artificial sinew, a puller, and a pre-washed shirt.
sinew, waxy thread
Look for waxy, flat artificial sinew. Both Amazon and Dharma Trading Company stock reliable options.
spacing between ties
Place ties at least a 1 inch apart for proper dye saturation. More space allows dye to fully saturate between ties, creating distinct lines.
keep it neat
Start with four wraps, pull tight, then add three more for nice line definition. Too many wraps will results in a mess that isn't very tight after you pull.
protect your hands
Use the puller (pvc pipe for me) and palm pressure instead of finger strength when tightening. You can place your pulling hand on a shirt or towel to slide on a table while you pull.
planned placement
Start with back of the shirt, then shoulders, then front for balanced design. 4 bunches contain the top half of the shirt. These 4 bunches look great when they are positioned toward the top when applying ice and dye.
mess it up a little
Make some of the fabric messy under the tie without overcrowding the tied sections. This helps to get some jagged, interesting lines.
wrap, but don't make knots
Pull until you feel resistance, but not so tight that the sinew breaks or frays. The sinew holds without requiring knots.
build confidence
Keep it simple the first time you try it. Start with three ties per bunch while learning the technique. If you get results that you like, you can try adding more detail, if you prefer.