To see examples of what other people are making, here's the facebook group.
How to use soda ash. This is a step in the process of tie dye that you can't skip. When dyeing natural fiber fabrics, with MX procion dyes, you have to use soda ash. When dyeing geodes, most people will tie the shirt, and then soak it in soda ash solution, before applying dye.
PDF Tutorial for download. You can find most of this info in my videos and website, but if you want a PDF to download and read in one place, you can get it on Etsy.
Crisp tie lines with geode style
If you are drawn to the look of the geode style because of the lines, you'll need to use a thick waxy thread called "artificial sinew." Some people have success using rubber bands or zip ties, but I ran into more problems with those alternatives.
The goal is to wrap the sinew around a bunch of fabric, and then pull it really tight. You don't need to actually tie any knots. The thread locks down on itself once it's pulled tight. Just wrap 4-5 times, pull tight, then move on to the next bunch. You also don't need to cut the sinew between bunches.
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.
