Two versions of flower fold

This shirt was folded length wise (from collar to hem) in fourths, then folded into pleated triangles. Each corner was dyed a color.


This shirt was folded length wise, pleated into triangles. The one corner was dyed navy and the other two green.

Another Spider

This was a spider fold swirled down from the collar. One side dyed chartreuse, the other navy blue.

Silk continues

This was folded mandala style and rolled into a jelly roll and dyed two colors


This was folded into quarters, pleated from the center at an angle, rolled and dyed two colors.


This was folded into quarters, swirled from the center and dyed 4 colors.

Spider Spiral

I have been trying to figure this one out for awhile. This is my most successful attempt to date.

The shirt was folded in half with only one layer. (I found the center at neck and hem by folding the shirt arm to arm and marked it, then shook out the shirt at the marks I had made.) The spider was swirled down from the neckline. Red dye was added on one side, blue the other. I used the LWI method, adding dye to a dry shirt and pouring soda ash solution on later.

LWI beside Traditional Tie Dye

On the left is a t-shirt done with Low Water Immersion (LWI) technique and on the right a t-shirt done traditionally. They are the same brand, both pre washed (scoured) and folded in a 'spider' spiral, twisting up toward the neckline; both dyed with the same blue and green dyes, blue on one side, green on the other.

The LWI shirt was dry when I squirted on the dye and I added the soda ash after about an hour.

The tradional shirt was pre soaked in soda ash, spiraled than dyed.

Both were batched overnight...the LWI in it's own bucket, covered and the other in a plastic bag. (The LWI may have been at a lower temperature.)

Paula Burch

I cannnot get enough of Paula Burch! She is a chemist/dyer who has shared her knowledge and expertise with many a dyer. She patiently answers questions about dyeing that often seem to come from left field.

She has a Facebook page.

Plan on spending hours exploring her her multi layered website. While you are there check out the Dye Forum community.

If you can't find the answer her...you don't know the queston! Her site and input were of great help to me when I was working on a 4 day curriculum for a summer program for kids at my local junior college.

PRO MX Reactive Dyes

Check out the Pro Chemical & Dye site for detailed information about the type of dye I use for tie dye. I lurk on many dye lists and this site keeps coming up again and again.

Silk scarves

I love to dye silk. This is navy and tourquoise.

This is navy and green.

This is navy, deep purple, and chartruese.

Dye placement for a spiral

This photo is the 1st stage of a hybrid tie dye and low water immersion (LWI.)

See how the dye is applied in 'pie' shapes.

I applied the dye to a completely dry shirt, folded in a traditional swirl from the lower front corner. I let it sit for an hour or so then added a solution of soda ash and hot water. I added enough water to cover the item in the bucket.

This is the end result.

I only applied dye to one side of the item. That is why there is so much white.

Results of recent dye session

This is a shirt I pleated vertically then rolled into a jelly roll and dyed as you would a spiral(in pie shapes.)


I like the distintion of top and bottom...totally unintentional!


This is a 'spider' swirl. I like the shape at the top.

{A 'spider' swirl...the shirt is folded in half and swirled from the fold.}