Name: jason
Message: Dear Paula, Love your helpful site! I do have a question or two regarding patterns. I can't seem to find the "spider" or the "pinwheel" anywhere. I'm relatively new to this but am getting better and I want to try some different designs but I'm finding it nearly impossible to get any kind of help in the pattern area. If I missed it somewhere on your site, I apologize. If not maybe you could share the secret? Thanx for your time, Jason

The 'pinwheel' pattern is the same as the spiral. A good explanation of how to make the spiral can be seen at Fiber-arts.com, and the fold is described on "How do you tie-dye a spiral pattern?" in the FAQ section of my website. It is also beautifully illustrated in two DVDs on how to tie dye: Michael Fowler's "Art of Tie-Dye" and True Tie Dye's "Tie-dye 101".

The 'spider' tie-dye pattern is what you get of you fold the garment in half vertically before proceeding with a standard spiral fold, with the center of the spiral on the edge of the fold. Apply different colors to the wedges of your spiral as usual, and then apply your dark 'spider' color all over it, on the back.

I strongly recommend that you consider buying the True Tie Dye video and/or 'The Art of Tie-Dye'. True Tie Dye also has a DVD on advanced tying techniques.  These DVDs will take you the next step in tie-dyeing, even if you are expert already. There's nothing quite like watching another artist show you how to do their techniques. You will find that learning other's methods will add to your own style. I find that the videos can teach a lot more than any book on how to make the folds. If you can afford it, I think that you will eventually want to acquire all three of these DVDs. If not, see if your local public library has them, or can be induced to obtain them.

You can buy all of these videos directly from Amazon or Fiber-arts.com. (If you use the links on my Book Reviews page to order, my site will receive a small percentage of the cost via affiliate programs.) I also see them listed among the DVDs available at Target, and you will probably find that your dye supplier carries them, as well.

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