Name: Sue
Message: If I want to "write a phrase" on the shirt and not have it get tye dyed...how do I do that?

You need to use some sort of resist to write your phrase before applying the dye. There are several good choices for what to use for your resist. Many can be purchased only from companies that specialize in selling dye. 

Two easy-to-find alternatives are batik wax (which must be heated to 230°F to penetrate the fabric well), or Elmer's Washable Blue School Gel Glue. Surprisingly, for such a prosaic material, the blue washable glue gel is very popular for this purpose among fiber artists. Apply it where you want to prevent dye from reaching, then let it dry completely. (A hair dryer helps if you are in a hurry.) Then dye with a cool water fiber reactive dye, such as Procion MX dye, either dipping the fabric only briefly in the soda ash instead of presoaking it for fifteen minutes, or adding the soda ash with the dye instead of presoaking. (Too much soaking will remove the glue.) Be careful that the glued section does not contact another part of the shirt, as the glue can transfer to areas where you do not need it. After the dye has set, soak the shirt in cool water and then wash in hot water, to remove the glue.

Here's an example of writing that was done with Elmer's Washable Blue School Gel: "Immersion Dyeing with Water Soluble Resist". The white writing really shows up against the bright colors of the dye.

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