This essay will explain a dyeing technique called tie dyeing. Tie-Dying is a technique that can be used on many different fabrics to create different effects and millions of one-of-a-kind designs; no two tie dyes are the same. I have come to become very passionate about tie-dye, using it as a means of livelihood, having owned my own small tie-dye business for years. To design a tie-dye you will need to make several handmade pleats secured with string or rubber bands and then saturated in dye for different periods of time to create different shades of colors. The different folds and tightness of the folds create different effects on the fabric to create the name tie-dye. This technique is very simple and can only be performed by small or older children. “Today we are used to synthetic dyes that are easy to use because they are safe, long-lasting and quick-setting, but in the early days dyes had to be extracted from nature. The sources of these dyes were roots, berries, flowers and leaves of a variety of plants such as blackberries, safflower, marigold, sage, indigo and many others” (Merlin Silk) Tie dyeing is a truly unique process that involves very few steps and if done correctly it can be a very exciting and rewarding experience for all ages. The first thing you will need to do is purchase or gather materials before you can begin the process. You will need a t-shirt or cotton garment (any light color will do and can be new or used), 10 - 15 different sized rubber bands (different sizes will create different thicknesses of lines), ample space on a counter or a table, a large wooden spoon or stick to mix the soda ash (laundry booster) and water, a measuring cup to measure 2 cups of soda ash (laundry booster), a … paper medium. ... ..the great thing about tie-dye is that they are all invulnerable and will have color, it just depends if you like the colors and the design you have created, at this point you will know if you have completed the tie dye process correctly. The more you create, the better you will be at bringing your projects to life and the more it will grow in you. Tie-Dye is great for all year round but is especially great in the summer because they are very colorful and can have a little color or a very bright color if desired and can be very light and comfortable depending on the fabrics which you choose to dye. Tie-dye can also be a fun activity to do as a family because it's fun for all ages and can be done outdoors with less cleanup. Works Cited (Merlin Silk) - See more at: http://www.thaitiedye.com /2008/06/14/la-storia-del-tie-dye/#sthash.cf7esKFQ.dpuf