Message: hi, I followed the directions on your site. Got the good dye for tie dyeing, used urea and a soda ash soak and the dye completely went through the cloth , no white areas at all. WE used rubber bands to do it. I had a tie dye party and it happened to everyones. Any suggestions?

Personally, I prefer that effect, so I always use too much dye. I used to struggle with getting too much white in my designs!

To get more white, wind the ties or rubber bands more tightly, and apply less dye. Better yet, get "artificial sinew" from a crafts store (in the leather crafts section), and use that for your tying. It is highly superior stuff for tie-dyeing. Tie it very tightly!

You do not have to apply dye to every part of the garment. Just use a little dye, if you want a lot of white.

If you want the dye to creep even less than you get with the above recommendations, you can add sodium alginate or other dye thickener to your dye water mixtures. See "Thick SH" at http://www.prochemical.com/Glossary/ThickSH.htm and http://www.prochemical.com/catalog/auxiliaries.htm .

You may also find it useful to line-dry your shirts after soaking them in the soda ash solution. Less water may mean less creeping of the dye.