If you're only just starting out I recommend Dylon machine pods or sachets," says Jess; "They're extremely affordable if dying for fun and have the sodium carbonate already mixed in." You won't need months of practice to create something brilliant with tie dye. That's the beauty of it; even beginners get gorgeous results. Bag it up and leave it for 24 hours, you can leave it for 72 if you have the time and want bold colours. This whole t-shirt will be one big bullseye with striped rings, but you can do smaller bullseyes allover or as a centre piece. Lea Scaddan // Getty Images Soak your item in warm water and then put it on a machine spin to remove the excess water, so it's damp but not ringing wet. This is especially important for designs where you want more control over the dye. "When you put the dye on, if there's too much water in there, the dye will spread too much which is when it gets murky," Jess says.

Room temperature is fine says Jess; "Don't put it outside in the sun. It does need warmth to set, but if it goes dry, which the sun would cause, it stops the dye from reacting." Any combination of the primary style colours that make up a colour chart will work together she says, particularly neighbouring complimentary colours like pink and purple. If your dye specifies a sodium carbonate soak, add that to your warm water when soaking. Simple tie dye techniques and patterns We spoke to Liverpool based tie-dye technician and artist Jess Birchall of Dyenasty Dyes to find out how to get started.I use Synthrapol to removes any excess dye, but washing up liquid works exactly the same. You can use at the end of the hand rinse and you can also put a bit in the washing machine when you do the rinse out, but only a very small amount [about a teaspoon]." Common tie dye mistakes to avoid Failing to mix or shake your dye enough will leave lumps of powder which will show up on the fabric. And, with dyes already containing sodium carbonate, once the powder and water are thoroughly mixed, you only have around half an hour to apply, so don't pre mix your dyes. TIP: You can also combine the different techniques on one item, for example a bullseye in the centre and scrunch allover the rest. Leaving to set/dry

Doing it outdoors makes the clean up easier and less risky, but indoors is fine says Jess; "You just need a plastic sheet for covering for your surfaces, wear an apron or old clothes and definitely avoid dying over carpet." Whether you're looking for a fun activity for all ages, want to copy designs you've seen on the runway, or are just looking for a way to revive greying whites in your wardrobe, you'll be tie dying in no time with these easy instructions. Ancient resist-dying techniques have a long history in Asia, West Africa and Peru. Tie dye as we know it — both the name and the rainbow psychedelic designs — came to be in the sixties and seventies, proving to be one of the most iconic textile designs of the era. Her other warning? "People cannot resist the urge to unravel everything after five minutes to see what it looks like. Don't do that." Rinsing your tie dye item There's one big no no Jess sees happen again and again: "The biggest mistake that people make, is getting too excited, untying and rinsing it before it's set. They open up it up, and it looks beautiful, and then they realise the next day that the dye has seeped because it's not had time to set, or the pattern disappears, and it turns into a big splodge."