What kind of dye you use on a garment depends entirely on what it is made of. T-shirts, for example, are most commonly made out of cotton. Would you dye it the same as a ball of wool yarn? Why do they sell specific dyes for tie-dyeing?

Protein (Wool, Cashmere, Silk)
• What are Protein Fibers?
• How to Dye Protein Fibers
• Learn about Acid Dyes

Cellulose (Cotton, Linen, Hemp)
• What are Cellulose Fibers?
• How to Dye Cellulose Fibers
• Learn about Fiber Reactive Dye

Synthetics (Spandex, Nylon, Polyester)
• List of Synthetic Fibers
• How to Dye Synthetic Fibers

I just want to take a minute to say that my readers are so creative. Sometimes when I post a tutorial, you guys come back with a finished creations that put a whole new spin on my original thought. It's like a one-two boxing match, but I'm always Popeye before the spinach. Keep 'em comin, I love to see what you've got going on.

So what are you into right now? Recently, I have been trying out a lot of different crafts for a book project, but at the end of the day, I am usually crocheting in front of the TV.

The crochet bucket is always hanging out in the living room, and whatever else I had going on earlier that day -be it dying, applying studs, stitching appliques- nothing can compare with the cozy notion of soft yarn in my hands and Conan on the boob tube. Maybe it's just a winter thing?

So are you really 'into' something right now? Let me know which rut you're digging and post some photos of what you've made so far.

---

- - - - - . Facebook with DIY Fashion .- - - - -

- - - -. Email Rain .- -. Upload Your Creations .- -. Chat on Twitter .- - - -

Featured Giveaway: Upcycled necklace from Earth Sense Jewelry
_{(get your giveaway featured)}

I just looked up 'Whimsical' in my dictionary, and wouldn't you know it, There was a screen shot of The Art and Tree Chatter of Aquariann blog. Okay, nobody uses a dictionary anymore, but you know what I mean. While at Aquariann's blog, I swear I was nearly transported to a sun-dappled forest clearing. Hosted by a fantasy artist and lover of all things handmade, this blog is a great spot to soak up some fairy love and find a new treasure or two.

Did you know you can nominate this blog and handmade artist for our Readers Choice Awards? Got someone else in mind? You can nominate them, too. Hurry, because nominations close February 4th!

• Get Entry and Artist Information for the Upcycled Necklace

Do you have a giveaway coming up? Post it here and I will add it to our blog and newsletter.

Like giveaways? Visit contests.about.com for advice on entering contests and sweepstakes chances to win big prizes.

---

- - - - - . Facebook with DIY Fashion .- - - - -

- - - -. Email Rain .- -. Upload Your Creations .- -. Chat on Twitter .- - - -

Featured Giveaway: Tile Necklace from Linda's Creative Box Designs
_{(get your giveaway featured)}

DIY Fashion at About.com has so many talented readers, as evidenced by the current nominees of our Readers Choice Awards.

Recently, I received word about this cute tile necklace giveaways from Linda's Creative Box Designs. The heart motif comes just in time for a Valentines Day gift. Nominate a handmade crafter for our Readers Choice Awards. You can also name your favorite crafty magazine, online handmade marketplace and more.

• Get Entry and Artist Information for the Valentine's Necklace

Do you have a giveaway coming up? Post it here and I will add it to our blog and newsletter.

Like giveaways? Visit contests.about.com for advice on entering contests and sweepstakes chances to win big prizes.

---

- - - - - . Facebook with DIY Fashion .- - - - -

- - - -. Email Rain .- -. Upload Your Creations .- -. Chat on Twitter .- - - -

Nominations are now open for the About.com Readers' Choice Awards!

On the DIY Fashion site, we will be taking nominations for your favorite independent artists and more:

• Best Crafty Magazine
• Best DIY Fashion Book of 2010
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Handmade Jewelry
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Original Clothing Design
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Geek Craft
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Knit Designs
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Crochet Designs
• Favorite Fashion Blog
• Favorite Crafty Blog
• Best Online Handmade Marketplace

Enter your nominations now. Nominations will remain open until February 4th.

Want to get more nominations from your fans? Here are buttons for your blog, shop or website that target specific categories: Nominate Me Buttons

Get the word out. Here is some copy/paste pre-fab verbage to make it easy to campaign on Twitter:
Please nominate me for the 2011 About.com DIY Fashion Readers Choice Awards! http://bit.ly/dSysxf #craft #fashion #handmade

Use this Link for Facebook Blasts and Blog Posts: http://bit.ly/dSysxf

Voting will take place from Feb. 11 through March 8, with winners announced March 15. The winners will enjoy the credibility that comes with getting recognized by the readers of a leading website owned by The New York Times Co. To learn more, visit awards.about.com.

---

- - - - - . Facebook with DIY Fashion .- - - - -

- - - -. Email Rain .- -. Upload Your Creations .- -. Chat on Twitter .- - - -

[Update:] Nominations are now open for the About.com Readers' Choice Awards!

On the DIY Fashion site, we will be taking nominations for your favorite independent artists and more:

• Best Crafty Magazine
• Best DIY Fashion Book of 2010
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Handmade Jewelry
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Original Clothing Design
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Geek Craft
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Knit Designs
• Favorite Handmade Artisan: Crochet Designs
• Favorite Fashion Blog
• Favorite Crafty Blog
• Best Online Handmade Marketplace

Nominations will be accepted starting Jan. 13, 2011. This gives you a couple of days to think about which handmade crafters, sites, books and magazines you would like to nominate.

Voting will take place from Feb. 11 through March 8, with winners announced March 15. There's no prize -- just the bragging rights that come with getting recognized by the readers of a leading website owned by The New York Times Co. To learn more, visit awards.about.com.

---

- - - - - . Facebook with DIY Fashion .- - - - -

- - - -. Email Rain .- -. Upload Your Creations .- -. Chat on Twitter .- - - -

Every now and then, my husband is required to wear a suit. It usually takes a wedding or a funeral to get him in one, so even after 28 years on earth, he still needs the occasional necktie refresher. Last summer, he graciously helped me to put together a half-Windsor knot necktie tutorial. It took us a couple of hours to get the photos, and his technique, just right. In the end, I had some great information for a tutorial and he had gleaned a new business-like skill.

This fall, I found him in the living room wrestling and cursing a tie as though someone had thrown a snake at his neck. -Insert face palm here-

Bested by mens wear, my poor addled husband could only exclaim, 'Why don't these things come with instructions?!' Maybe one day this information will stick with him, but with the magic of the internet, I doubt it.

• You don't have to remember it either. Bookmark this How to Tie a Necktie tutorial.

---

- - - - - . Facebook with DIY Fashion .- - - - -

- - - -. Email Rain .- -. Upload Your Creations .- -. Chat on Twitter .- - - -

Okay, all I can say after seeing this reader submission is that as an avid crocheter, I am seriously slacking on networking with yarn spinners. What better buddy for a stitcher than a spinner?

DIY Fashion reader, Amanda, however, is on the ball. She has a good friend Elizabeth who not only spins, but also beautifully dyes her yarn. Check out this gorgeous purple yarn that Elizabeth gave to Amanda this holiday season. Amanda says she plans on turning into a hat, and is keeping her eyes open for a good skullcap pattern. Thanks so much for sharing your story and gift photo with us, Amanda!

Even though I have too many scarves already, I think I'd use this spring color for a bright scarflette with big white buttons. Do you have any favorite pattern suggestions for Amanda?

• Did you get a handmade gift this year? Upload a Photo of your handmade goodies, we would love to see what you got and hear a bit about your talented friends and family.

---

- - - - - . Facebook with DIY Fashion .- - - - -

- - - -. Email Rain .- -. Upload Your Creations .- -. Chat on Twitter .- - - -

Glittering lights and friendly gatherings continue this weekend as we ring in the new year. There are a lot of cheap metallic paper hats you can buy, but with '2011' printed all over them, this is a one-time use item that you would be better off making yourself for free.

Learn how to make a New Years Eve party hat in a cone shape or top hat. Right here on About.com.

While everyone else straps on a dollar store hat, your handmade creation will probably be the best ribboned and feathered hat on New Years Eve.

I received a lot of compliments on these hats that I made last year, which have a lot of Victorian flair. What can you come up with based on these tutorials?

• Make a New Years Party Hat

---

- - - - - . Facebook with DIY Fashion .- - - - -

- - - -. Email Rain .- -. Upload Your Creations .- -. Chat on Twitter .- - - -

Last weekend I walked out of the house in so many layers, I felt I was back in Halloween... dressed up like the scarf, purse and coat pile that accumulates on the bed at Grandma's house during any winter party.

I am convinced that it is possible to look stylish while not freezing my buns off, so I got a little schooling from Jazmin Whitley's Winter Style video. Here, Jazmin offers some tips that gave me a few 'Aha!' moments and even some 'Why didn't I think of that?' revelations.

• Post your DIY winter style photos. I'd love to share it on our Facebook and Twitter pages to add a little inspiration to everyone's day. We'd love to see what you've come up with!

---

- - - - - . Facebook with DIY Fashion .- - - - -

- - - -. Email Rain .- -. Upload Your Creations .- -. Chat on Twitter .- - - -