I'm interested in dying as well...couldn't tell you how many tie dye and batik sites I've read through in the last two weeks.
If you do happen to dye your own fabric, I would buy the "good dye" (can't think of the brand...I'll look up the website for it in a little bit) because if you use an all-pupose dye (Rit, etc) the color won't be as vibrant and a lot of it will wash out after a few times in the washer. I'm sure if anyone here tried to make a Grateful Dead shirt back in summer camp will know what I'm talking about.