If you just want to experiment a bit with dying --go to a craft shop and purchase some "air brush paint" get some pfd(prepared for dying) fabric -wet it with some "non iodized" salt water (about half cup to a gallon of water) and then put some of the air brush paint on and work it through the wet fabric (oh be sure to use rubber gloves or you will have paint on you for a month--grin) When you are happy with the way it looks, put in container (or zip lock baggie) for about 24 hours, then pull it out and pile it on a foam dinner plate to dry. This will pool some of the color in the creases of the fabric. After its completely dry, heat set. You can get some lovely fabric this way. Oh you can also work a couple different colors into the fabric and get some neat combinations.
There are some pictures on my blog. www.comequiltwithme.blogspot.com