The spiral design is SUPER easy, just lay the shirt (or whatever it is that you want to dye) on a flat surface. Pinch the fabric in the very middle, or wherever you want the spiral to start, and then start twisting your fingers. The fabric will spiral around as you twist your fingers. Get it nice and tight and then rubber band the fabric so it stays together as you dye it. Craft stores, like Hobby Lobby, sell tye-dye kits for super cheap, I got one for $10. Plus they come with instructions that are super easy to read.
http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83106 what type of dye are you using? direct application of dip (which is really wasteful)? what fabric?