Have you tried ice dyeing? Oh my! It produces BEAUTIFUL brilliant colors and complex patterns.
At a recent group dyeing day, Dij taught us how to do it. First, she showed us various ways to bunch, scrunch, and secure the fabric. Like tie dye, the folds in the fabric affect the way the dye penetrates and they help create the patterns.
Before reaching for the dyes, Dij talked to us about color selection. She has made charts showing how each dye separates into other colors, and she keeps this in mind. (Check out the black swatch, bottom right.)
After manipulating our fabric, we placed it on elevated grids in plastic boxes and dumped a bunch of ice on top. Then, before grabbing the dyes we put on our dust masks. VERY IMPORTANT
Next we sprinkled 3 colors of dry dye powder onto each fabric.
It didn’t look too great at this point.
We toted our containers home and waited for the ice to melt. (This is why the fabric was elevated: so it wouldn’t sit in the resulting puddle of mixed colors.) Then, it was time to thoroughly rinse and dry, and voila!
Can you believe how gorgeous these 2 fabrics are?!? The one on the left was loosely scrunched. The one of the right was folded into soft accordion folds and secured with rubber bands. I love these!
To say that all this dyeing was fun would be a huge under statement. It was joyful and exhilarating!
Ellen Lindner
Wonderful results! I am assuming you used Procion dyes. I really like the two different effects you achieved; Dij knows what she is doing since she’s done so much ice dyeing. Lucky you are to have her as a resource, says Yoda.
Agree I do.:)
Yes, we used Procion.
Wow this is gorgeous! A must try!
Yes, Dianne. It’s easy and the results are usually extraordinary!
Great job, Ellen! It’s so nice to see someone else getting excited about ice dying. Your fabrics came out gorgeous!!!
Thanks, Dij. I appreciate you showing us the ropes.
I really like these fabrics but I am always intrigued by how much dye must be put on the fabrics?
Best regards of the Switzerland
You’re right, Marianne. It’s something like a teaspoon per yard. (I forget the formula.) Much more than mixing dyes into solutions.
Thank you