Showing posts with label ice dyeing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ice dyeing. Show all posts

Friday, August 5, 2011

ICE DYEING

There was an interesting article in the latest issue of QUILTING ARTS Magazine about Ice Dyeing.  That's the August/September 2011, Issue 52.


I have a large tray that I used for wetting paper for printing, but I had a hard time finding some kind of screen to put on top of it.  We ended up taking apart an unused baby-gate and I used on side of it over the tray.  It worked okay, it's major downfall being that the ice can fall through the large holes.  I would suggest a window screen or a shelving rack with smaller holes.


So, first you soak your fabric in a soda ash solution.


Then the art here is in how you fold the fabrics.  I tried several different ways, even just bunching it up.  Then I put them all on the screen close together.



Then pile on ice cubes.
 
Then sprinkle on the dry dye pigments.  I used three different colors.

 




 
Isn't that beautiful!
I found myself sitting there staring at the beautiful colors as the dyes ate into the ice and started to melt onto the fabrics.
Then I realized I was sitting there watching ice melt and I got up and went to do something productive.


The next morning, the ice is melted.  I rinsed out the fabrics and hung them up to dry.


Depending on how you fold them, you get some interesting results. 












Great fun!