Did you say you don’t have snow and want to do some dyeing? Well, before I put up my dyeing stuff, I thought I’d try one more type of dyeing – ice dyeing. For those of us who don’t have snow or would like to try this in the summer, this is an alternative.
Please read my getting started and my fabric dye precautions posts before attempting this or any fabric reactive dye project.
Since Judi had suggested I set my fabric up out of the dye, I tried that this time. I set a metal rack on top of cat food cans which I put into my dyeing container. I then folded my material and placed it on top of the rack.
Folded fabric on rack
I topped the fabric with ice cubes.
Ice cubes on top of fabric
I then sprinkled dye powder over the snow. Be very careful with this powder. Refer to my fabric dye precautions post.
Green, Raspberry and Yellow Dyes over ice cubes
Follow procedures as other dyeing. Cover and move to a warm area. Wait 24 hours. This is what it looks like after 24 hours and before washing it out.
After 24 hours
Now to rinse, wash and dry. Follow the procedures HERE.
And this is what I got from this ice dyeing. Click on picture for larger view.
Finished Ice Dyed Fabric
I am so pleased with this piece. It may be one of my favorite pieces. I’d love to see if you try this. Now I need to get the sewing machine going!
That piece is absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait to see what you make from all of the died fabrics you have been making.
This piece is gorgeous Linda! I have never dyed by sprinkling the powders….so now you get to be the expert on this technique!!!
Robin, Thanks! Now the pressure is on for me to actually create with them!!
Thanks. Not sure about expert!!
This is great, good to know that you don’t have to wait for snow to use this technique! The colors in this are gorgeous!
Kristina, I know and you can even do it in the summer!! The colors did turn out so vibrant. You sure could sew up some beautiful things.
Just came back from holiday to find your site. Your fabric turned out beautiful, really nice
. Thanks for posting the pictures of how you did it. I’m going to have to try using ice at some point but I’m spoiled with all the snow so have been to lazy to try it yet but your results are inspiring.
Karen, Welcome back! Thanks for the compliments. The great thing about the ice is that it can be done any time! Thanks for dropping by.
I am sure you will sew some beautiful things with that fabric too Lynda!!
It’s beautiful. Can’s wait to try it.
OMG! That is too cool! I can’ wait to try this technique. Your fabric is gorgeous.
Suggestion: For those of us who use liquid dye – make different colored ice cubes in an old ice cube tray, after they are frozen place them the colored ice cubes on the fabric and let them melt. I don’t know if you will get the same effect but I am going to try.
Thanks for sharing a very unique method of dyeing.
Catherine, That’s a great idea! I’d love to see how that turns out. Thanks for dropping by.
Thank you!!! I just did the snow dying and was so sad that I won’t get snow like that again for 20 years. I will run right out and give this a try. I am SO excited.
Lucy, Let me know how it turns out! I found that the colors were even more vibrant!
Wow! How amazing! Never thought of ever using ice in creative dyeing!
Beverly, I hadn’t either but the snow was gone. I still had more fabric I wanted to play with and I thought why not try ice? If it didn’t work I’d just chalk it up to experience. But it did! Thanks for dropping by.
AMAZING results, I am definitely trying this! Did you use MX dye powder?
Natalie, Yes I did. the same dyes I used for my snow painting posts. I was pretty amazed at the results.
Oh my goodness! I tried this technique with AMAZING results, your directions were spot-on! Although, I didn’t have overnight to let it sit, so I was only able to let it sit for 2.5 hours, and I used a hairdryer to speed up the process. Thanks so much for your tutorial, changed my life!!!
Here are pictures of my results: https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2248181&id=46200843&l=63f19db8ec
Natalie, So glad you tried this technique. And yours are absolutely beautiful!! You are so welcome. Thanks for sharing! Lynda
I really want to try this and then sew a dress out of it. With different colours though, maybe seafoam green/blue/white.
Danielle, That would be really pretty! Be sure and let me know if you decide to try this. I’d love to see that dress.
Why did I come here? Now I want to get back into dyeing fabrics and quilting again!! Beautiful results from such a unique technique.
Chris, Well it serves you right! You got me all interested in knitting!
Wow. That came out really nice.
Love it!!! Trying this technique right now… But I’m leaving it out in the sun to melt the ice.. We’ll see how it turns out! So excited that I found this technique. This is my first experience with using MX dyes. After I stumbled upon this I just had to go out and buy the dye!! Can’t wait to see the results
Missy, Let me know how that works. That sounds like a great idea on the technique.
Would this work with Kool-Aid powder? I have kids & pets in the house, so I don’t use anything toxic.
Thanks!
Badmsm, I really have no idea, but doubt you’d get these intense colors with Kool-Aid. However, I found this tutorial online you might want to try. http://www.education.com/activity/article/Make_Kool-Aid_Tie_Dye/ Sounds easy and a fun and safe activity for kids. Thanks for dropping by.
I just ordered some dyes from Dharma last week, waiting for them to arrive. I can’t wait to get this a try, the fabric turned out so beautiful! Thanks for sharing it. now off to see your other dying techniques.
Brenda, I’d love to see how your fabric turns out. I was just amazed at how bright the colors were even compared to the snow dyeing. I just got it back from Quilting Arts so I’ve not done anything with it yet. It’s so pretty I hate to cut into it!!
Wow. Great. I will try that this winter. It will be the first time I am waiting for snow.
Thanks for the tutorial.
Birgitt,
Thanks. But you don’t have to wait for the snow with the ice cubes!! Lynda
Now that is absolutely stunning! Your ice cubes dyed fabric is so pretty! Thank you for sharing this, you talented woman! I will have to try this technique for the back of a very bohemian quilt that I am just finishing!!
Gorgeous art! Just frame it!
Deborah, Would love to see the back of your quilt!
Diana, Thanks so much. Thanks for dropping by.
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Lynda, it was so nice meeting you at quilt day. I love your blog and especially the ice dying technique. I am “dying” to try it!(I know that pun is over used but still who can resist it?) I am working on a new dying technique for felted wool that I will have to share with you. Again, it was very nice meeting you! Dawn Westfall
Hi Lynda,
I’m doing a dye project for chemistry class and I really want to try out your awesome idea. However, we’re restricted to using natural dyes. Do you think that natural dyes would work with this method? If so, any recommendations?
Thanks!
Meredith, I don’t think the ice would work with natural dyes. Here is a post on did using Perilla – http://www.bloombakecreate.com/2011/07/dyeing-with-perilla/. I was disappointed that the material was so light. But, it’s worth experimenting. Maybe, one of my readers who dye with natural dyes can chime in. I’d love to hear how your project works out! Please let me know. Meanwhile I will read the old dyeing book I picked up in Hawaii that is all about dyeing with natural fibers.