Ice Dyeing

QCAQ Member, Cathey LaBonte was a big hit at the recent Narragansett Bay Quilters' Association show in N. Kingstown, RI.

Check out the pictures, then scroll down for instructions

           

The Results!

ICE DYEING

Materials:

1. white cotton pfd fabric (prepared for dyeing), or prewashed white cotton fabric
2. Procion MX powdered dyes
3. soda ash
4. Synthrapol
5. Ice
6. containers to dye in (plastic sweater box, Styrofoam ice chest, kitty litter box, etc.)
7. rack to put inside the container to hold fabric above melted dye/ice
8. container for soda ash water
9. dust mask, gloves
10. towels to clean up
11. cup and teaspoon – dedicated to dyeing

Steps:

1. Mix 1 cup of soda ash in 1 gal of hot water
2. Soak the fabric in this solution for 20-30 minutes
3. While you are waiting, select the dye colors you will use. 3 colors is a good number to work with per piece of fabric.
4. After soaking, wring out the fabric and place on the rack inside your container. Scrunch or fan fold your fabric.
5. Place a layer of ice over the fabric. Be sure fabric is fully covered.
6. Don your facemask & gloves
7. With your gloved fingers or the teaspoon, sprinkle approx ¼ tsp of each dye over the ice. Place the dye in a more “spotty” fashion as opposed to dumping it all in one spot or scattering it evenly.
8. That’s it for now. Leave it all alone overnight or up to 24 hours. The ice will melt and create a beautiful pattern.
9. After the waiting period, rinse the fabric in warm water until the water is just about clear. Add a little synthropol to the last rinse and let the fabric sit in that solution for 10 or 15 min. Then rinse again.
10. Machine wash the fabric & iron. Beautiful!

For additional information, please refer to Quilting Arts Magazine Aug/Sept 2011 or this blog: http://www.bloombakecreate.com/2011/02/ice-dyeing/