Ice dyeing

We are having a dyeing "show and tell" at our next Sunday meeting, but had a taster in advance at our  Sunday meeting on June 10th.  In view of the weather we're having the moment, ice dyeing seems a really good idea.
The full method is given below - thanks to Shirley for all of this.

The dye+ice on fabric

The results!

Shirley writes:

ICE DYEING

Materials Needed:  A range of natural fabrics such as cotton and silk.  I did use some synthetic and they came out well too.

I used plain fabric except for a couple of pieces that were left over material from curtains.  Experimenting is part of the fun of it all.

Equipment:  One rack (as used in baking but note that once used with dyes cannot be used with food again), a cat litter tray or an old washing up bowl.

A bag of frozen ice (much easier to buy from the supermarket).  A vessel such as a bucket to hold the soda ash.  Dylon cold water dyes (easily accessible in Wilkos, Stermat).  Gloves.  Spoon.  Soda Ash.  

A suitable tool (old wooden spoon or a stick) to stir the soda ash into water.  A mask – wear when mixing the soda ash and applying the dyes as they are in powder form.

Method: Using gloves and wearing mask put 1 cup of soda ash into one gallon of water, stir until dissolved. 

Place the fabric into the soda ash water and soak for 30 minutes.

Place the grill on top of the bowl/cat litter tray.  Take the material out of the soda ash water and wring out the excess.  Then fold or scrunch the material as you please and place on top of the grill.

How you arrange the material is up to you and it is good to experiment.

Now cover the material with ice.  Then using the spoon take a half teaspoon of one colour and sprinkle over the dye in a way that pleases you.  Go on to your second colour in the same way.  Use as many colours as you would like.  Best not to put too many colours in one area as it will turn to a muddy colour.  Some say it is best to use three colours.  I can’t remember exactly how many I used but I did keep them separate though it was nice to see the colours blended where they met.  In the pictures you will see how I covered my fabrics with the ice and dyes.

Stand back and wait until all the ice has melted.  Then, using gloves, rinse out the material until the water runs clear.

You can then use this material for projects – such as book making or a needle case and as a base for machine embroidery.

Have Fun.