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learning to master

Flowy ice dye

video demo, for getting large blooming effects on fabrics. 

One of the most challenging dye techniques for me to figure out was the long flowing ice dye effect. 

After a lot of trial and error, I have figured out a few tricks to get consistently stunning results. 

In the section below, I will document the process notes for specific items that I have dyed. This is for your benefit and also mine! It's easy to forget how I made something, and taking notes is very helpful for learning and experimenting. 

In my experience, thick sweatshirts are easier to get nice ice dye results with. After observing why, I was able to recreate the effects on thinner fabrics using polyester fleece. 

With a thinner shirt, I lay the fleece down and then lay the shirt on top of it. I scrunch all the layers together. The fleece adds bulk to the shirt fabric, so that the details will be bigger and smoother. The polyester fiber content of the fleece makes sure that the dye flows well in the cotton fabric of the shirt. 

flowy ice dye corky lorenz.gif
  • Soaked in soda ash water.

  • Spun out in my spin dryer, to make it slightly damp.

  • Folded with 2 layers of poly fleece fabric behind the shirt. 

  • Placed on a rack so the dye can drip off.

  • Ice and dye were placed on top of the shirt​

  • I let it sit for about 12 more hours after the ice melted.

Colors used:

  • peony

  • baby pink

  • indigo blue

(dye from Dharma Trading Co)

dye process corky lorenz wire basket.jpg

ice dye

Process notes

corky lorenz ice dye.png
  • ​presoaked in soda ash

  • spun out

  • folded with 2 layers of poly fleece fabric

  • dye on top of a lot of ice

  • batch time: 14 hours (I was antsy)

colors:

  • truffle brown

  • strong navy

  • wasabi​

ice dye

process notes

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