Kae Learns in Public

Ice Dye Experiments

I've been experimenting with ice dye. The original impulse was figuring out what to do with the several yards of plain white fabric that went into three or four failed shirt experiments. That evolved into some quick clothing projects I can crank out over the weekend.

Ice Dye setup showing ice cubes layered over cloth. The ice cubes are sprinkled with green and red dye powder.

A basic ice dye setup involves:

  1. a layer of prepped cloth (alkali bath for cotton or rayon)
  2. ice cubes blanketing the cloth
  3. dye powder sprinkled on the ice cubes

As the ice melts, the dye disolves into the meltwater and percolates through the fabric. Contrast is created by folding, binding, or scrunching the fabric, and also by the chaotic processes of uneven dye distribution and percolation through the fabric.

circular ice-dye scarf on clothes hanger. colors vary from dark blue to red-orange. pattern is irregular linear stripes.

circular ice-dye scarf pinned in a flat view. colors vary from dark blue to red-orange. pattern is irregular linear stripes.

Circular scarf using a fan-fold pattern.

rectangular ice-dye scarf on hanger. colors vary from dark blue to red-orange. pattern is a tie dye "geode" with irregular dark blue circles.

rectangular ice-dye scarf pinned in flat view. colors vary from dark blue to red-orange. pattern is a tie dye "geode" with irregular dark blue circles.

The results feel a lot like patterns created by geological and biological processes. Supplies from Dharma Trading Company. Dye colors: rusted blue and undertow.

#crafting #diy #dying