Page 97 - The Digital Cloth Issue 6

Sandra Mollon I usually allow my fabric at least 5-10

minutes in the soda ash, and then I
Shares squeeze out excess water and set up the ice
dye.

Ice Dyeing and Overdyed Cotton and Reminder: Be sure to have on your mask

Silk fabric tutorial. and gloves while working with the soda ash
powder and solution.

To set up the ice dye, you need a drip
Supply List: ingest any dye or chemical solutions. container to allow the water from the

melting ice (or snow if you have it) to
Most Items on this list can be purchased I was introduced to ice dyeing fabrics drain away as it melts. I had on hand a
at Dharma Trading Co. in the US. several years ago by a friend who was bunch of leftover plastic storage bins of
PFD Fabrics such as cotton, silks, or tee doing it and getting some fabulous the type that can be purchased at any retail
shirts effects on fabric. That introduction store that sells plastic goods. I
Soda Ash started me on my journey. Ice dyeing is simply drilled some holes in one of them
Procion Dyes fairly straight forward and simple, but and placed that on top of another one.
Plastic Sheeting years of play with different types of They can be stacked and will easily catch
An old large stirring spoon fabrics taught me a few things. and hold the water/dye run-off in the
Plastic containers made for storage, or bottom container. (image - top right)
similar containers First, let’s start with the basics of ice
Plastic bottle or jar to hold your dye dyeing fabrics. Most all cotton, silk, and Next, squeeze out excess soda ash solution

solution other natural fabrics that take Procion and place in your wet fabric. It can be
Synthrapol detergent types of dyes will work for this process. folded in multiple ways for cool effects or
Warm water Start with fabric that is prepared for scrunched up in a loose wad or gathered
Crushed ice (about 4 cups per 1-yard dyeing (PFD). PFD fabric does not have lightly. Because of the multiple ways that
fabric) sizing and other chemical finishes that dye can dissolve, the different amounts of
Urea may interfere. If you have fabric that is dye you may add, and all of the ways the
Mask, gloves, apron or old clothing not PFD, you can use it as well, you just fabric is scrunched or folded, it is nearly
recommended need to scour it first. To scour, simply impossible to replicate your work. Thus,
wash it in a solution of hot water and a each piece of fabric is an individual work

Safety Precautions textile detergent. I use Synthrapol, but of art. You might notice that I added some
Soda Ash powder and Dye powder should Dawn ™ detergent works just as well. You plastic air bags in one end to help keep the
not be inhaled, so you must wear a mask can use your fabric wet and proceed to ice just on the fabric. (image - middle right)
that completely covers your nose and the next step.
mouth and prevents you from inhaling the Cover your wet fabric with ice. Crushed
powder. I use a good fine particle mask The fabric then has to be soaked in a ice is best, because it will cover your fabric
which can be purchased at your hardware soda ash solution. This is a step that more completely, so that the dye powder
store. Next, wear long rubber gloves and cannot be skipped, it promotes that is first dissolved in the melting ice water
old clothes, protect all surfaces with plastic chemical reaction that binds the dye to before it hits the fabric. If the dye powder
sheeting, and keep pets and children out the fabric. To make your soda ash hits the fabric first, it tends to leave rather
of the dye area. Do not use any container solution, simply mix about the soda ash unappealing small dark dots.

for food preparation after it has been used in a warm water, stir to dissolve (the (image - bottom right)
in your dye area. And of course, do not proportions are given above).