Ice Dyeing Cotton Kitchen Tea Towels

Fiberartsy
by Fiberartsy
10 Materials
$20
24 Hours
Easy

Move over Tie Dye, Ice Dyeing is the new, cool way to make some unique, colorful fabrics such as tee shirts, tea towels or pillow cases!See the full step by step tutorial at FiberArtsy.com (link below!)


WHAT IS ICE DYEING?

Ice Dyeing (also called Snow Dyeing) is a process that uses ice or snow along with cold water, fiber reactive dyes to create fluid or marbled patterns. The result is softer and more subtle than traditional tie dyeing.The key is the slow melting of the ice or snow which allows the dye powders to move and blend slowly.


Supplies Needed:


  • Flour Sack Towels or other fabric
  • Fiber Reactive Dyes
  • Soda Ash
  • Ice or Snow
  • Old Bucket
  • Water
  • Old Wooden Spoon
  • Plastic Tub
  • Rack (anything to raise the fabric and allow dye to drain)
  • Cardboard box (optional)
  • Dust Mask
  • Gloves
  • Plastic Spoons
  • Plastic Table Cover

Safety Note: if you are working in your kitchen, make sure and cover all of your countertops and remove any and all equipment used in food preparation.Also, NEVER use your cooking pots, pans, spoons, etc. when dyeing. The only exception to this rule is if you are using food coloring as your dye.

Set up your box so that the fabric is contained and the ice can melt into the container below.

Add the Fabric



Add the ice



Sprinkle on the dyes (use your dust mask!)
Wait for the ice to melt.
Thoroughly rinse and then wash the ice dyed fabric.

I recommend washing these towels separately the first time. That should remove any excess dye will left in the fabric.


You can find the complete step by step tutorial at FiberArtsy.com

Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 4 questions
  • Charity Charity on Jun 24, 2020

    Is there a way to do this with food coloring and vinegar?

  • Kathi Bradley Kathi Bradley on Jul 07, 2020

    how long do you soak in soda ash and sod you rinse and what temp do you soak

  • June June on Jun 24, 2022

    How much of the soda ash do you use? What and why is that used ? Never heard of it before .

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