Now for the second technique. For this one I used less dye. I love the intense colors I got but wanted to see what they would look like using less dye which equals less cost. If you prepared your fabric as I did in this post, you are ready to move on to this new technique.
For this process, I piled the snow on top of the material in the container. Instead of mixing the dye with the snow, I sprinkled the dry dye onto the snow. Here is one where I sprinkled Forest Green and Golden Yellow. I sprinkled 1/2 teaspoon per color onto the snow. The fabric is again left to sit, covered 24 hours. Follow the procedures for rinsing in the last post HERE.
For that fabric and one other, I folded and rubber banded the material before placing it in the container. Notice I am wearing gloves.
I just folded the fabric back and forth and then secured with rubber bands.
These next two photos are the finished pieces that were folded and secured with the rubber bands. Please excuse the blue painter tape I used to secure to the door.
This yellow one I grabbed in the center and twirled the fabric around before placing in the container.
Now to my 1/2 yard each of canvas. For the first one I sprinkled 1/2 teaspoon each of three different dyes. I just scrunched the fabric into the container – no folding or tying.
For this next one, I sprinkled 1/2 teaspoon each of Forest Green and Raspberry, and just a tad of Golden Yellow.
The canvas material was much brighter but I also was using the same amount of dye for this half yard that I did for the yard of muslin.
I found that this process was much cleaner than the first one. There was no slopping of the snow all over the laundry room. I love all of the surprises. My only regret is that I didn’t have larger pieces of canvas!
I’m not done with this technique yet. I’m sure I’ll be doing more before the snow ends. However, if you don’t have snow this can be done by making your own snow with a snow cone machine. I want to experiment also with ice and frozen fabric.
I hope you have enjoyed these snow tutorials. This is really fun and the results are just breathtaking and I’m just a novice. If you try these techniques, I’d love to see you material.
Lovely fabrics, Lynda…just lovely. What will you do with them now?
Kathy, Thanks. I’d love to make a wallhanging out of the green and yellow one since it looks like trees to me. Placemats possibly. My friend Marsha suggested valances. I love your little bags – I might attempt to make a few of those. I’ve wanted to make some journal covers so that’s another option. I want to wait to see what we make in your workshop before making any decisions! Can’t wait!!
The fabrics you show are really attention getters! I love both the colors and the patterns you have made. But I am concerned about the safety of sprinkling dye powder directly on snow, inside your house. I understand that some dye powders could be very harmful if inhaled, even in small amounts. You wear a respirator, but some of the fine powders escape into the air, and will eventually settle in the room or be circulated in your heating system. Can you do the work with the powders outside, and then bring the containers inside to melt?
Nancy, I am very careful with dealing with the powder. (I make soap and take all the necessary precautions with the lye.) Whether I would sprinkle it on snow or mix it with water the issue of the powder in the air is there. Everything I’ve read says to just be real careful however you use it. Your idea of working with them outside is an excellent idea and bringing the containers in to melt is probably a good healthy alternative. Thank you for your comment.
In regards to the concerns about airborne dye particles, Elin Noble recommends the use of a mixing box in her book of dyeing techniques, the name of which escapes me right now, naturally! Google her name, and the book should pop up easily. There are instructions for an easily made mixing box, and great dying techniques too!
Sandie, I’ve heard of that and it is a good idea. I’ll check out her info. Thanks for dropping by. Lynda
My fiber arts group just played with this technique on Wednesday and I chose to dye wool yarn and it came out quite lovely. Such a simple technique and so fun. I can’t wait to do it again! I will try handspun Alpaca yarn next.
Morticia, So glad it worked out for you. I’d love to see the stuff your group dyed. Lynda
Thanks for sharing your snow & ice dyeing technique. I love the results!
Judith, Thanks!