Yesterday I shared with you some snow dyeing where I used two dye colors. Now to show you how one dye splits into lots of colors.
For the following projects I used Dharma #154 Brushed Steel. When I used it in low immersion dyeing, this is the color I got. It’s pretty much what I expected – a beautiful gray.
Now let’s sprinkle this same dye on snow and look what I get.
I’m constantly amazed with this. Look at that purple! Here are a couple of those pieces.
And a scarf.
And a closeup of the scarf.
Yes, that is teal! Amazing. That pattern was made by the wire rack the fabric was sitting on in the dye bath.
This does not happen with pure colors. However, most fiber reactive dyes you buy with neat names will be a composite of colors. When these dyes are mixed with water like in immersion dyeing, all of those dye color particles combine and make the solid color. When they are sprinkled on snow or ice, they magically separate out which result in these surprises.
Here are a couple other examples: This piece is dyed with Dharma Forest Green #31A.
And the last is a shirt dyed with Chamois #144.
That was fun and pretty magical! When I interviewed Karen Hampton in 2010, I was amazed at the color split on her fabric. When I started dyeing the following year, I wanted to use several colors and really forgot her process. Since then I have dyed with one color a little, and will definitely play more with seeing the colors split.
OMG! Beautiful! That’s it… I’m heading out to gather some snow and try some of my mixed dye powders!
Judy, Isn’t that unbelievable!! I’ve done this before but have not had them split so wonderfully! But then the brushed steel is just an awesome color! Can’t wait to see yours.
I just love this snow dying. It is so amazing. My weaver friends has done some dying workshops, now I may have to try it too…xox
Corrine, Isn’t it just beautiful? Yes, you need to try it. If you do, let me know how it turns out. Ice works beautifully too and it’s always available. Thanks for dropping by.
That scarf is gorgeous. I don’t think I started following you until well after you started dying, so I never knew you started with snow dying. It’s really fascinating (and your bottomless mannequin made me giggle).
Rinda
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Rinda, Thank you. Yes, it all started with the snow! I do need to put some pants on her!!
Thank you so much for the good details on the colors, especially the brushed steel!
Michelle, You are so welcome. Thanks for dropping by.