Experiments in Ice Dying

There is a much more immediate gratification in ice dying than in working on a huge quilt. Well, except for the 24 hour delay… It is also easier to set up a series of experiments in ice dying to see which is my favorite technique.

So I used the same folding sequence, same fabric and (roughly) the same triad of colors: blue, green, and a brown. Then I experimented with how much drainage the ice dye had and whether and applied the dye on top of the fabric and then placed the ice on top. So, I wound up with four variations.

Managed two additional experiments - tried out using Essex linen in one attempt and went back up to a half yard piece. I did switch out the colors and tried ice first and then the dye on the ice. I’ve decided that using the soda ash first, drying, and then folding is working best for me. I think that I prefer the way that the dye flows through the dry fabric.

Next up: an experiment with a utility fabric. I’ve also been reading up on my origami techniques with and eye on the folds produced.