Materials Needed

• White or light natural fiber garment (pre-washed)
• Fiber reactive dye POWDER (not pre-mixed)
• Soda ash solution
• Several bags of ice cubes
• Wire rack or colander
• Large bucket or tub to catch drips
• Rubber gloves
• Small spoons or shakers for dye powder
• Dust mask (essential for this technique)

Preparation

1. 1

   Pre-wash garment thoroughly.

2. 2

   Prepare soda ash solution and soak garment for 20-30 minutes.

3. 3

   Wring out gently - slightly wetter than usual is fine for ice dye.

4. 4

   Set up your wire rack over a bucket or tub to catch melting ice.

5. 5

   Have your dye powders ready in containers with small spoons.

6. 6

   This technique uses DRY dye powder, not mixed dye.

Folding & Tying

1. 1

   Scrunch or fold your damp garment and place on the wire rack.

2. 2

   You can use any folding technique - spiral, scrunch, or accordion folds work well.

3. 3

   The folds will create different patterns as ice melts over them.

4. 4

   For more texture, scrunch loosely; for more defined patterns, fold tightly.

Applying the Dye

1. 1

   Cover the entire garment with a generous layer of ice cubes.

2. 2

   Wearing your mask and gloves, sprinkle dry dye powder over the ice.

3. 3

   Use different colors in different areas - they will blend as ice melts.

4. 4

   Be generous with dye powder - some will wash away.

5. 5

   Let the ice melt completely at room temperature (usually 4-6 hours).

6. 6

   The slow melting creates the unique watercolor effects.

Rinsing & Finishing

1. 1

   Once ice is completely melted, let the garment sit for another 24 hours.

2. 2

   Rinse under cold water until most excess dye is removed.

3. 3

   Gradually increase water temperature while rinsing.

4. 4

   Wash alone in hot water with textile detergent.

5. 5

   The first wash may release significant color - this is normal.