Ice Dyeing

Some of my like-minded friends from Mountain Art Quilters, who love to get down and dirty (messy) gathered at my house for a day of ice dyeing using the microwave. I learned this technique several years back and it was life changing for me.....such beautiful results in 4 minutes. You do need to have a designated microwave which I have in my studio and moved out to the deck for the day.

It was a gorgeous, glorious day and felt so good to be working outside. I did cover everything with plastic to protect some areas and everyone brought dyes they wanted to work with..we were off and running.

It's always a sharing experience with friends, using each other's dyes when we find a color in their stash we don't have and absolutely love. We start with fabric that is wet with a soda ash solution....placed in a large micro-wavable container, 

followed by a layer of ice on top, covering the fabric so none shows and then sprinkling Procion MX dye on top of the ice. It is then covered with Press and Seal or plastic wrap of your choice and nuked for 4 mins. Larger pieces may need another couple of minutes. There is no rule of thumb but I find using 3 colors to be around the right number to create fabric that is interesting and not overdone.

Bubbly is always an added treat and holds a place of honor on the table...

A pretty view from the deck is nice also.....

After rinsing, fabrics were hung outside to dry...so many luscious pieces...

It will be exciting to see what they become.

We had some wonderful sharing of work including pieces created as a result of the online workshop with Jane Dunnewold - Eco Printing with a Heat Press.

and this beauty which features an Eco printed fabric...and

this one...all foliage from the garden...I love this technique and am anxious to see what I can come up with. Absolutely such a great day...wonderful friends, food, bubbly and gorgeous fabric...AND NOT to forget the perfect weather...Thank you Mother Nature!

...Til next time.