I recently stumbled across this video, and knew my next tie-dye project needed to made with Ice. So Cool. They have a neat watercolor effect that I have never gotten with regular tie dye. With pillows as gorgeous as the ones featured, I need to try this cool tie dye technique.
How to Ice Dye – DIY.
– Click HERE for the written tutorial at Yen Mag. –
* Photo / Watercolor pillows by: DENY Designs watercolor artist Jacqueline Maldonado. From top to bottom: RISE 1 throw pillow, ARPEGGI throw pillow, ARMOR throw pillow
Who is going to try ice dying with me? It looks like the PERFECT Summer project! And I know I’ve got some left over fit dye hanging around :).
Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…
Happy Sewing!
I can’t tell you how much I love this technique! I can’t wait to use!!!!!!
Those pillows are GORGEOUS, which is why I was disappointed at the end of the video to find that the ice-dyed fabric looked more like slightly diffuse tie-dye. I followed the DIY link to yenmag.net, and found a few more samples that looked more like the video, along with the same beautiful pillows and a t-shirt that was pretty clearly a digitally printed photo of clouds.
After a little google image search detective work, I found that the reason why those pillows appear to have such a beautiful watercolor effect is because they actually *are* watercolors–digitally printed images from scanned (or photographed) watercolor paintings by artist Jacqueline Maldonado (http://www.jacquelinemaldonado.com).
You can actually buy those pillows (or a host of other items like iphone cases and dog bandanas) printed with her designs at Deny Designs. For example, here’s a page of all of the products they sell printed with the first design shown above: http://www.denydesigns.com/collections/art-products/at-rise-1. If you click her name on that page, you can see all of her designs.
If you want to create the look yourself, you could use the same method, painting wet-on-wet watercolors on paper, then scanning the image and printing with a service like Spoonflower (for fabric, wallpaper, wrapping paper, or decals) or Zazzle (for finished products like pillows and mugs). For direct dyeing fabric to similar effect, I don’t think ice-dyeing will do the trick. Hand-painted silks can work well (see the works of Ellen Brook, for example: http://www.ellen-brook.com/). For a more “DIY” process that starts to approach the look, the are tutorials out there using sharpies and rubbing alcohol (http://www.google.com/search?q=sharpies+and+rubbing+alcohol–note the first google image link is those same pillows–but they’re not made this way, either!)
Anyway, I hope that helps!
You can do it like the pillows, just like anything else; you have to practice and develop your own style. Use less dye powder randomly and more ice. It doesn’t take much dye at all if you want this effect. Why not be happy someone is even showing you the technique and experiment a bit before being so critical. I did it several times and did get this effect. Thanks for sharing Jess. Loving the results.
Thank you! Your tip just saved me hours of frustration!
Yo Jessica
I was looking at creating those pillows for my tiny studio shop. I had already invested in a load of scarves and was JUST about to purchase a ton of dye etc when I read your comment. You are a life saver!! Onward to the sharpies! Thanks so much for commenting!
http://www.facebook.com/buttercupandfate
Its too good and innovativr
This is the NEATEST idea! I am pretty obsessed with the whole water color trend and this is like bringing it to life via pillows! I cant wait to give this a try for some throw pillows!
I agree with Jessica’s comment. Rit would not produce the effect you’re looking for. When in art school I did a lot of exploring with this effect on canvas. I ended up mixing actual water colors and diluting acrylic paint ( art kind, not craft). Because canvas is primed with gesso, the paint sits on top and takes a while to air dry. Basic canvas can also have coating . However, you will get this watercolor effect. I often painted water blobs on the canvas and then dipped the diluted colors in it with different hues to get the rainbow swirl effect. If you use regular water colors you do have to coat it with a protectant (gel medium, etc). If you just do diluted acrylics, you do not. Btw I didn’t use any fancy art brands, just the cheapest ones I could find since I was experimenting. My painting still sits prominently on the wall of the living room.
I forgot to mention that water soluble oil paint also works ( probably is the best option). It’s a little more expensive though.
While the idea of sharpies and rubbing alcohol is s cool idea, it doesn’t work as well as you think. If done on material that will be washed, it doesn’t hold its bright colors for long. Was a fun kids project, but I wouldn’t do it again for anything to keep long term.
I work at a fabric store and a customer told me of this technique. I like the concept but I don’t like the idea of fabric dye. I’ve done tea dying before. Has anyone thought of or tried this technique with instant tea mix? Opinions, please.
Dharma sells a pigment dye that works great for wet-on-wet painting, especially on silk.
Actually, I have done quite a bit of ice dyeing on yardage and it turned out really fabulous! It does take a little bit of practice but do not discount the beautiful results!
If you use fiber reactive dyes and a thickener like sodium alginate (I use the print base they sell at dharma trading) you can get the type of effects seen on those pillows.
What would happen if you put the dye in the ice tray with the water and froze them, then arranged them for melting on the fabric? (that’s the idea I got.. not just splashing the dye on the ice covered fabric.)
Sounds more like ‘ice dying’ to me.
In order to get the watercolor effect, you have to do the accordion fold! It’s really easy… Then pay close attention to where you place the color! Happy dying, folks!!
I am so inspired! Fiber/frabic dying for fifty years and I can’t wait to go to the dye cabinet and begin.thank you.
Where do I get the special ice cubes they mention in the video? How about the soda ash? I did not see it on Dharma. I have been using the SetaSilk fabric paints, as well as the SetaColor fabric paints for watercoloring, but still have not gotten these results. Any suggestions on how to apply to get more of the results like the pillows with Seta Color fabric paints?
I’m a fiber artist and use a variety of hand-dyed techniques all the time. Ice dying is tons of fun because what you get at the end is a surprise! The surprise at the end us the point of this dyr technique.
My tips:
Use quality dyes and chemicals easily available thru Dharma Trading. Rit dye results look washed out and will fade into nothing.
Look at a color wheel as you place your dyes on the ice, for example orange next to purple will give you brown in the area where the colors overlap. Brown isn’t bad…just know that it’s coming.
Don’t give up after your first try. Learn from it and make it even better.
If you want similar results, but with more control over the finished results, try the dye technique called low water immersion.
Also consider what fabric you’re using. A tight weave will allow for better dye migration. A loose weave like linen will not.
I have been ice dyeing since early 2011 and wrote the first article on the technique in Quilting Arts August/Sept 2011 issue. In order to get beautiful colors you need to use fiber reactive dyes and they are best used dry (although you can add water to the dyes for a different look). Just for fun I tried using Tulip Dyes since a lot of my blog readers are nervous about using fiber reactive dyes, and the dyes were way too weak because the mordant (what makes the dye stick to the fabric) is already in the dyes so you get less dye. If you are interested in knowing more about ice dyeing, I have several tutorials on my blog:http://www.bloombakecreate.com. I also have a webinar in the Interweave shop on sale today!
This is a great tutorial! thank you for sharing 🙂
I own a small art business and recently started the Hippie Baby line of clothing and decor for babies and kids… I am considering incorporating some tie dyes into my outfits and fabrics.. this is a great technique I will definitely try it 🙂
Hippiehappybaby.etsy.com
Peace,
Olga
Muy linda técnica, voy a intentar hacerla pronto. Gracias.
So pretty, I tried something similar. You can check out my tutorial here: http://www.craftylittlegnome.com/2016/01/15/how-to-ice-dye/