Gravity Ice Dyeing

Gravity! There are more fun ways to learn about it than taking an apple to the head! This technique uses the same materials as regular ice dyeing but with the addition of some props to allow the melting ice to flow and move the dye on the garment with the help of gravity.

Shopping list:

• Dharma Fiber Reactive Dyes
  (We used #14 Coral Pink, #155 Amber Waves, #166 Watermelon, #169 Razzle Dazzle and a bit of #183 Lime Pop)
• Soda Ash
• Dharma Dyers Detergent
• Dust Mask
• Gloves
• Plastic tubs
• ~7 pounds of ice cubes
• Dyeables Women's Racerback Tank and Phone Pocket Leggings were used in this project
• A kitchen colander
• An Incline Ramp/Gutter
• Aluminum Foil to create an ice dam.
• Bulldog clips to hold the Aluminum foil.

Let's get started!

• Assemble supplies needed.
• Wash Garments with Dharma Dyers Detergent prior to dyeing.
• Soak in a soda ash solution of two cups of soda ash to one gallon of water.
• Wring out the garments well so they are damp but not soggy.

Colander Method

Place colander in a tub/tray to catch the melting ice water and dye.

Turn the tank top inside out and open so the side seams are touching each other.

Decide where you want your spiral, we went for a side placement. Center the top on the peak of the upside down colander and start your spiral somewhat in the middle of the tank. Give it a good pinch and twist, adjusting your folds as you turn it. Once it is how you want it, arrange any leftover bits like the straps down the sides of the colander. We let the straps sit in the muck at the bottom of the tray.

Sprinkle your dye powder with a spoon or other tool to apply the color where you would like it to be. We used #166 Watermelon, #14 Coral Pink, #169 Razzle Dazzle and #155 Amber Waves.

We made a circular dam for the ice out of aluminum foil and bulldog clips. Add your ice, filling it to the top of the dam. Cover with plastic to keep the fabric damp. This is especially important if your air is dry.

Wait for the magic to happen. Let the ice melt completely, then allow the dye to batch on the fabric for at least 24 hours after the ice melts. Batching the dye works best at temperatures above 70F, a little warmer is even better but not too much. If your room temperature is cooler the dye will need another 24 hours to get a good color result.

Rinse the garment in cool running water until the dye is almost all washed out. Then wash the garment with one of the detergents in hot water. Rinse well and hang to dry.

Incline Ramp Method

Create your incline ramp to hold your garment and catch the ice melt and dye run off. We used some cardboard tubes taped together and then wrapped in plastic. A piece of plastic gutter might have been a lot neater and contained the dye better but you use what you have. We had a tub and rack on the bottom to collect the run off and keep the pant hems out of the muck.

Fold/tie the garment how you wish and lay your garment on the inclined plane.

Sprinkle your dye on the garment wherever you would like. We used #166 Watermelon, #14 Coral Pink, #169 Razzle Dazzle, #155 Amber Waves and to jazz it up we added #183 Lime Pop.

Arrange chunks of ice on the dye on the garment. Cover with plastic to keep the fabric damp. This is especially important if your air is dry.

Wait for the magic to happen. Let the ice melt completely, then allow the dye to batch on the fabric for at least 24 hours after the ice melts. Batching the dye works best at temperatures above 70F, a little warmer is even better but not too much. If your room temperature is cooler the dye will need another 24 hours to get a good color result.

Rinse the garment in cool running water until the dye is almost all washed out. Then wash the garment with one of the detergents in hot water. Rinse well and hang to dry.

Wear your creations with pride and wow all your friends with how you harnessed physics to make art!

Tutorial created by Carmen L. and Elizabeth H. for Dharma Trading Co.