Snow dyeing is a technique used to dye fabric using snow and since we have a lot of snow I thought I would give it a try. Actually Lori kept emailing me all week to say she was going to try and that I should too! She knows I need a kick in the pants to try new things and since I didn't want her to have all the fun I gave it a go :) This is a very cool dyeing technique and I love the results.
The basic science to this is the cold temperture provided by the snow cause the dye molecules to slow down their ability to attach to the fabric giving the dye time to separate into their original colors if your using a mixed dye, not a pure dye. Some colors will move a bit faster and attach to the fabric first creating the really cool patterns on the fabric. This is shown really well on the fabric dyed with the color Chino. It almost looks like burnt paper the way the colors separated.
This post is just about the snow dyeing process and if you would like to learn more about fabric dyeing using the low immersion technique as well as what dyes and supplies I use see my tutorial post here.
To start I got my husband to build me two mesh screens to hold the fabric above the buckets that will catch all the melting snow. My fabric was presoaked in Sodium Carbonate ( Soda Ash) for a few hours.
I then piled as much snow as I could on top of the fabric
I use Mx Procion dyes and mixed 1/2 tsp yellow, 1/2 tsp salt with 1/2 cup water, and the same for the Fuchsia and Cerulean Blue. I then pour the three dye mixtures on top of the snow on the first fabric.
I poured Navy and Royal Blue on the second.
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Here is Chino on one and a Scalet/Red mix on the other.
Once all the snow has melted I rinse the fabric with TNA soap and then soak the fabric in Raycafix for a few minutes to set the dye. Then a quick rinse and spin in the washing machine, a trip to the dryer and voila!!
Here are more pictures of the end results
Here are a few links to some of my other snow dyeing posts.
Snow dyeing Green fabric and Purple fabric
Snow dyeing Orange fabric
Snow dyeing Orange fabric
I have started snow dyeing quilt backing as well.
Close up of the texture.
I also like to mix the dye powder directly into the dry snow to get very bold colors.You can see that post here
Way too cool! Both your Chino and Lori's Chino are the ones I want to actuallly see and touch the most. Did you both do your dyeing on the same day? I am wondering if snow temp has a big effect on the dyeing effect. You have got to try it at -35c. You girls have way too much fun with this dyeing. I may have to try it myself. A
ReplyDeleteKathy, this is so cool! I have never died fabric before. I will have to check this out, and get everything ready for my next snow. Love your blog, too! Mary in the Mountains
ReplyDeleteGood for you and Lori attempting this snow dyeing technique! I do like how the chino turned out... it was my favorite. With snow dyeing, the colors are much more diluted then the low immersion dyeing process but the crystalization makes the fabric unique. I like the colors in Lori's first fabric... not sure what she used but it looks great as well. I guess your next project will be the Shibori technique... hey, it looks very interesting! G
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job Kathy! I love how your fabrics turned out. I've used a different process of snow-dyeing, without the screens. I just let all the snow melt with the fabric in a plastic container. Your textures are great.
ReplyDeleteMargieK
laureb - how do you dispose of the snow/dye slush left over? Is it harmful to the environment if I dump it outside?
ReplyDeleteI dump the melted snow down my laundry sink in my crawl space. The water just contains a small amount of dye, I only use about 1 tsp of dye in my water mixture and most of that ends up in the fabric.
ReplyDeleteThe sodium carbonate used to pre soak the fabric is also used in swimming pools to increase the waters pH so what residual amounts that comes out of the fabric would not be harmful to the environment. That said I don't think I would just dump it outside, you don't want animals licking at the dye. I put salt in my dye mixture and that might attract animals to where the water was dumped.
Just beautiful, you are very clever :)
ReplyDeleteWanted you to know that I linked to this post. Just love tray your husband made and your finished results. http://creatingsomanycolors.blogspot.com/2011/01/snow-dyeing.html
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of dye?
ReplyDeleteMX Procion dyes, I'll change my post to add that info.
ReplyDeleteDo you sell your fabrics you make? I need that orange, pink and yellow piece for a quilt backing. It looks just like the one at the store that they never have enough of. That chino one is fantastic looking too. Too bad it doesn't snow in Florida. :(
ReplyDeleteAnn Marie, I live in Florida too but was told about snow dying by a friend from Denver. I did the process using crushed ice. It was my first time to dye fabric and I loved it!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so fantastic, I would like to try this out.
ReplyDeleteLiving in Iceland I think I would have enough snow LOL LOL at least some of the time.
wow gorgeous results...hmmm, I have lots of snow...Just may have too try this..thanks for sharing..take care
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing talent you have, Kathy. I love the results of the snow dyeing. I am in Nova Scotia and we do get our share of snow, but I am just too lazy to try something like that. Good for you!!! I wish you much success. You have beautiful and unique quilts posted.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon your blog on Pinterest while searching for fabric dyeing tidbits. I can see that I will have much to learn from you.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Thompson for 10 years and The Pas for 3, so I feel like you're a bit of a kindred spirit. I look forward to following along.
Wonder if You could use ice or shaved ice? We are short of snow here in Florida but I love the texture of this technique
ReplyDeleteYes you can. If you search my blog you'll see my ice dyeing experiments. Check out my post on July 14, 2016.
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