Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Warming up to Snow

I really dislike Winter, yes, I am Canadian.....but still......not my favourite season. Up until now, I could not think of one good use for snow, that is until I began experimenting with the technique of snow dyeing.
Earlier, I did some dyeing using snow and ice, this time around, I kept the process super simple. Soda ash soaked fabric, scrunched into the bottom of a plastic dish pan was covered with a layer of snow. On top of the snow I sprinkled my dye powder directly from the envelope. Because the powder remains dry and does not react until the snow begins to melt, I kept my mask in place until I could slip the whole works inside a large plastic bag to be certain I would not be breathing in any of those particles. I left it to "batch" for 24 hours. (that is a tough wait)

Here is a look at some of the resulting pieces, the first 2 are my absolute favourite....(they are about a half yard/metre  in size.)




along with a collection of others that are roughly the equivalent of a fat quarter in size. You might be able to detect some "extra" patterns happening in a couple of them, more about that in another post.


I also tucked a bit of size 5 cotton threads in with the fabric and got some terrific variegated results.



 alright.....so now I have found one good use for that white stuff.




15 comments:

Brenda said...

great results. I have plans for some snow dyeing too, since here in Winnipeg we're really blessed with the white stuff this winter.

Lynette said...

Cool!! Do you follow Kathy at Tamarack Shack? She snow-dyes, too. :) Here's her latest batch of fun. http://tamarackshack.blogspot.com/2013/01/snow-dyeing-revisited.html

Now that we're in Colorado and actually get snow in the winters, I'll probably try my hand at this next year. `

Needled Mom said...

Beautiful....I think I might enjoy a little snow now.

Joan said...

Oh how I wish for snow!! Wonder how I could do that here... I just LOVE your results.

Mary Ann Tate said...

I've always wanted to try this but where do you get soda ash? I've looked around and not seen any so obviously I looking in the wrong places:)

Nic said...

I hadn't thought of dyeing threads that way too. What a great idea - love the result

Kim said...

I'm with you, winter is not my favorite...but this is my last winter in the Northeast :0) yeah for coastal living in North Carolina, I can not wait!!

These fabrics came out just terrific, and the threads are beautiful. Nicely done! Have a project in mind?

Happy Sewing

Robbie said...

WOW! Lovely pieces...the first two do remind me of winter!! An art piece in the making??? Threads turned out too...hadn't thought of that.

Karen S said...

great results! I took your advice and I have my first batch of snow with powder instead of liquid concentrate batching out on the front porch.

chris said...

Almost makes me wish we got snow here. Would the ice particles from the freezer work???? That's as close as we get to snow here in Brisbane.

Renate said...

Wonderful results you got there! Like the idea of including the thread. Did you keep them on ther bobbins when they were in the dye batch, or just loose?

Quilt Rat said...

For those of you in areas that never get snow....try ice cubes. I make lots of cubes until I have a big bag full. Then layer cubes over soda ash soaked fabric and sprinkle some dye powder directly on top of the ice cubes....let it batch for 24 hours....you get some fabulous patterning with this technique. .......guess I will have to do another post on that. :-) have fun!...I know I will

Gina said...

I too am not a winter person (except for back in the days when we had our colours done!)but you've made wonderful use of the Canadian snow. Beautiful results! Thanks for the tip of using ice. When I get back to some dyeing I'll try that.

Royce said...

Well another thing I've not heard of. I just love your results. The second group is just stunning can't wait to hear the full story behind them.

Createology said...

Well there is a redeeming factor for snow (other than filling our water table). Your fabrics and threads are amazing. What a fun experience. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

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