Ice Tie Dye Technique: How to Tie Dye with Ice
This Ice Tie Dye Technique post is brought to you by Tulip and Blueprint Social. As always, all opinions are strictly my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
Tie dying with ice (or snow) creates some of the most beautiful and unique tie dye effects!
Plus, ice tye dying is pretty quick (not counting the 6-8 hours of soaking time).
You’re going to love this technique because it is literally the EASIEST tie dye technique EVER. It’s also perfect if you’re tie dying with kids.
Because this process relies on the liquid from the ice as it melts, you won’t have bottles of liquid dye in the hands of children just waiting to stain everything! 😉
I am going to show you how you can use the ice tie-dye technique to create some gorgeous effects on a common white cotton t-shirt.
UPDATE: I also tried this technique using bleach crystals and it turned out just as cool!
ICE TIE DYE TECHNIQUE: How to tie dye with ice or snow
SHOP THE SUPPLIES:
- White Cotton T-Shirt
- Pillow Insert
- Tulip Tie-Dye Kit (or you can shop all Tulip Tye Dye Kits here)
- Not Pictured: scissors, sewing pins, sewing machine or simple needle and thread, rack, large container to collect ice drippings, plastic wrap, ice
STEP 1: Prepare your shirt or material
Get your t-shirt completely wet and then wring most of the moisture out.
Here’s where the “tie” technique comes in:
Scrunch up the shirt and place it on a rack over the top of another container or dish. The more “scrunching” you do, the more chances of white peaking through. I wanted a lot of color, so I scrunched gently.
I used a glass Pyrex dish as my container because it fit quite well with the rack. Just make sure that your container is large enough to contain any liquids from the shirt.
STEP 2: Completely cover with ice
Generously cover the t-shirt with ice. I used crushed ice so that I could make sure to cover all of the edges without the risk of larger ice cubes sliding off right away.
If you are currently in an area with snow, this step could be substituted with snow! I haven’t personally tried this yet but I look forward to it.
STEP 3: Apply the dye powder
Put on the gloves that come with the tie-dye kit (easy peasy!). Then, sprinkle the tie-dye color pigments over the ice. I had no rhyme or reason for where I placed the colors, I just sprinkled away.
Here’s the best thing about this technique:
It’s almost guaranteed to look pretty sweet no matter what! As a general rule of thumb, I do try to avoid overlapping colors that make brown. For example, blue and orange or purple and yellow.
STEP 4: Let the colors soak
Cover with plastic wrap so that it doesn’t dry out. Let sit for 6-8 hours (or longer).
Tip: The longer it sits, the more intense the colors get.
I didn’t want my colors to be too intense since I knew I was going to be painting a design over the top, so I let mine sit for 6 hours.
STEP 5: Rinse and dry your shirt or material
Rinse until water runs clear. Then, wash and dry in the dryer alone.
STEP 6: Place your pillow inside the shirt
The following steps are optional if you wanted to turn your tshirt into a throw pillow.
Turn your t-shirt inside out and then slide the pillow insert into the t-shirt and up against one of the sides. That way, you will only have to sew up 3 sides instead of 4. Then, using your sewing pins, pull the t-shirt together along 2 of the sides.
STEP 7: Hand sew along the edges
Grab your needle and thread by hand, sew up along the 2 pinned sides. Then, remove the pins, turn right-side out, insert the pillow, and repeat for the last open side. This side will have a slightly raw edge, but it will blend with the other sides once trimmed.
STEP 8: Embellish your pillow
Optional: using acrylic fabric paint, embellish your awesome ice tie dyed throw pillow with your design of choice.
My husband is a Tombstone fan, so I used this minimalist Tombstone poster as inspiration.
I think it fits just fine with our eclectic movie vibe. My next project: a Breakfast Club themed throw pillow. Luckily I’ve still got plenty of supplies left with my awesome Tulip Tie-Dye Kit!
Ice Tie Dye Technique: How to Tie Dye with Ice
Materials
- Cotton T-Shirt or Other 100% Cotton Material
- Tie Dye Kit
- Ice or Snow
- Saran Wrap
Tools
- Glass Dish
- Cooling Rack
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare your t-shirt or other cotton material for tie dying
- Completely soak your t-shirt in cold water, wring the excess water out
- Place the rack inside of your dish
- Crumple your shirt up on top of the rack. The more wrinkles, the more detail your shirt will have.
- Place crushed ice on top of the crumpled up shirt. Make sure you cover as much as possible without it falling off.
Step 2: Apply the tie dye pigments
- Sprinkle the tie dye powders on your shirt generously. Keep in mind which colors you are placing next to each other so they don't turn brown.
Step 3: Let the dye soak in
- Cover the glass dish with saran wrap to keep the shirt moist as it sits.
- Allow the ice to melt and for the dye to penetrate the material for 6 to 8 hours.
Step 4: Rinse your shirt or material
- Rinse your shirt under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Wash and dry alone.
Notes
Remember, the longer the tie dye powder sits, the more vibrant and intense the colors will get.
um…this is really cool!! (no pun intended LOL)
haha nice. It was really so easy and I think it gave such a unique effect. Definitely going to do more this summer!
um…this is really cool!! (no pun intended LOL)
haha nice. It was really so easy and I think it gave such a unique effect. Definitely going to do more this summer!
I love how the ice tie dye looks, definitely going to have to try this!
If you try it you’ll have to let me know what you think, I loved it!
I love how the ice tie dye looks, definitely going to have to try this!
So creative!! Love the result!
Thanks Kerri! I’m really loving the unique look it gives 🙂
So creative!! Love the result!
If you try it you'll have to let me know what you think, I loved it!
Thanks Kerri! I'm really loving the unique look it gives 🙂
I started out with turquoise at the top and them I did another solid in the middle and them another solid color at the bottom, but had shot of dye left so I just randomly sprinkled all over , the blue and the green, It was called moody blue!! But it turned out pretty cool.. I like the ice effect. Thank you.
That sounds gorgeous! I would love to see a photo!
This was so much fun! Easy to do and turned out so cute! I used Rit brand dye in purple, green, and blue. I used a hair dryer to melt the ice to speed up the process. I want to tie dye everything using this method!
I put the dye in plastic bottles like you use with hair dye. Kids could then easily sprinkle dye where they wanted. Very fun!
What a great idea, Dawn!
Do we place the ice on the shirt before the dye? I didn’t see a step explaining when to use the ice and I don’t want to assume and do it wrong. I am really excited to try this. 🙂
Good question! Yes, place the ice on the shirt first, then you can sprinkle the dye on top. The ice melting will activate the dye. Let me know if you have any other questions!
I have a down comforter I want to tie dye- any suggestions?!
you don’t mention soaking in soda ash. if one doesn’t use soda ash, how does color stay in garment?
Thanks for this tutorial! It’s super helpful with the pictures.
Happy to help 🙂 I love this tie dye technique so much!
Hello, I just tried ice dyeing and the results were great except for one thing. In places I could see some lines from the rack. They were quite faint but could still see them? How do you avoid this?
Interesting! That has never happened to me. I’m wondering if you maybe didn’t wet the shirt enough before hand or maybe didn’t use enough dye powder? Another option might be to place a thin layer of ice on top of the rack, then lay the item you’re tie dying on top of that, and then proceed with the technique. Hope this helps!
I tie dye everyday, by far ice is the best while a color spilts, that means you can get away with using one color. for this your grays and browns are no longer the “ugly colors” I noticed the splits when I started using Dharma Trading Company dyes called “Fiber reactive procion dyes. I was always run out of tulip dyes. I was surprised at the dharma was cheaper and the colors were more intense. NO was dye you choose they all have value.
Happy tie dying
I’ll definitely check out the dharma trading company dyes, those sound awesome! I’ve only ever used tulip dyes before. Thanks for the recommendation!