There are many ways to tie dye and each artist brings their own style to the genre. My preferred method is Ice Dying with Fiber Reactive Procion Dye . I love the flow and color splits you get as a result of the ice slowly melting over the 48 hour batching process. Each dye is mixed with other dyes to get the final color when using liquid dye, but when ice dying those colors "split" to get amazing flow and texture.
The entire process, for me, takes approximately one week from start to finish. With two young kiddos running around and working full time as an accountant, this is definitely my "side-gig", but it truly fulfills my creative side and offers extra income for my family. The hardest part of the process is by far the 48 hour wait while the pieces batch. The wait is totally worth it, opening each piece is the closest thing you'll get to Christmas morning as an adult lol.
A few things that can effect your final outcome and will vary from person to person are the blank item you use, the item's fiber content, washing detergent used, tap water/water softener, whether or not you presoaked your item in soda ash, what you use to tie your designs, whether you dye your item when it's dry or damp, the temperature of your batching area, how level you station is, whether you ice dye with the dye on top of the ice or under, what type of dye you use, how heavy or light handed you are when placing your dye, how much soda ash you use, the shape of your ice, how much ice you use, if you dye your items "on a rack" with a bucket underneath letting the ice melt and drip through or "in the muck" with your items in a container sitting in the liquid as the ice melts, how long you batch for, and your rinsing process. Long story short, there are A LOT of variables. My process is what works for me and it will be different for everyone. Ultimately, you need to be patient and ready for some trial and error, A LOT of trial and error.
If you are selling your items the process doesn't end once the item is complete. Next is marketing, selling, accounting, graphic design, IT, photography, customer service, lots of cleaning, and more art.
Hopefully this info and insight into my process below helps to explain my prices and lead time on custom orders.
Start with a white 100% cotton tee. I prefer Bella + Canvas 3001C Unisex Jersey T-Shirt. Prewash according to instructions on the tag. No need to dry.
Mix soda ash and warm water until dissolved. Wear a respirator during this process. Most use a water to soda ash ratio, but I just dump some in a plastic tote (approx 1/2c) filled 3/4th full with water. Soak for a minimum of 30mins.
Pull the shirt from the soda ash tote and wring out by hand. Toss it in the washing machine (top load is best) and set to DRAIN & SPIN only, do not use the rinse cycle.
Lay the shirt flat and draw a semi circle using a washable marker and string.
Accordion fold along the semi circle line and tie with sinew. Wrap 3-4 times and pull tight. Repeat one time. Cut the sinew from the roll.
Create craters by making small circles and tying with sinew inside the semi circle. I typically make about 3 craters.
Put a rubberband about a thumbs width from the semi circle and scrunch the remaining portion of the tee. Use rubberbands to keep the scrunched portion together.
On a level surface place a tray that has enough edge to keep the "muck" from overflowing. Place a cooling rack at an angle on one end. This will be where the moon goes in order to keep it white.
Make sure to wear your respirator while placing your dye and soda ash.
Choose your galaxy colors. I use Raven Black & Deep Space to create the dark section. Put the dark colors on the tray and sit the scrunched portion on top. Keep the moon on the rack. Use only Silver Lining in small piles on the moon. On the scrunched portion put bright colors first and the dark colors on top.
Use plastic clothespins around the moon in order to keep the ice from falling off. Add a generous amount of ice over the entire piece. Then sprinkle soda ash powder over the top of the ice.
Do not touch or move the tray for 48 hours or 24 hours after the ice melts.
Set your washing machine to normal wash and add a drop of blue dawn. Carefully move the tray to your rinsing area. Rinse with cold water while still tied. Once most of the dye is rinsed out untie and rinse until the water runs clear. Then switch to hot. Once the water runs clear again fill the wash bin with hot water and a tiny bit of blue dawn. Let soak for about 15 min. Drain, rinse with cold, and toss in the washing machine.
Hang to dry and then wash again using regular laundry detergent and a small amount of fabric softener. Hang to dry. Once completely dry, using a toothpick or fine paint brush and white fabric paint, paint stars in a variety of sizes and styles on the darkest portions of the shirt. On the large stars paint over the white with glow in the dark fabric paint. Let dry 72hrs. Then wash one final time. Hang to dry.
Ta Da, your piece is complete. The process does not end here for me. Next is to take pictures using my phone and a photo light instead of using flash. Then modify via the PhotoRoom App. I do not use filters on the photos, the app is used to crop, rotate if needed, adjust the background or remove it, and add my logo.
Final photo in the black light. The glow in the dark fabric paint will show in the dark without a black light once charged in the sun or black light. The small stars will only show under blacklight.
Now to send photos to the buyer and prepare for shipment. I make tags using craft paper hang tags, hemp string, a safety pin, and my custom logo stamp I had made on Etsy. Fold shirt, add garment care card, and business card .I use different tags for in-person sales that have garment care/price/size on them. The prints are created by using templates found on Etsy, then modifying and print on Canva.
Then wrap with craft paper, seal with a custom logo sticker I had made on Etsy, tie with yarn, and ship in a poly bag. The label is created using Pirate Ship and my at home label printer. Lastly, photos are posted on my Facebook page as ** Item not for Sale **
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