Important Notes
Instructions
- Before dyeing, remove any visible stains on the fabric. This will help achieve uniform color results when dyeing. Prewash item in warm, soapy water without any fabric softener. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption, leave damp.
- Lay damp sweatshirt flat on clean surface and flip inside out.
- Push one sleeve into the other so that it folds in half.
- Using a washable marker, draw half circle on the centerfold.
- Pleat along the drawn line and secure sections with rubber bands.
- Place bound garment on wire rack over container at an angle or incline.
- Create a tight collar around the bound fabric by cutting strips of cardboard and secure with tape. This will hold the ice in place while it melts.
- Apply dyes in sections as created by the rubber bands. Be mindful of placement as the colors will mix together. Carefully place ice over bound fabric making sure not to disturb the powder dye placement.
- Let ice melt all the way through.
- To set the dye, do the following while fabric is still wet:
- Optional: Apply Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative with a spray bottle, which will enhance the colors and reduce bleeding. Mix 2 tablespoons/30 mL of well-shaken ColorStay Dye Fixative with water and spray liberally to both sides of the fabric.
- We strongly recommend setting the dye with a microwave. Our dyes need heat to loosen the fabric to accept the dye and because ice is being used, heat hasn’t been used. This can be done as long as the fabric does not have any metal parts on it. After applying ColorStay Dye Fixative, wrap the fabric in plastic wrap and seal the edges. Place the wrapped fabric on a paper towel in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Plastic will puff up, creating a heat chamber that helps bond the dye with the fabric. Once the microwave is done, remove the fabric and open the plastic, letting it cool down. If a microwave is not available or feasible to use and it is a hot sunny day, lay the wrapped fabric out in the sun for an hour.
- Rinse fabric in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear. This is very important to prevent unabsorbed dye from bleeding into any white areas. If possible, rinse the fabric flat to prevent unabsorbed dye from running into your white areas.
- Wash in cold water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.
