How To Ice-Dye And Up-Cycle With Cindy Popp
What’s one thing Texas heat is good for? Ice-dyeing. Throughout 2023, we partnered with artist and Future Front collaborator Cindy Popp to produce a number of community ice-dye experiences.
In this how-to guide, Cindy Popp (@cindy.popp) walks you through how to ice-dye your own tees, totes, socks and clothes at home—and on your own.
ABOUT CINDY POPP
Photo by Dani Parsons
Cynthia Muñoz (she/her) is based in Austin, Texas. She has a passion for community engagement and creative collaboration. AKA Cindy Popp, she creates art inspired by fashion, cinema, and clowns. She lives with her partner and cat and tries to watch a movie every day.
WHAT IS ICE-DYEING?
About Ice-Dyeing & Upcycling:
With a couple bags of ice, some powder dye and soda ash, you can transform old pieces of clothing into refreshed and unique garments.
In this how-to, multidisciplinary artist Cindy Popp will walk you through how to ice-dye clothing and other items in your closet to give them another life.
Things You’ll Need:
The item you intend to dye
Drip buckets
Wire drying racks
Soda ash
Powder dye
Plastic bags
Gloves
Cool and warm water
HOW TO ICE-DYE IN 11 STEPS:
1.) Soak pre-washed items in a mixture of soda ash and warm water within a plastic bucket or tub for 20 minutes using gloves.
2.) Squeeze/wring out excess solution by hand. Do not rinse.
3.) Identify a tub or vessel as your item’s drip bucket. Place the vessel on a protected floor or outdoor area.
4.) Scrunch up the item you’re dyeing into a small flat ball and place it on a wire cooling rack or other permeable surface on top of the drip bucket.
5.) Cover the item in ice cubes.
6.) Sprinkle small amounts of powder dye over the ice. Be mindful of how the colors interact.
7.) Once the ice is fully melted, place the item in a plastic bag. Clean your dyeing area and other tools.
8.) Either leave the item in the plastic bag for at least 24 hours (preferably in the sun or heat) or place the bag on a paper towel in your microwave for two minutes. (The plastic will puff up, creating a heat chamber trhat helps bond the dye with the fabric.)
9.) Once you have dried or heated your item, remove the fabric from the plastic bag and let it cool down.
10.) Rinse the fabric / dyed item in cool water until the water runs clear. This is important to prevent unabsorbed dye from bleeding into other areas of the item or on other pieces of clothing. For the best results, lay the dyed item flat while you rinse.
11.) Wash the dyed item in cold water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry!
12.) Enjoy your new ice-dyed gem!
Photos by Tess Leslie
Photos by Tess Leslie
Photos by Tess Leslie