05/31/2026
Same dye. Same fabric. Completely different results.
One of my favorite things about ice dyeing is that a single color can create a wide range of looks depending on the process.
Things that affect the final result: Where the dye is placed • How much dye is used • How much ice is used • How the piece is folded, tied, twisted, or scrunched • How long the dye is allowed to process before rinsing…
And in the case of these swatches… whether they were racked or mucked.
🧊Racked (left): The piece sits on a rack and drains as the ice melts, so it isn’t sitting in the dye water.
🧊Mucked (right): The piece sits directly in the melted ice and dye mixture, allowing the fabric to continue soaking in those colors as they settle and blend.
Same dye color. Different technique. Vastly different results.
Which one do you prefer? Racked or Mucked?