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My Brother and his family are coming for a visit in June.  I wanted to make his son and my son matching "cousin crew" t-shirts. However, when you order 100% cotton toddler tees, they come in multi-packs.  So my little project became a big project and now they each get a wardrobe of brand new colorful t-shirts!  (The boys are two different sizes, so they each get six t-shirts.)

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I ice dyed the t-shirts.  (Read this post from 2020 about the process.)  And I experimented with a number of different wrapping, folding, and tying techniques.  Take a peek:

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I love the soft "bloom" of ice dyeing.  The details are lovely:

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And they're both getting their "cousin crew" t-shirts too!

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Did you spy the accidental butterfly in the t-shirt on the left?  I couldn't do it again if I tried!

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Finally, here's my little model wearing one of his brand new ice dyed tshirts:

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I can't wait for the two boys to be together!

In case you're wondering about the difference between ice dyeing and liquid dye dyeing, this is a great image I found on Pinterest (no attribution, so let me know if you know):

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I use the dye over the ice method.  I hope you'll give ice dyeing a try!  It's lots of fun.

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

56 thoughts on “Ice Dyed T-Shirts

  • Very cool. Especially love how your son modeled his Tshirt. Adorable and very handsome.
    In thinking more about what you posted on IG, I am not really a fan of Pablo Picasso’s Cubism work. Yet he started this movement which made him well known. Art is so subjective. As you tell your students, continue on your journey and your art will meander and change directions depending on your next exploration. We cannot let ourselves get bogged down by the likes of other viewers. Sell the pieces that you do not like and keep making more of what YOU like.

    Reply
  • Very cool. Especially love how your son modeled his Tshirt. Adorable and very handsome.
    In thinking more about what you posted on IG, I am not really a fan of Pablo Picasso’s Cubism work. Yet he started this movement which made him well known. Art is so subjective. As you tell your students, continue on your journey and your art will meander and change directions depending on your next exploration. We cannot let ourselves get bogged down by the likes of other viewers. Sell the pieces that you do not like and keep making more of what YOU like.

    Reply
  • Very cool. Especially love how your son modeled his Tshirt. Adorable and very handsome.
    In thinking more about what you posted on IG, I am not really a fan of Pablo Picasso’s Cubism work. Yet he started this movement which made him well known. Art is so subjective. As you tell your students, continue on your journey and your art will meander and change directions depending on your next exploration. We cannot let ourselves get bogged down by the likes of other viewers. Sell the pieces that you do not like and keep making more of what YOU like.

    Reply
  • Very cool. Especially love how your son modeled his Tshirt. Adorable and very handsome.
    In thinking more about what you posted on IG, I am not really a fan of Pablo Picasso’s Cubism work. Yet he started this movement which made him well known. Art is so subjective. As you tell your students, continue on your journey and your art will meander and change directions depending on your next exploration. We cannot let ourselves get bogged down by the likes of other viewers. Sell the pieces that you do not like and keep making more of what YOU like.

    Reply
  • Very cool. Especially love how your son modeled his Tshirt. Adorable and very handsome.
    In thinking more about what you posted on IG, I am not really a fan of Pablo Picasso’s Cubism work. Yet he started this movement which made him well known. Art is so subjective. As you tell your students, continue on your journey and your art will meander and change directions depending on your next exploration. We cannot let ourselves get bogged down by the likes of other viewers. Sell the pieces that you do not like and keep making more of what YOU like.

    Reply
  • Very cool. Especially love how your son modeled his Tshirt. Adorable and very handsome.
    In thinking more about what you posted on IG, I am not really a fan of Pablo Picasso’s Cubism work. Yet he started this movement which made him well known. Art is so subjective. As you tell your students, continue on your journey and your art will meander and change directions depending on your next exploration. We cannot let ourselves get bogged down by the likes of other viewers. Sell the pieces that you do not like and keep making more of what YOU like.

    Reply
  • Very cool. Especially love how your son modeled his Tshirt. Adorable and very handsome.
    In thinking more about what you posted on IG, I am not really a fan of Pablo Picasso’s Cubism work. Yet he started this movement which made him well known. Art is so subjective. As you tell your students, continue on your journey and your art will meander and change directions depending on your next exploration. We cannot let ourselves get bogged down by the likes of other viewers. Sell the pieces that you do not like and keep making more of what YOU like.

    Reply
  • Wow those are fun T-shirts. The images would make beautiful color printed papers. Just stunning. Your creative practice is inspiring! Thanks

    Reply
  • Wow those are fun T-shirts. The images would make beautiful color printed papers. Just stunning. Your creative practice is inspiring! Thanks

    Reply
  • Wow those are fun T-shirts. The images would make beautiful color printed papers. Just stunning. Your creative practice is inspiring! Thanks

    Reply
  • Wow those are fun T-shirts. The images would make beautiful color printed papers. Just stunning. Your creative practice is inspiring! Thanks

    Reply
  • Wow those are fun T-shirts. The images would make beautiful color printed papers. Just stunning. Your creative practice is inspiring! Thanks

    Reply
  • Wow those are fun T-shirts. The images would make beautiful color printed papers. Just stunning. Your creative practice is inspiring! Thanks

    Reply
  • Wow those are fun T-shirts. The images would make beautiful color printed papers. Just stunning. Your creative practice is inspiring! Thanks

    Reply
  • Julie, Those shirts turned out great!! Love them. I really like the dye powder over the ice, but all three work great.

    Reply
  • Julie, Those shirts turned out great!! Love them. I really like the dye powder over the ice, but all three work great.

    Reply
  • Julie, Those shirts turned out great!! Love them. I really like the dye powder over the ice, but all three work great.

    Reply
  • Julie, Those shirts turned out great!! Love them. I really like the dye powder over the ice, but all three work great.

    Reply
  • Julie, Those shirts turned out great!! Love them. I really like the dye powder over the ice, but all three work great.

    Reply
  • Julie, Those shirts turned out great!! Love them. I really like the dye powder over the ice, but all three work great.

    Reply
  • Julie, Those shirts turned out great!! Love them. I really like the dye powder over the ice, but all three work great.

    Reply
  • Wow Julie, those shirts are awesome!!!

    Reply
  • Wow Julie, those shirts are awesome!!!

    Reply
  • Wow Julie, those shirts are awesome!!!

    Reply
  • Wow Julie, those shirts are awesome!!!

    Reply
  • Wow Julie, those shirts are awesome!!!

    Reply
  • Wow Julie, those shirts are awesome!!!

    Reply
  • Wow Julie, those shirts are awesome!!!

    Reply
  • the shirts turned out great. as background papers, as someone else said, great also

    Reply
  • the shirts turned out great. as background papers, as someone else said, great also

    Reply
  • the shirts turned out great. as background papers, as someone else said, great also

    Reply
  • the shirts turned out great. as background papers, as someone else said, great also

    Reply
  • the shirts turned out great. as background papers, as someone else said, great also

    Reply
  • the shirts turned out great. as background papers, as someone else said, great also

    Reply
  • the shirts turned out great. as background papers, as someone else said, great also

    Reply
  • Absolutely fabulous! The boys are going to be the coolest cousin crew ever.
    I have to try this technique.

    Reply
  • Absolutely fabulous! The boys are going to be the coolest cousin crew ever.
    I have to try this technique.

    Reply
  • Absolutely fabulous! The boys are going to be the coolest cousin crew ever.
    I have to try this technique.

    Reply
  • Absolutely fabulous! The boys are going to be the coolest cousin crew ever.
    I have to try this technique.

    Reply
  • Absolutely fabulous! The boys are going to be the coolest cousin crew ever.
    I have to try this technique.

    Reply
  • Absolutely fabulous! The boys are going to be the coolest cousin crew ever.
    I have to try this technique.

    Reply
  • Absolutely fabulous! The boys are going to be the coolest cousin crew ever.
    I have to try this technique.

    Reply
  • This post is a keeper! Love the idea, the colors, and the techniques! Your little guy is growing so quickly, at this stage he looks like a good mix of Steve and you. Hi to Mom!! Xo

    Reply
  • This post is a keeper! Love the idea, the colors, and the techniques! Your little guy is growing so quickly, at this stage he looks like a good mix of Steve and you. Hi to Mom!! Xo

    Reply
  • This post is a keeper! Love the idea, the colors, and the techniques! Your little guy is growing so quickly, at this stage he looks like a good mix of Steve and you. Hi to Mom!! Xo

    Reply
  • This post is a keeper! Love the idea, the colors, and the techniques! Your little guy is growing so quickly, at this stage he looks like a good mix of Steve and you. Hi to Mom!! Xo

    Reply
  • This post is a keeper! Love the idea, the colors, and the techniques! Your little guy is growing so quickly, at this stage he looks like a good mix of Steve and you. Hi to Mom!! Xo

    Reply
  • This post is a keeper! Love the idea, the colors, and the techniques! Your little guy is growing so quickly, at this stage he looks like a good mix of Steve and you. Hi to Mom!! Xo

    Reply
  • This post is a keeper! Love the idea, the colors, and the techniques! Your little guy is growing so quickly, at this stage he looks like a good mix of Steve and you. Hi to Mom!! Xo

    Reply
  • Great fun!
    I think the DOI vs DUI Pinterest shot is from a video from Fun Endeavors Tie Dye Lab. Belladonna Dyes also has a similar experiment. Both are on YouTube and are really good resources for Ice Dyeing.

    Reply
  • Great fun!
    I think the DOI vs DUI Pinterest shot is from a video from Fun Endeavors Tie Dye Lab. Belladonna Dyes also has a similar experiment. Both are on YouTube and are really good resources for Ice Dyeing.

    Reply
  • Great fun!
    I think the DOI vs DUI Pinterest shot is from a video from Fun Endeavors Tie Dye Lab. Belladonna Dyes also has a similar experiment. Both are on YouTube and are really good resources for Ice Dyeing.

    Reply
  • Great fun!
    I think the DOI vs DUI Pinterest shot is from a video from Fun Endeavors Tie Dye Lab. Belladonna Dyes also has a similar experiment. Both are on YouTube and are really good resources for Ice Dyeing.

    Reply
  • Great fun!
    I think the DOI vs DUI Pinterest shot is from a video from Fun Endeavors Tie Dye Lab. Belladonna Dyes also has a similar experiment. Both are on YouTube and are really good resources for Ice Dyeing.

    Reply
  • Great fun!
    I think the DOI vs DUI Pinterest shot is from a video from Fun Endeavors Tie Dye Lab. Belladonna Dyes also has a similar experiment. Both are on YouTube and are really good resources for Ice Dyeing.

    Reply
  • Great fun!
    I think the DOI vs DUI Pinterest shot is from a video from Fun Endeavors Tie Dye Lab. Belladonna Dyes also has a similar experiment. Both are on YouTube and are really good resources for Ice Dyeing.

    Reply

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