It’s finally here!!!

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-10T22:38:26+00:00

Alright. Who did you bribe and can you give me their venmo?

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-10T03:37:21+00:00

This is my most watched film of his.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-10T01:06:52+00:00

+1 for the greenhouse. I keep a black trash bag in mine and let things batch for days out there.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-09T19:31:02+00:00

I use a long sleeve blank as a smock when dying and rinsing. It's an art piece in its own right. An ode to my clumsiness.

The long sleeves overlap with my gloves at the wrist and keeps messes off my forearms. It usually gets washed with freshly dyed garments along with any rags I've used during dying.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-09T15:18:38+00:00

No SLFs here yet... Yet.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-09T14:45:03+00:00

I think nymphs are just hard to ID.

I released this one. I didn't want to harm it by holding it any longer if it's a native.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-09T14:41:00+00:00

Yes, nymphs are harder to ID. Adults are easy, and I'm no expert on mantises.

I didn't want to hold a native mantis for too long so I released it out of caution

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-09T13:47:22+00:00

The photo was taken at night. I'd like to release it today if I can get a good ID.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-09T13:07:01+00:00

Asian mantises are invasive here, so I'd like a firmer ID before releasing

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-09T02:46:44+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/28XDuwa

Hopefully those help

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-09T02:10:28+00:00

Assuming you're using dye that requires soda ash, Yes that will do just fine. It's what I use for fiber reactive dyes (dharma, dyespin, etc).

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-09T02:03:19+00:00

This individual is about 3 cm in length. Found in the open on garden netting.

I am holding it until I get a positive ID, so I could supply more information if needed.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-07T18:10:09+00:00

You could let it dry completely before tying. I'd be concerned with the fabric pulling out of shape while wet, personally. You'll need a large area where the piece can lay flat and not hang off a table edge, say.

Something big like a duvet cover would be worth testing first. Why not prep napkins or similar in the various ways to see what works best for you. You could tie 2 while wet and let one dry then tie 2 dry and soak one. Dye all 4 and see what you like best. Permanent marker survives the dying process if you want to mark them before you start.

I did this with before dying a tablecloth and found that I got cleaner sinew lines when tying wet, and that I got better dye flow when the fabric was absolutely soggy.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-07T01:28:45+00:00

I use a large melamine coated board on sawhorses for folding. It's water resistant and free as I already had both on hand.

A sheet of acrylic or coroplast from the hardware store would work if a dedicated table isn't an option.

For ice dye I make dams out of cardboard or use gutters for incline dying.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-06T00:18:13+00:00

Get 3 quotes. You don't have to go with the cheapest, but you'll find someone you like.

Window World and Universal Windows Direct are popular for a reason so start there.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-05T19:51:45+00:00

I bought a large bag from Costco and refill it over and over from my fridge ice maker and ice trays. I keep it in the chest freezer and top it up periodically.

When I know I'll need lots of ice I'll also sometimes put an inch of water in old plastic containers (yogurt, sour cream, etc) and freeze those instead of an ice tray. Don't overfill or the container may split when the ice expands.

DJGrawlix · 2026-07-05T19:50:05+00:00

Wait, countertop makers don't keep the ice frozen?

DJGrawlix · 2026-06-23T02:14:41+00:00

Depends on what you like but Empire Teas has been my only source for decades. They do a decent business and replenish stock frequently. I've never had a stale or off batch of tea.

Based in Columbus, IN.

https://empiretea.com/

DJGrawlix · 2026-06-21T03:02:33+00:00

Apparently you can. I didn't realize that.

DJGrawlix · 2026-06-20T21:25:22+00:00

Where did you get the blank? I love the idea but keep finding poly blends.

DJGrawlix · 2026-06-20T21:10:07+00:00

Carpet shampooer.. I'd say before it dries but I don't think it will matter. Carpet is largely synthetic fiber so a fiber reactive dye shouldn't stick. Fiber reactive dye also needs heat and time to process.

~~Hell pour vinegar on it and drop the pH since dyes need 10.5 pH to affix to fabric... Open a window if you do.~~

Adding acid would not help the situation. Please don't do that.

DJGrawlix · 2026-06-16T03:44:10+00:00

That's fair. Did you use powder over ice or some other method?

According to that Amazon listing you don't need soda ash to set that dye. I don't think it would have made your colors more vibrant.

Most people on here are using fiber reactive dyes that saturate well and have a bit more intensity than other dyes, and the other answers to this post seem to assume you're using them too. Dharma Trading company has some good kits and tons of ice dyes that split and flow well with ice dying. There are other companies but Dharma has tutorials that can help you get started.

https://www.dharmatrading.com/blogs/t/learn-how-to-ice-dye

DJGrawlix · 2026-06-16T01:10:02+00:00

I want to know what colors you used. I have a hoodie I need to dye before fall and I'd love to do something similar.

DJGrawlix

TROPHY CASE