11/16/2023 0 Comments Blue indigo dyeMoreover, indigo has this very special effect. This deep dark blue tone is primarily known for coloring threads for pairs of jeans. They’re so strongly bonded to each other like us as twins. I have linked the article here.Denim is synonymous with indigo. I found a really good article on vat maintenance and restarting an indigo vat. You will need to reheat the vat on a low flame to revive the vat before dyeing again. You can reuse this indigo vat for 6 months. You don’t have to discard the indigo vat. A lot of the dye will run and the color will reduce in intensity significantly. Once you are done dyeing, wash the fabric well. Keep the indigo vat close while the fabric is soaking and drying. The bright sunlight intensifies the blue. If you soaked it for 10 mins in the indigo vat, then let it dry in the sun for 10 mins. Let the fabric dry in bright sunlight, for the same time you left the fabric soak for. The intensity of the blue achieved will depend on the number of times you soak the fabric in the dye.Īfter you take the fabric out of the indigo vat, the fabric will look green. You can soak the fabric from anywhere between 2-15 mins at a time. Make sure you close the stock pot with a lid.īefore adding the fabric into the water, ensure the fabric is soaking wet. Let the stock pot and dye rest for 20 mins. This is indicative of a heathy indigo dye pot. This froth is called is an indigo flower. Stirring will create an frothy substance in the middle of the stock pot. As you stir, you don’t want to introduce air into the mixture. Stir the stock pot slowly, keep stirring in a clock wise direction. Now slowly pour in the indigo dye concoction, sediments and all. You don’t want to add excessive water as this would dilute the dye vat. You want to add enough to submerge the fabric completely. In a stock pot, fill it half way with hot water, not boiling water. Next morning, you will see the dye mixture separate with the sediments settled at the bottom and the liquid with be red or green in color. Repeat again every 15 mins four more times. Let the dye rest for 15 mins, and give it another shake to let the dye mix properly.Close the jar with the lid, and give the bottle a good shake so everything mixes really well.You need space on top of the jar for the dye to breathe. Fill the jar with water until it reaches the neck of the jar. Now pour the lime solution into the mason jar.In a separate bowl, place the pickling lime and add some of the hot water to dissolve the lime powder.Next, add the high fructose corn syrup to the paste and mix the dye.Using some hot water (not boiling water) to the dye to make a thick paste. In a 1 litre mason jar, add the indigo dye powder.If you use boiling water, it will burn the dye.Ī stock pot with lid, exclusively used for dyeing and not for cooking 1 litre of hot water, not boiling water.A recommended base for an indigo vat is calx (calcium hydroxide) also known as lime, pickling lime, or hydrated lime.įor 1 litre of dye concoction (ideal for 1lb of fabric), you will need In order for the reducing agent to act on the indigo, a basic (alkaline) environment is required. When the indigo is reduced it dissolves and the dye bath is a greeny-yellow color. It requires a reducing agent to make it soluble. Indigo powder on its own, isn't naturally soluble. This is a simple 1:2:3 ratio recipe of indigo dye: pickling lime powder: High fructose corn syrup The high fructose corn syrup acts as a reducing agent. Other than the indigo dye, the remaining ingredients can be found at your local grocery store in the bakery aisle. I like this as a safe and non-toxic recipe. There are numerous indigo dye recipes available online. Here are the basic steps for creating your own indigo dye That being said first, the color is just stunning and in low batches I feel you can keep an eye on the water consumption while using an indigo dye. And thus I wouldn’t readily agree on it being eco-friendly. The amount of water required to wash a fabric after indigo dyeing is A LOT. As beautiful it is, and as it falls under as a natural dye, hence considered sustainable and eco-friendly, I would be iffy on this statement. The color has been so pleasing to wear, look at and has, dare I say it, become a neutral color that goes with almost any color. South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (USD $)
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