I watched my beautiful turquoise water (see previous post) turn to murky brown. This was my first attempt with indigo and I have noticed that many people either dye with the indigo before or after bundling with plants. When these have dried off a bit I will unravel and re dye in the indigo remembering to add vinegar, it helps if you read the instructions first, and see what happens.
working with indigo is truly alchemical
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the re-dyeing Debs. I've never had a go with indigo, though it's something I'd like to do. Looking forward to seeing the results. x
ReplyDeleteI had been wondering about old descriptions of "Lincoln green" where you dye with woad, THEN weld. Where I'd have done the opposite, so I could mordant the yarn to hold the yellow better, then blue.
ReplyDeleteBut then I read recently that other dyes/substances/etc. contaminate the vat because residue bleeds out and render the indigo useless. So if I ever do manage to grow woad again I'm going to rethink my process. (we've been infested with slugs who eat all my dye plants, everything)
Interesting, that must be what happened with mine though I had a peek today and the silk blouse looks as if it is changing colour, quite green on the inside layers, will have to be patient and see what happens.
DeleteI am growing my own indigo this year and have a woad plant as well which I am hoping to collect seed from next year.
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