These exciting soluble indigo natural dyes are derived from fermented natural indigo and alkanet.
The Turquoise Blue natural dye gives a good blue and at lower concentrations provides a fine teal green. The Forest Green, which also contains fermented pomegranate, produces a deep green. Just 10g will dye 100g of materials to the full colour achievable.
Our photographs of dyed wool yarn illustrate the variations in colours that can be achieved. Turquoise Blue photo top, Forest Green photo bottom.
Producing Colour from the Turquoise Blue & Forest Green Indigo Natural Dyes
Follow the two normal steps for dyeing with a naturally occurring dyestuff when dyeing wool or silk with these indigo natural dyes. Ensure that the material is properly scoured and wetted for around 2 hours before mordanting. Squeeze the material to remove the excess liquid, then add to a mordant solution.
Instructions for Mordanting
- Use alum mordant at 10% by weight of goods and dissolve it in hot water. Place this solution to one side.
- For 100g of dry material use around two litres (i.e. about 20 times the weight of material) of water. Add a small quantity of citric or acetic acid (vinegar) to the water to achieve a pH level of 4.
- Heat the pan to 60°C and add the alum solution and stir well, then add the 100g wetted material to the mordant pan and stir slowly every 5-10 minutes for up to an hour.
Instructions for Dyeing
- To develop the colour for 100g material, use 10g of the Turquoise Blue or Forest Green Indigo Natural Dyes dissolved in a small amount of hot water. Pass the solution through a coffee filter or fine sieve to remove any undissolved dye and place the solution to one side.
- Use two litres (i.e. about 20 times of dyeing material) of water and, importantly, add Citric Acid or Vinegar to give the water a pH level of 2.
- Heat the liquid to 60°C and add the solution of dissolved dye. Add the 100g of mordanted material (with the alum mordant solution squeezed out). Turn the material carefully whilst the pan is taken to boiling.
- Keep the temperature at 100°C for a further 45 minutes without agitating the material and then switch off.
- Wash the material to remove unfixed dye particles from the material and allowed to dry.
Visit the Dyeing section to view the Fibrecrafts range of natural dyes and indigo dyes.