In this process, a series of tanks are arranged in a step wise fashion. Another reason why many garments were dyed with Aizome, was because the organic indigo-dye made from the indigo plant, made the garments warmer to wear and also imbued the garments with anti-bacterial properties. The famous Edo period Ukiyo-e master Andō Hiroshige, best known for his landscapes, made great use of the different shades of indigo to vividly depict the scenery of Japan. What’s even more amazing is that the Japanese with their aesthetic sense, actually named all the levels the indigo-dye passes through during the dying process. Because the crimson color was hard to produce due to the limited amount of dye that could be made from the Safflowers, the crimson dye was highly valued and although the price would vary depending on the time, political and economic situation, cultural changes and so on, it can be said that it was worth its weight in gold.
Although it produced a much brighter blue, it was far harder to obtain and use, which is why it wasn't used quite as much way back then. The only big problem with indigo dyeing is that, the excess of tint remain over the fibers and came out for many many time during the use and the washes, i know that because i have an hakama and a kendogi made with japanese traditional indigo dyeing, in my searches on the net to find a way to fix the color i discovered that traditional metods like vinegar or chemical fixatives won't work.The traditional japanese old way is to use animal urine, cause the bacteria inside litteraly eat the excess colour. Not working. Indigo-dye is also called “Japan Blue”, the story behind this starts in the 8th year of Meiji (1875), when a chemist named Atkinson from England was invited by the Japanese government, and seeing the Indigo color and dye widely used in Japan at that time he was very impressed and called it “Japan Blue”. Thank you so much for sharing the process.
Participated in the Instructables Design Competition. What is “Hybrid Indigo Leather” (KIWAMI)?
We can ship over if you so wish. 7 years ago A: A natural indigo vat has a unique smell somewhere between earthy, musty, smoky with a hint of grass and manure! The natural color pigment of Indigo-dye is hard to use and any fabric has to be dyed multiple times to produce the deep blue color that we are used to see.
n.b this mix will give a mid to dark (see pic) indigo blue if you want a stronger shade you need to up the quantity of indigo grains keeping the other ingredients the same quantity. The upper layer of liquid is siphoned away and the settled pigment is transferred to a third tank where it is heated to stop the fermentation process. experimentation will guide you. I dye wool fabric for traditional rughooking and once it is rinsed and neutralized there is never any smell attached to the fabric.
tried lemon, vinegar, salt, and all the classic Grand Ma methods of fixing colors at home.
ADD THIS TO YOUR 10L BUCKET OF PREMIX, STIRRING UNTIL FULLY MIXED LEAVE TO SETTLE FOR 20 - 30 MINUTES, SOAK YOUR DESIRED GARMENT/CLOTH IN BUCKET OF WATER TO ALLOW FABRIC TO BE FULLY POUROUS, READY TO PROCEED WITH DYEING, CLOTH ENTERS VAT AND IS GENTLY MOVED IN THE VAT FOR 2 MINS. Understanding the Indigo Dyeing Process: www.dyeworks.co.ukThe king of blues and until the early 20 century the only blue, but still the only natural blue that will withstand any considerable amount of time. After your dyed goods are rinsed in the citric acid solution and washed, the smell fades.