In Dey Go!

Yesterday I made my first indigo vat, dipping nearly 30 kinds of fabrics, threads and trims prepared in various ways because I was so excited to explore and I didn't want to stop! I felt such a sense of wonder as the fabrics emerged a grainy, slimey, muddy green and quickly - so quickly I had to enlist help to get a photo - turned to gorgeous blues like no other. There is a very particular quality to this process - literally watching the colour transformation appear - a magical experience that I think is what makes it so exciting.

I used a natural recipe from Michel Garcia's DVD and am thrilled with the range of blues I got. This silk is turquoise:

Although the vat takes a little preparation and I had to go further afield to get the supplies, the speed of the colour absorption once the vat is ready means hardly any waiting - and very little rinsing, too, in comparision with Procion Dyes.

Here are a few more fabrics I dipped - silk, wool, a heavy cotton and regular cotton. I have alot to learn - this first day gave me a feel for what's possible and how differently various fibres respond to the vat. I started out noting dipping time but quickly let that go as it no longer seemed important. One white cotton piece I literally dunked in and back out is a lovely light blue. There are many variables involved, including what kind of indigo, what kind of ingredients in the vat, what type of fibre, how long the vat sits, how long the fibre is in the dye bath... So lots of learning and I'm excited for doing that with many others from around the globe in Glennis Dolce's class that begins in two days. I will try several other indigo vats, too, that she has given recipes for,

but right now I want to try some other ideas with this one.