those who know of my commitment to bio-regional dyes
may express some surprise on reading
that i've been dabbling with indigo
but after observing the demonstration by Michel Garcia
[at ISEND 2011] i must confess that
i was very keen to see if i could replicate the process
so i brought home some powdered indigo
[purchased from Maiwa, who seem to be
doing the right thing by their suppliers]
thank you Michel Garcia
for so generously sharing your methods
it's proof of an excellent teacher
when the information
[despite being delivered in French,
not my first language]
was clear and concise enough for me to comprehend
and easily recalled to mind some 12 days later
on the other side of the whirled
this is good news: is it sustainable and non toxic indigo?
ReplyDeleteyour blue is lovely! the formula Michel uses is so clever, simple and completely organic. just a wee fyi I too sell a beautiful, non-toxic indigo tinctoria. :>]
ReplyDeleteso glad you were able to catch up with him and his technique - looking forward to seeing more xx
ReplyDeletei have some of this. i am excited to try.
ReplyDeleteOh blue so exquisite, just something about blues...that is so great you found a way to do it safely and fairly. I have always wanted to have a play with indigo but have been a bit too scared. I feel thus inspired. Where can i buy that special powder?
ReplyDeletehe uses various combinations of all sorts of stuff including fruit juice, henna and crushed oyster shells
ReplyDeletei applied the principles but chose to
play with a bit of ash and honey. smells sweet and earthy.
either way so much nicer than the vile reeking urine vat [that took weeks eeuughh]
but now that i know how it's done, i shall be content to stick with my beloved eucalypts and whatever other windfalls bestrew my path
until
i manage to stay at home long enough to harvest an indigo or woad crop of my own
because
even though Maiwa are a fair trade company and their indigo powder is of excellent quality, importing dyestuff isn't really compatible with my personal dye philosophy
and
as the Bard said
"unto thine own self be true"
in answer to Jemima
ReplyDeleteNancy [see comments] sells indigo, as do Maiwa, Earthues and countless others
indigo from El Salvador is a lovely cool blue, that from India is rather warmer in hue
and Maiwa are offering workshops with Michel Garcia in October
All I can see are blue hands........lovely blue hands.....ox
ReplyDeleteThank you India, i missed Nancy's comment (duh). It will probably be one of those things i will save for when the children have grown... I will most probably stick to what's in my backyard seeings it's done me so right thus far.. I have a friend with some woad down the coast, could be a good excuse to visit when the time is right.
ReplyDeleteLike i said just something bout blue that makes you dream...
if you r interested i have indigofera growing in my garden.... seed pods about to burst....
ReplyDeleteI love indigo dyeing and have just tried it for the first time..love iot. Love your images of your trip to Berlin and glad you had a great time.x lynda
ReplyDelete