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Saturday, 21 May 2011

indigo blues


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

at

11 comments:

  1. Velma Bolyard22 May 2011 at 00:32

    this is good news: is it sustainable and non toxic indigo?

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  2. Long Ridge Farm22 May 2011 at 04:26

    your 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. :>]

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  3. jo22 May 2011 at 07:56

    so glad you were able to catch up with him and his technique - looking forward to seeing more xx

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  4. jude22 May 2011 at 08:10

    i have some of this. i am excited to try.

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  5. Jemima22 May 2011 at 09:20

    Oh 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?

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  6. india flint22 May 2011 at 09:26

    he uses various combinations of all sorts of stuff including fruit juice, henna and crushed oyster shells

    i 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"

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  7. india flint22 May 2011 at 10:15

    in answer to Jemima

    Nancy [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

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  8. Marianne Hall22 May 2011 at 11:58

    All I can see are blue hands........lovely blue hands.....ox

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  9. Jemima22 May 2011 at 20:42

    Thank 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.

    Like i said just something bout blue that makes you dream...

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  10. Anonymous22 May 2011 at 22:14

    if you r interested i have indigofera growing in my garden.... seed pods about to burst....

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  11. lynda Howells29 May 2011 at 05:58

    I 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

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