Indigo has always fascinated and “terrorized” many aspiring dyers. So we decided to dedicate a special segment to this dyeing process, because indigo, aside from being one of the most beloved colors, needs to be used in a special, ad hoc process.

It is important to remember that indigo is a direct dye and therefore does not require the use of a mordant. However, that doesn’t mean that you can start directly from the dyebath using the extract as is. Indigo extract must first be prepared by creating what technically would be defined as a mother tincture.

Here’s how it’s done…

Mother-dye

• Weigh the dry fibers (and/or the yarn and fabrics obtained by them).
• Rinse them with a neutral soap.
• Put your indigo in a 500 ml. can (preferably, iron) that can be closed with an airtight cap.
• The amount of indigo dye needed for the preparation of the mother ranges from 2% (in order to obtain a light blue) to 5% (for a darker blue) according to the intensity of color that you wish to reach.
• Fill 2/3 of the can with water and stir well to dissolve lumps if any.
• Calculate the quantity of reducing agent based on the weight of the dye you are using for the reduction-oxidation process- caustic soda: 80% compared to the weight of dye; hydrosulphite: 80% compared to the weight of dye.
• Add the caustic soda to the solution in the can and stir again. The reaction with the caustic soda will warm the solution.
• Last, add the hydrosulphite and stir quickly.
• Then close the can with your airtight cap and keep it in a bain-marie for 20/30 minutes and maintain a temperature of 55°C (131°F)

Dye bath with indigo (tub)

• Pour the mixture obtained into a pot, filled with water beforehand (bath ratio 20/1) and raise the temperature to 131°F (55°C), not more.
• Add 1 mg/L of hydrosulphite.
• Put a lid on and let it sit for other 20 minutes.
• The indigo bath is now ready and you can proceed to effective dyeing now.
• Prepare a basin filled with warm water and two tablespoons of vinegar for rinsing the fiber after dyeing.
• Soak your fiber (previously rinsed with neutral soap) in the dye bath and make sure it is completely submerged in the dye bath.
• Do not shake the fiber excessively to avoid creating air bubbles. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Quickly remove the fiber from the dye bath and open it up in the air: the yellow-greenish colour will quickly turn blue before your eyes.
• At this point, rinse the fiber in the tub with warm water first to remove the colour residues and then in running cold water until the water comes out clean.
• Leave the fiber to dry away from the direct sunlight.

Tip from the dyer: the bath should have the colour of olive oil for the whole duration of the dying process, if a shift towards blue should occur add 1g/l of soda and 1g/l of hyposulphite

All images are courtesy of Coordinamento Tessitori – ©KEVO.biz

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