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| Instant Indigo
Instant indigo is natural indigo processed by a new method from India. The indigo has been pre-reduced and then freeze--dried into a crystal. As long as you keep it dry, it will keep indefinitely. It is easy to use and gives deep, wonderful colors. It is suitable for all natural fibers and will also dye many synthetics such as nylon, tencel and rayon. In addition, it is very cost effective.
$5.45 per oz of dried instant indigo crystals
Directions by Judith McKenzie McCuin.
More information on this process is available from John Marshall's website. |
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Features
Directions for Instant Indigo from Judith McKenzie McCuin
Instant Indigo is natural indigo processed by a new method from India. The indigo has been pre-reduced and then freeze dried into a crystal. As long as you keep it dry, it will store indefinitely. It is easy to use, especially in a classroom situation and it gives wonderful, deep colors. It is suitable for all natural fibers and will also dye many synthetics such as nylon, tencel and rayon. It is designed to be used in industry and it is very cost effective. It works efficiently for both small and large baths.
This indigo has no demonstrated health risk. There are no toxic effects known from dust inhalation or ingestion. However, avoid breathing the dust as it may cause coughing or sneezing.
The amount of indigo to fiber depends on the depth of color you want and the type and amount of material that you are dyeing. It's better to use a milder bath and dip three times to get the depth of color. More dips gives a more even color and greatly reduces the problem of the color crocking (rubbing off) Start with 1 tablespoon for 5- 6 gallons of water. You can adjust it from there, adding more or less, as your project dictates. You can always add more indigo and you can dilute it by adding more water. Dye the darker colors first, lighter colors as the bath gets weaker. The bath can be used until there is very little indigo left.
To prepare an indigo bath with instant indigo, use a plastic pail or stainless steel pot. Fill with warm water, between 100 and 120 degrees. Fill a small jar with the warm water and add the amount of indigo you need for the depth of color you want. Stir until indigo is dissolved. Stir carefully so that you don't add oxygen to the solution. Oxygen will prevent the indigo from bonding to the fiber. The solution will turn a murky green color. This means that the indigo is reducing. Slowly pour this mix into the vat. Be careful not to add more oxygen than can be helped. Sprinkle 1/8 tsp of Rit dye remover over the top of the bath. This is sodium hydrosulphite and it helps remove the oxygen from the bath. Remember to keep the little foil package tightly closed, otherwise the hydrosulphite will deteriorate.
Let the vat sit for 10 to 15 minutes. The surface of the vat, where it comes in contact with the air, should turn a nice, deep blue with a metallic sheen. Just below the surface, however, it should be a rich, bright green. If, as you use it, the vat becomes too oxygenated, the green will disappear from the vat. This is bound to happen, no matter how careful you are. When it does, let it rest for a day. If, after you re-heat it, the blue green does not re-appear, you can add a little Rit color remover (approx. 1/32 of a tsp.) Be careful not to add too much. It makes the bath harsher to very fine fibers like cashmere and it can strip the indigo off the fibers as you re-dip to build up color. If you do add too much, the bath will become very yellow. If this happens, stir a little oxygen back in.
Everything that goes into an indigo bath needs to be well soaked. It's helpful to soak dyestuffs in a mild detergent solution as that will keep the indigo solution alkaline and, if it's possible, keep the soaking solution warm. (It won't cool the vat off so quickly) The wetter the material to be dyed, the less oxygen it will release into the dye vat. Enter everything carefully, down the side of the vat. Leave it for 20- 30 min. for a deep shade, less for lighter shades. Build up color by re- dipping rather than using a very strong bath. Let the dyed material air for several hours or, ideally, for a day, to allow the indigo to fully oxidize. This will give you the best color adhesion.
After you have the color you like, let it set for a day. Then wash the fabric, yarn or fiber in hot soapy water. This will clean all the unadhered dye off. It shouldn't affect the color much. but it will reduce the problem of crocking ( rubbing off).
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