Fructose Indigo process

Submitted by debmcclintock on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 00:16

I wanted to post this link to a nicely written blog post by Kathy Hattori of Botanical Colors. She's broken out the steps created by Michel Garcia's research nicely for one to follow. This makes a nice indigo pot. Enjoy experimenting. Deb Mc http://botanicalcolors.com/?p=2955

Comments

Submitted by debmcclintock on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 01:18

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Sally, you are in charge of fully enjoying all the learning opportunities at the Clayton weaving conference this weekend! I'll be thinking of you guys.

Submitted by Artistry on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 18:49

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Hi Deb, I've just started playing with Michel Garcia 's Organic Indigo Vat using Fructose and Pickling Lime. I'm loving it! But I'm having a real challenge in achieving level dyeing. Do I need a larger vat so I can move my goods around more? Thoughts are very welcomed! Cathie

Submitted by Artistry on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 18:56

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I, I've tried my hand at both. I did a gradation series on kona cotton. Some sediment, unlevel dyeing. Did some fold and clamp on a well scoured cotton t-shirt same thing, but far less sendiment. One organic cotton skein, scoured, the most level so far, but not perfect.

Submitted by Artistry on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 19:01

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Actually Deb, I've posted my indigo vat and gradation series on the daily weaverlyness thread. It's the last few posts if you want to take a look.

Submitted by debmcclintock on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 19:09

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On cloth I can't help you, look around on shibori sites as they deal with cloth rotation all the time. To me the most important step is scouring or cleaning the skein ahead of time to remove spinning oils or mill dirt. Second is wetting out your skein before hand. I try to let them soak in water overnight. Spin the skeins out before you dip. The soak water does have oxygen in it and will affect your pot balance. Not critical for indigo but I have found mordanting the yarn helpful in getting even color penetration. Yes, it is an extra step but I think it is worth it. A larger pot will help and if you have a false bottom (vegetable steamer tray) to protect yarn from lime sediment that is helpful. I do turn my yarn in the pot several times slowly. Finally once you have the skein out and oxydizing turm the skeins and open the thread clumps. That way you get even oxidation of the indigo on all thread surfaces..

Submitted by debmcclintock on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 19:11

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I'll take a look at that thread, I don't usualy read that one. I tend ti read the threads that clearly define subjects, just a time thing for me.

Submitted by debmcclintock on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 19:47

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Adding a link to work with a fructose pot and gradations so that others interested can find it. http://www.weavolution.com/group/daily-weaverliness/daily-check-july-2013-26639#comment-85477

Submitted by Artistry on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 19:14

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Thank you! What would you mordant cotton skeins with for indigo? Also do you think soft water vs. hard water could be effecting this? All very good advice you've given me.

Submitted by Artistry on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 19:17

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For scouring the cotton skeins I've been using 1 teaspoon synthapol and 4 teaspoons soda ash and simmering for about 2 hours. That's only for two skeins.

Submitted by debmcclintock on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 19:18

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Alum acetate is the contemporary mordant. I'm not home so can't give you wif %. If you look ariund in all the dye books available to us there is a tannin + ? recipe. Since I don't do cotton I don't have it internalized. Check Botantical website above or Table Rock Llamas or Earthhues. I think they all reference cotton mordants or have recipes.

Submitted by debmcclintock on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 02:09

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Ha! This is the cotton mordant recipe I was thinking of... http://tablerockllamas.com/instructions/potassiumAlum.html Look all the way to the bottom for the cotton processing. Good luck, your skeins & swatches look great. Remember, we don't have indigo grandmothers standing by the pot, we have internet indigo pals.
Group Audience
Handwoven Shibori
Natural Dye Color - Extracts, Dyestuff and Pigments