Laine In Color

It lives….the Indigo Vat that is!

Written on October 3, 2011 by Laine in Laine In Color

I now have two very alive, coppery colored Indigo vats to dye beautiful fabric in. Had to move it outside though. It had a distinctly chemically almost fish smell. Yuck.

Next week should be able to post the projects I make in the vat!

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I may have killed my Indigo Vat. :(

Written on September 24, 2011 by Laine in Laine In Color

It got too cold. I think. I just couldn’t find a way to keep it warm enough but not too hot.

I debated quite a bit and finally decided to keep the first batch and revive it. I hope. I used the same method as the new batch and plan to slowly warm it to 110 degrees and cross my fingers and pray!

I also started a new Indigo vat with a new strategy.

Off to local box store for an enamel canning pot 20 quart (you may remember last time I used a plastic dog food bin).

Then I used my second batch of materials (Indigo powder, madder, soda ash & bran) in warm water.

Pulled out my retro Salton food warming tray and a blankie.

I put a ceramic plate under the plastic bin, and just set the enamel pot right on top of the warming try.

I set it to just above OFF on the dial (love retro, but really miss the ability to set a digital temp).

I will stir daily and hope they both live. I need to get a few things dyed before the holidays. LOL

I’ll keep you posted. Hopefully the first vat will be revived and the second will survive.

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Dying to Dye Fabric Again!

Written on September 19, 2011 by Laine in Laine In Color

Today I started a new Indigo Vat. Talk about jumping back into the fray with both feet!

Indigo is a dye different from any other. It is dyed through a living fermentation process that does not require any mordant. The process “reduces” the Indigo, changing it from blue to yellow. In this state, it dissolves in an alkaline solution. The fiber is worked in the solution, or “vat.” When brought out to the air, it is a bright green (awesome!). Slowly the air changes it to the beautiful deep and rich blue of Indigo.

I have had the materials for quite a while thanks to Cheryl Kolander and her great products (including kits) at AuroraSilk.com and inspiration from Candy Glendening at CandiedFabrics.com and all the other fabric dyers and fabric artists.

I started with an Indigo kit from AuroraSilk (and there are lots of great products at Dharma Trading as well). What I love about their product is the precise measurements and instructions you get.

I couldn’t find a container I liked, which is very important to me and my touch of OCD. Finally, at a local box store, in the pet section, I found a perfect 3 gallon plastic container with an airtight lid.

After making sure my water was a perfect 110 degrees, I added the ingredients (see end of post) to the container, then added water almost to the very tippy top! You don’t want to leave any air (hence the airtight lid).

I stirred, and stirred, and stirred. When it looked right (and believe me, I don’t really have a clue what “right” is, I put plastic wrap over the top – sort of like you would to a pudding so a film doesn’t form) and closed the lid. I finally had my Indigo Dye Natural Fermentation Vat ready to go.

The next step was kind of hard. We went from 90 degrees to 60 degrees here in North Carolina so finding a place to keep my vat warm was gonna be a problem. Following Cheryl’s instructions, I found a box, lined it with plastic (cause you stir the vat every day), and found a light with an energy efficient bulb and put it in the corner of my kitchen cause that should be warm…right?????