“I saw a lady at the opera dressed in a couture gown of the indigo charmeuse. She actually didn't know it was "Naturally dyed by Aurora Silk" (designers rarely put me on the label) but she knew this: "I bought it because of the color!"
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| Indigo on Fine 2-ply Silk. Left to Right: AS# 21, 22, 23, 24 |
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. Slowly the air changes it to the beautiful deep and rich blue of Indigo.
Warning: Do not use Madder Extract in the Indigo fermentation vat because the extraction process heats the madder thus destroying the fermenting enzyme.
The best for Medium and Light Blues
1 oz |
4 oz |
1Lb |
5 lbs |
The best for Dark and Medium Blues
1 oz |
4 oz |
1 lb |
5 lb |
1 Kilo |
1 oz |
4 oz |
Indigo in some form is used in all traditional cultures, for it is the only clear and fast natural blue. Indigo dyeing was one of the first speciality professions. Yet it is easy to keep a home pot going, and most colonial homesteads had one. This recipe is the one most recommended for home dyeing. It contains no harsh chemicals nor toxic metals. It can be used to dye any natural fiber.
An additional beauty of dark Indigo is that when ironed or pounded, the blue cloth takes on a beautiful coppery sheen - the same sheen that is seen on the well reduced Indigo vat, when it is ready for dyeing. You can see this in the picture above. 
“Most natural dyework is like boiling an egg – ultra simple once you understand the basic concept. Indigo dyeing is like making bread. So follow the recipe carefully and expect that it will take a little time before it becomes second nature.”
Cheryl’s Natural Fermentation Indigo Kit takes you thru the process step by step.
Please also read the detailed tutorial posted here by Cheryl, who has used no other but this vat for her 40 years of professional Natural dyework: Indigo Tutorial, Natural Fermentation vat. Note, her current vat, pictured above, is over 20 years old. It is recharged with Indigo every few weeks and never discarded.
"I am having great success with indigo. It is my first love. When I smell it, I know I am home. I feel like the dye stuff I have gotten from you is so pure and special. I told the urban craft center in Santa Monica that you are the one and only source! Hearing from you is always in inspiration" - J. F.
Aurora Silk offers many Indigo dyed products: fabric, yarn & needlework threads, and clothing.
True Indigo blue with fermentation or chemical vat is very fast in the dark shades. The beautiful turquoise blue with sulfuric acid (see Scandinavian recipes for "Oleum") is a more brilliant tone but not fast to washing.
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