This beautiful dye is much simpler to create than most believe. It is however very smelly and messy – so the dyeing is best practiced outdoors.

 

 

6.5 litres water

80g Soda Ash (or washing soda)

15g Hydros

20g Indigo grains

 

1) Pour 6.5litres of warm water (about hand temperature) into a bucket.

 

2) Add the Soda Ash & stir until dissolved.

 

3) Sprinkle 15g Hydros into the bucket & stir until dissolved.

 

4) Slowly add 20g Indigo grains and stir gently.

 

5) Cover the bucket with cling film and leave for 1 hour before using.

 

6) Add the remaining 5 grams of Hydros to a fresh bucket of water. Pre-soak the fabric you are going to dye – this will help the resist to work as the fibres will swell when wet.  

 

7) Immerse the fabric into the dye for 5 minutes - try not to disturb the surface of the dye too much.

 

8) Remove your fabric – it should now be a limey green colour but as it is exposed to the air it will turn Indigo.

 

9) Repeat steps 7&8 until desired shade is achieved.

 

10) Rinse thoroughly in cold water until water runs clear.

 

11) The dye is now fixed and can be washed on a 40’c machine wash.