playing nine patch with play-day indigo shibori samples……
things i learned so far about indigo dyeing:
-it’s messy- keep separate tools for indigo
-i like the variations of blue that can be achieved-i’m not so interested in solid shade dyeing which is good as that seems more difficult!
-the indigo vat is constantly changing
-i like to remove the texture with indigo so i can appreciate the different shades of blue
-there’s a LOT more to learn!
12 Comments
February 14, 2008 at 4:02 am
where did you get the indigo? i really want to try this. i am waiting till i stop commuting!
these are gorgeous. i have looked around for indigo dyed silk and haven’t found much.
i am so excited!
February 14, 2008 at 10:40 am
i am using pro indigo from ProChem. it’s a synthetic (freeze dried?) version of indigo.
February 14, 2008 at 10:48 am
I love your samples. I used to use indego but my husband has band it because of the smell. He is really so tolarnt but I can no lnoger use indego as he said he’d leave me.
February 14, 2008 at 11:41 am
there is a slight odor to the indigo-nothing i personally found distasteful but i am working outside. i don’t like doing anything odiferous in the house besides cooking so i can understand your husband’s request.
there are many ways to get an indigo blue with acid dyes or perhaps a local workshop on indigo….
February 17, 2008 at 8:20 am
The 9 patch blocks are gorgeous. How did you come up with patterns? I almost signed up for a 14 week class on indigo dyes at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. Like your husband, I have chemical sensitivities so I was afraid I would get sick. The class was about making dyes from plants and creating an indigo garden in your home so I am not sure how bad the smell would be.
February 17, 2008 at 9:40 am
violette-
the patterns were mostly a result of random folding, clamping and binding. nothing elaborate-just free play dyeing. that’s the beauty of shibori at times- the unexpected results. then again, shibori designs can be completely planned out and meticulous but ultimately unique. give it a try sometime with whatever dye set you have on hand.
February 27, 2008 at 8:31 pm
[...] and just because I could, I dyed 10 yards of solid indigo 4″ ribbon- -perhaps to be used on my indigo shibori nine patch [...]
February 28, 2008 at 2:14 am
Gorgeous samples. I don’t know which one I love more.
March 1, 2008 at 4:39 am
i’ve learned patience from indigo
been trying for 9 summers and last summer (#10) i finally got a vat going.
now this summer embraved(is that a word?) i’m going to try with some treasured sukumo.
neki desu
March 1, 2008 at 10:39 am
[...] recent comment from neki rivera (neki desu) at A Moveable Feast got me looking for info on sukomo (composted [...]
March 15, 2008 at 3:19 am
those squares are fabulous and I am such a “tightwad” that it seems a waste to put them all in one place.
very very cool and great design and potential for so much….
I really should look into growing my own….and learning the whole process….
October 3, 2009 at 9:04 am
beautiful patches!