Author Archives: Terri Shires

METHOD!

Using woad powder from woad leaves to 10gms

Measuring the fructose (sugar) to 30gms

Measuring the Calcium Hydroxide to 20gms

Checking the temperature of the water (must be 50-60 degrees)

Mixing water with the woad powder to create a paste

Mixing water and powder

Putting the paste in the hot water

Making sure all the paste is in the water

Mixing the water together

Putting the calcium hydroxide in the water

Mixing the calcium hydroxide in the water

Mixing…

Putting washed yarn in

Leave for a while…

Taking the yarn out (pull along side of the vat to get rid of the water)

Wash in clean water

Wash in clean water

Different colours can be created depending on how long the yarn is in the dye for

A dark blue

Mixture of colours

Natural dye compared to synthetic dye

Not a good vat- it has blue bubbles in it!

The collection of blues created

METHOD!

Cutting woad leaves

Adding vinegar to the woad leaves

Mixing the leaves together

Straining the woad leaves

Straining the woad leaves

Strained mixture

Washed yarn

Silk- washed yarn

Identification of the yarn

Washed yarn- ready to put in the dye

Putting the yarns in

Yarns in the dye

WAIT ONE HOUR.

Taking the yarn out of the dye

Taking yarn out of the dye

Taking yarn out of the dye