Indigo Archives - Page 5 of 13

Video From LIVE FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Madame Magar

This week’s FEEDBACK FRIDAY was with Leigh Magar of Madame Magar. Leigh talked about all things indigo from her work as an indigo artist, designer, farmer and educator on issues surrounding indigo’s origins. Watch the video recording here: Madame Magar is a textile design studio inspired by art, nature, folkways and history. The studio embraces a “seed to stitch” design philosophy that explores the history, a rich yet tangled past of place; while living and working on a former indigo plantation. The “seed to stitch” vision is inspired by Eliza Lucas Pinckney; who as a young girl in the 1740’s … Read more

Video From LIVE FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Kathy Hattori Q&A

This week’s FEEDBACK FRIDAY was all about Botanical Colors’ Founder/President, Kathy Hattori for a Q&A. Watch the video recording here: …and here are a bunch of questions Kathy didn’t get to that she’s answered: I would like to know how to work with a lump of logwood extract that got damp. maybe in a blog post? Yes, we’ll put a post together that talks about stock solutions. I have mixed old nails with vinegar and the liquid started foaming. What is happening? It sounds like it was a reaction from the metal and the vinegar. Perhaps some of the nails … Read more

Video from LIVE FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Aboubakar Fofana

This week, we’ve got video from our live FEEDBACK FRIDAY featuring Aboubakar Fofana. We got to take a walk through Aboubakar’s art and life’s work through a visually stunning slideshow as well as a mini-film featuring his farm in Mali, West Africa. We’ve never had more emails thanking us for giving access to such an inspiring human, and presentation as well as how honored they felt to be part. Thank you again Aboubakar. WATCH THE RECORDING HERE: Below is the introduction from today we didn’t have in the recording (because we almost forgot to record!) Many have asked how to … Read more

Video From LIVE FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Cara Marie Piazza

This week, we’ve got video from our live FEEDBACK FRIDAY featuring natural dyer and artist Cara Marie Piazza. Cara took us through her process foraging for and utilizing flower and food waste in Brooklyn. We also just opened up registration for two online classes with Cara Marie Piazza taking place June 6th and June 27th that you won’t want to miss. Watch the recording here: During this FEEDBACK FRIDAY, Cara discussed transforming avocado pits and peels, edible flowers, onion skins, nut shells, and other dye stuffs into dyes. We’ll also talk about how to set up your own home dye … Read more

Video From LIVE FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Indigo with Maryland Institute College of Art

This week, we’ve got video from our live FEEDBACK FRIDAY featuring the Indigo Shade Map with the Maryland Institute College of Art and the Baltimore Natural Dye Initiative. Watch the video here: The Baltimore Natural Dye Initiative brings together multiple agencies, including the Maryland Institute College of Art, as well as artists and designers to explore the cultural and economic impacts of growing, processing and using natural dyes in the greater Baltimore region. As part one in a 3-part series, we took a look at a newly created Indigo Shade Map, an evolving online, interactive site that maps the locations, … Read more

Mid-Week FEEDBACK: Indigo Iron Vat & Expired Dyes

This week: How to make an indigo iron vat, can dyes expire and washfastness

Video From Live FEEDBACK FRIDAY: The 1-2-3 Indigo Vat Using Iron

This week, we’ve got video from our live FEEDBACK FRIDAY exploring a version of the famous 1-2-3 indigo vat using iron. Watch the recording here: This time around we explored a version of the famous 1-2-3 indigo vat using iron (ferrous sulfate) as our reducing agent. This is a useful vat for achieving darker shades, but comes with a few caveats. We reviewed how to make the vat using the 1-2-3 method (the proportions are a little different than the fructose vat), and what to do when your vat turns purple (really). We also reviewed safety and best practices. Botanical Colors’ … Read more

FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Indigo Flower Pigment & Stripping Color

This week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Painting using the indigo flower pigment and how to strip color from a naturally dyed fiber

A spoon of yellow powder on a stack of bright yellow and green fabrics and yarn

FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Mordanting Fabric Before or After Indigo Dyeing

This week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY: When overdyeing indigo with weld, mordanting before or after?

Botanical Colors Natural Dye Glossary

There are so many terms and techniques in the natural dye space that we decided to create a natural dye glossary for you! Unless you work in a natural dye house full-time or have been doing dyeing since time immemorial, you’re not apt to know everything. We created this glossary of terms so that you can look like a plant dye master and a natural dyeing pro. Well, at least you’ll sound like it. Check out the terms below and shoot us an email if you think we left something out and need to add it! Natural Dye Glossary Alkaline: … Read more