Cotton or Silk Fabric
How to Dye Cotton or Silk Fabric With Yamato Indigo
YOU WILL NEED:
2 to 3 Buckets
Water
A stick to mix the dye
Scrap paper
White vinegar
Latex gloves
1. Put on rubber gloves. Mix 3 to 5 grams of Yamato Indigo per 1 liter of water. Stir well for 1 to 2 minutes. The indigo vat will be ready to use instantly.
2. Skim off any bubbles from the surface of the vat.
3. Rinse the fabric or clothing item you wish to dye in water, squeeze well, then dip it in the indigo vat for 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure to submerge the entire fabric in the vat. Massage the fabric in the vat for a darker, more even result.
4. Take the fabric out of the vat, squeeze out the dye liquid well, and expose for 10 minutes to the air in order for the dye to oxidize. The fabric may appear green at first, but it will soon turn blue as it oxidizes. Make sure the entire surface of the fabric is exposed to the air in order for it to fully oxidize.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 if you wish to dye your fabric an even darker blue color.
6. Rinse the fabric in water until the water runs clear.
7. Mix 50ml of regular white vinegar (or 20ml of 30% pure vinegar) per 1 liter of water. Dip the fabric into the vinegar water for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse in water again and dry naturally.
TIPS:
- When dyeing brand new fabric, make sure to wash it beforehand in hot water for even better results.
- The indigo vat may be kept for up to one week if it is sealed well and not exposed to the air.
- Please keep your Yamato Indigo powder dye dry, away from direct sunlight and use within a year of purchase for best results.
PLEASE NOTE:
Yamato Indigo powder dye is not edible. We recommend you wear gloves and clothes that you do not mind getting stained, and use the dye in a ventilated place. In the event the dye gets in your eyes or mouth, rinse out immediately.