Fresh Leaf Indigo Dyeing

As part of the IndiGrowingBlue project, Rowland Ricketts teaches participants how to dye with fresh indigo leaves.  The fresh indigo dye creates a beautiful turquoise color on silk and silk/wool.  The color reminds me of the water in Hawaii and can range from the pale greenish blue to the deeper, intense turquoise.  The range of color can be due to the concentration of the dye in the leaves or the concentration of leaves used in the preparation of the dye.  The prepared dye has to be used quickly as it will oxidize with the water used to prepare it.