Skip to Content
Shepherd Textiles
Shepherd Textiles
Natural Dyes
Fibers
Yarn
Handwovens
Vicuña
Soap
0
0
Shepherd Textiles
Shepherd Textiles
Natural Dyes
Fibers
Yarn
Handwovens
Vicuña
Soap
0
0
Natural Dyes
Fibers
Yarn
Handwovens
Vicuña
Soap
Shop Indigo Extract
Jar with a blue sticker labeled "Indigo: Indigofera Tinctoria." Image 1 of 5
Jar with a blue sticker labeled "Indigo: Indigofera Tinctoria."
Fiber swatch showing dark blue handloom cotton. Image 2 of 5
Fiber swatch showing dark blue handloom cotton.
Fiber swatch showing dark blue silk twill. Image 3 of 5
Fiber swatch showing dark blue silk twill.
Fiber swatch showing dark blue wool canvas. Image 4 of 5
Fiber swatch showing dark blue wool canvas.
An indigo dyed tshirt on a plastic hanger hanging on a tree branch. Image 5 of 5
An indigo dyed tshirt on a plastic hanger hanging on a tree branch.
Jar with a blue sticker labeled "Indigo: Indigofera Tinctoria."
Fiber swatch showing dark blue handloom cotton.
Fiber swatch showing dark blue silk twill.
Fiber swatch showing dark blue wool canvas.
An indigo dyed tshirt on a plastic hanger hanging on a tree branch.

Indigo Extract

from $14.99

Shepherd Textiles Indigo Extract Natural Dye is extracted from the leaves of the indigo plant indigofera tinctoria. Indigo contains a blue pigment called indigotin that is the strongest of the natural blue dyes. Indigo is unique among the natural dyes in that it is not applied by dissolving it in a dye bath. The indigotin pigment is insoluble in normal water and it will not dissolve until the water is reduced (there is no dissolved oxygen gas in it) and alkaline (PH of 10 or above). To create these conditions, it is necessary to build what is referred to as a “reduction vat.” There are a variety of techniques for doing this, ranging from a quick and easy chemical vat (thiourea dioxide + soda ash) to the much more pleasant-smelling and friendly banana vat (boiled banana water + pickling lime). Once the vat is constructed, the indigo will dissolve and turn clear. After that, wetted fibers are dipped in the vat. When they are pulled out, oxygen in the air forces the dissolved indigo out of solution and turns the fiber blue. Indigo is available in many forms; we selected ours for both dyeing strength and environmental responsibility. Our indigo is sourced from farms in southern India that practice sustainable agriculture: after the dyestuff is extracted, the spent leaves are composted for fertilizer and the wastewater from extraction is returned to the fields to water the next crop. Our indigo contains up to 40% indigotin by weight, making it twice as strong as most indigos on the market. One ounce will dye a pound of fiber to a very dark midnight blue.

Please read our Guide to Dyeing with Indigo Extract for color recipes, background, and safety information.

Product of India. Produced by a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified manufacturer.

Size:
Quantity:
Add To Cart

Shepherd Textiles Indigo Extract Natural Dye is extracted from the leaves of the indigo plant indigofera tinctoria. Indigo contains a blue pigment called indigotin that is the strongest of the natural blue dyes. Indigo is unique among the natural dyes in that it is not applied by dissolving it in a dye bath. The indigotin pigment is insoluble in normal water and it will not dissolve until the water is reduced (there is no dissolved oxygen gas in it) and alkaline (PH of 10 or above). To create these conditions, it is necessary to build what is referred to as a “reduction vat.” There are a variety of techniques for doing this, ranging from a quick and easy chemical vat (thiourea dioxide + soda ash) to the much more pleasant-smelling and friendly banana vat (boiled banana water + pickling lime). Once the vat is constructed, the indigo will dissolve and turn clear. After that, wetted fibers are dipped in the vat. When they are pulled out, oxygen in the air forces the dissolved indigo out of solution and turns the fiber blue. Indigo is available in many forms; we selected ours for both dyeing strength and environmental responsibility. Our indigo is sourced from farms in southern India that practice sustainable agriculture: after the dyestuff is extracted, the spent leaves are composted for fertilizer and the wastewater from extraction is returned to the fields to water the next crop. Our indigo contains up to 40% indigotin by weight, making it twice as strong as most indigos on the market. One ounce will dye a pound of fiber to a very dark midnight blue.

Please read our Guide to Dyeing with Indigo Extract for color recipes, background, and safety information.

Product of India. Produced by a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified manufacturer.

Shepherd Textiles Indigo Extract Natural Dye is extracted from the leaves of the indigo plant indigofera tinctoria. Indigo contains a blue pigment called indigotin that is the strongest of the natural blue dyes. Indigo is unique among the natural dyes in that it is not applied by dissolving it in a dye bath. The indigotin pigment is insoluble in normal water and it will not dissolve until the water is reduced (there is no dissolved oxygen gas in it) and alkaline (PH of 10 or above). To create these conditions, it is necessary to build what is referred to as a “reduction vat.” There are a variety of techniques for doing this, ranging from a quick and easy chemical vat (thiourea dioxide + soda ash) to the much more pleasant-smelling and friendly banana vat (boiled banana water + pickling lime). Once the vat is constructed, the indigo will dissolve and turn clear. After that, wetted fibers are dipped in the vat. When they are pulled out, oxygen in the air forces the dissolved indigo out of solution and turns the fiber blue. Indigo is available in many forms; we selected ours for both dyeing strength and environmental responsibility. Our indigo is sourced from farms in southern India that practice sustainable agriculture: after the dyestuff is extracted, the spent leaves are composted for fertilizer and the wastewater from extraction is returned to the fields to water the next crop. Our indigo contains up to 40% indigotin by weight, making it twice as strong as most indigos on the market. One ounce will dye a pound of fiber to a very dark midnight blue.

Please read our Guide to Dyeing with Indigo Extract for color recipes, background, and safety information.

Product of India. Produced by a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified manufacturer.

You Might Also Like

Annatto Extract Arrangement of yarn skeins and fiber swatches dyed orange and red with annatto extract, together with a small wooden container of annatto powder. Fiber swatch showing bright orange wool yarn. Fiber swatch showing pale red handloom cotton.
Annatto Extract
from $12.99
Jar with brown sticker labeled "Quebracho: Sch. Balansae" Jar with brown sticker labeled "Quebracho: Sch. Balansae" Jar with brown sticker labeled "Quebracho: Sch. Balansae" Jar with brown sticker labeled "Quebracho: Sch. Balansae" Jar with brown sticker labeled "Quebracho: Sch. Balansae" Jar with brown sticker labeled "Quebracho: Sch. Balansae" Jar with brown sticker labeled "Quebracho: Sch. Balansae"
Quebracho Wood Natural Dye
from $19.99
Gambir Extract Fiber swatch showing dark red-brown wool twill. Fiber swatch showing dark brown wool twill. Fiber swatch showing dark red-brown silk satin. Fiber swatch showing dark brown silk satin. Fiber swatch showing pale red handloom cotton. Fiber swatch showing pale brown handloom cotton. Fiber swatch showing red-brown eri silk. Fiber swatch showing pale red-brown tshirt cotton. GambirWool20WOFIronB.jpg
Gambir Extract
from $9.99
Jar with blue sticker labeled "Cape Jasmine: Gardenia Jasminoides." Jar with blue sticker labeled "Cape Jasmine: Gardenia Jasminoides." Jar with blue sticker labeled "Cape Jasmine: Gardenia Jasminoides."
Cape Jasmine Extract (Gardenia Blue)
from $24.99
A jar with a pink sticker labeled "Sappanwood: Caesalpinia Sappan." A jar with a pink sticker labeled "Sappanwood: Caesalpinia Sappan." A jar with a pink sticker labeled "Sappanwood: Caesalpinia Sappan." A jar with a pink sticker labeled "Sappanwood: Caesalpinia Sappan." A jar with a pink sticker labeled "Sappanwood: Caesalpinia Sappan." A jar with a pink sticker labeled "Sappanwood: Caesalpinia Sappan."
Sappanwood Extract
from $19.99

OUR STORY

CONTACT

SHIPPING & RETURNS

PRIVACY POLICY

POLICIES


Email: info@shepherdtextiles.com

© 2024 by Shepherd Textiles, LLC