Fresh Indigo

Basket of Japanese indigo leaves

One of the nicest things about growing indigo is dyeing with the fresh leaves. It's a quick summertime treat. The colors are different from vatted indigo. The shades are greener, like robin eggs, turquoise, or mossy water.

Strained dye

Dyebath, rinse water, and leftover leaves

Little particles of indigo leaves in the rinse water

Silk embroidery threads

Organza silk before the final rinse

After washing and rinsing