
A third way to extract the dye is by water extraction. The next day, mix in builder’s lime to achieve the fade blue coloration. Some who cultivate indigo for dye suggest you start by soaking the leaves in water overnight. Many people simply bundle leaves and small branches for processing.Īfter you’ve gathered your indigo harvest, you’ll need to treat the foliage to create the blue dye. When you are harvesting indigo, you need to collect the leaves first. You should use the harvested indigo as quickly as possible after you finish picking the plant for dye. Once you have completed the indigo plant harvest, act promptly. We have one production unit, Natural Indigo Ltd, and one washing plant, Wash & Wear Ltd. The shoe features an EVA midsole for padding and comfort. The New Balance 550 White Natural Indigo Burgundy has an upper constructed from leather with a deep indigo burgundy hue.
#Natural indigo free#
Leave the rest on the indigo plant to allow it to produce energy for the following season. Get a free quote At Natural Indigo Limited, we are proud to have a dedicated team that is committed to helping our clients reach their production goals. The New Balance 550 White Natural Indigo Burgundy comes in a white, natural indigo, and burgundy color scheme. To that end, never take more than half of the leaves in any one year. When picking indigo, remember that these are perennial plants and need to continue to perform photosynthesis to survive. The ideal time of year for picking indigo for dye is just before the blossoms open.

When to Pick Indigoīefore you jump into harvesting indigo, you have to figure out when to pick indigo plants. The blue dye comes out after the leaves are treated. Note that neither the leaves nor the stems are blue. Although there are many varieties of indigo, it is true indigo ( Indigifera tinctoria) that has traditionally been used for dye.


Indigo plants have lovely flowers, but it is the leaves and branches that are used for dye. We’ll tell you how and when to pick indigo.
#Natural indigo how to#
If you want to learn how to harvest indigo to make your own dye, read on. Although the popularity of the natural dye stalled when a synthetic dye was developed, picking indigo for dye is making a comeback. It was the first dye to color Levi jeans. For years, cultivators used an indigo plant harvest to make a dye used extensively around the world. Many of us are familiar with the beautiful, faded-blue hue made famous by the indigo plant.
