Article on Jenny Balfour-Paul

The Times Online has an article on Jenny Balfour-Paul (author of the indigo book).
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/gardens/article2785493.ece

There's also a link to an exhibition at the Brighton/Hove Museum that Jenny has curated.
Indigo: A Blue to Dye For
29 Sept - 6th Jan 2008

Indigo by Jenny Balfour-Paul

My copy of the new edition of Indigo by Jenny Balfour-Paul has arrived.

It's a big book. Shiny hardback. And it has more information and colour pictures than I expected.

I suspect that it is exactly the same as the previous edition, just a different publisher.


Interestingly the book is published with assitance from Olah Inc. New York, Blue Track Srl Italy, and Kurabo Industries Japan.

I ordered my copy directly from Archetype books in the U.K..

ISBN: 1904982158
Book listing

Send them an email if you want to order.

Rampuya and Aizome (Indigo)

Here are two videos introducing the processes at Rampuya workshops.

• Indigo plant processing.
• Indigo dye.
• Momotaro/Japan Blue jeans.
• Denim hand loom in action.

Rampuya use the labor-intensive techniques of slow dyeing natural indigo. They use the polygonum legume. The leaves are composted over almost one hundred days to prepare the dye material called sukumo.

The sukumo is mixed with lime and lye (remember lye in Fight Club?) and kneaded until it dissolves. More lye is added, and a sugar agent (sake).

The handloom weaves denim fabric at the honest and steady rate of only 1m per day. (sounds excessively slow to me)

I will be trying to visit these aizome/momtaro/japan blue/rampuya workshops in May.
(Thanks to Neilfuji from kato jeans for giving me the first link to the aizome tour)

I found THE LYE SCENE from Fight Club, so I thought I'd include it here.

Remember the vinegar if you're making your own indigo!

Oxidation of Indigo (video)

In this cool Russian video you can watch the oxidation of indigo.

In its reduced/liquid state indigo is yellow. As the dipped material is exposed to the air, it oxidizes and you can see it change to the expected indigo blue.