Introduction to the Fructose Indigo Vat

Fiber Arts Class with Instructor Pamela Wilson

Date: Sunday, October 4
Time: Full day class begins at 9:00am
Cost: $150 plus $15 materials fee

Class Description: In this day-long workshop, students will learn the basics of building and working with a fructose indigo vat–sometimes described as the 123 vat. This low-heat, watershed-protective method of working with indigo allows for a range of blue hues and is compatible with both protein and cellulose fibers. In the morning, we’ll learn how to dip in a pre-made vat, then build our own. We will review fiber preparation techniques that students can apply to all natural dye practices (skein preparation, scouring, wetting out) and then spend the afternoon focusing on dipping techniques specific to the indigo vat. Students will go home with their sample skeins and are welcome to bring their own handspun wool or cellulose fibers for sample dips as well.

Experience Level: No prior experience required

Materials to be provided by instructor:
-2 pre-made indigo vats in 5 gallon buckets, one balanced for wool fibers and one for cellulose
-additional indigo, fructose and calx in premeasured jars for making a sample vat
-synthropol for scouring
-hotplate for scouring fiber, with trivets & oven mitts for hot scouring pots
-bucket warmer, tongs and stirring sticks for maintaining vats
-gloves and tarps for protecting floor
-buckets for rinsing and
-drying rack for skeins
-markers, tape, plastic bags
-yarn swifts
-premade, prescoured samples for students

Materials to be provided by students:
-aprons
-long rubber gloves
-clothing appropriate for dye work, including closed toe shoes
-plastic bags/plastic bin for transporting wet skeins home
-sample skeins (10-40 yards) of wool or cellulose fibers, handspun welcome