Archive | July, 2022

Drought Wins Out Over Big Jar

26 Jul

We have major heat and drought here in Central Texas. I cannot justify running my Big Indigo Jar this year due to the looming water restraints. Although the 110 gallons lasts all summer there is also the rinsing with water. That’s water that is needed elsewhere. We are on well & rainwater, both are limited resources this year. I am sad to not be using this 100° heat this summer but it has been relentless, starting in early May and cranking up to 104°+ in June. Major heat that high usually does not start till July. Prep was physically uncomfortable without a rainy break to cool things down. Did I mention we are in an exceptional drought as opposed to an extreme drought? I can’t even remember how many days we’ve broken 100° but it has been at least more than 20, with no rain, Stupid Hot.

Drained & Dried
Waiting for next summer

So, I have spent spring pulling my indigo mud out of my jar and vinegar washing it to clear the calcium carbonate. To add insult to injury we only had 3 days of 100+ temp last year. Last year’s clean mud was ready to mix with fresh indigo from Stony Creek Colors and Botanical colors. Fructose and Calcium Hydroxide were at the ready as well but will hold till next year. So, I am setting aside the store bought indigo and drying my mud for storage for next year. My Dudas filters work well for mud drying as well as washing with vinegar.

Washed indigo mud drying in the heat.

My alternative this year is to turn to wax batik and silk painting with pigments and dye. It will definitely be cooler and another skill to practice. I have different tools to use for wax application. I need the practice. And it will be indoors, with AC!

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Persimmon Recap (Diospyros texana)

20 Jul

Enough folks have asked me about dyeing with our Texas persimmon that I gather up my random blog process posts from over the years and give you the steps first and then put in web links to my blog entries to give a bit of visual detail. The persimmons are green right now, get out there before the sun cranks up and pick them. You can hold them in the fridge until you gather enough for your holding vessel. About a pound of fruit gives you enough to experiment with.  I don’t bother with pulling the leaves on the top of the fruit, they are along for the ride until you strain. Enjoy!  Deb Mc

  1. Pick when green, green gives you the best yellow, if you want gold you can leave it in the sun.  Personally, to get gold I prefer to let the brew age (more below on that)
  2. Place unripe fruit to soak in a closed jar, be sure and release the lid to release the gas formed by fermenting.  If you don’t you will get bent lids or spewing when you open it.
  3. I usually soften for about a month.  I then squash and use 1st squeeze for yellow.  You will find out how good your sense of smell is.
  4. I do filter and just dye with the liquid, just submerge yard or fabric in and circulate.  You will see color strike.  It is like an indigo or walnut bath, a substantive bath so no prep necessary.  You can experiment with overdyeing, mordant or afterbaths for other color variation. At this point I discard the fruit.
  5. Once you squash and expose to a lot of air the oxidation kicks in and the brew starts to go gold rather than yellow.  I also explored working with ripe persimmons but the results were underwhelming for me.
  6. I set aside jars of filtered brew with year vintage marked.  As you go thru the years you will get browner colors.  I have yet to get to black.

Below are some visuals for you to follow…..

  1.  Pick when green, green gives you the best yellow, if you want gold you can leave it in the sun.  Personally, to get gold I prefer to let the brew age (more below on that) https://debmcclintock.me/2013/06/13/diospyros-texana-persimmon-smashing/
  2. Place unripe fruit to soak in a closed jar, be sure and release the lid to release the gas formed by fermenting.  If you don’t you will get bent lids or spewing when you open it.  https://debmcclintock.me/2012/07/09/persimmon-size-vintage/
  3. I usually soften for about a month.  I then squash and use 1st squeeze for yellow.  You will find out how good your sense of smell is.  https://debmcclintock.me/2013/08/06/meet-persi/
  4. I do filter and just dye with the liquid, just submerge yard or fabric in and circulate.  You will see color strike.  It is like an indigo or walnut bath, a substantive bath so no prep necessary.  You can experiment with overdyeing, mordant or afterbaths for other color variation. At this point I discard the fruit.  https://debmcclintock.me/2012/09/02/greens-over-or-under/  https://debmcclintock.me/2011/08/18/no-black-yet/
  5. Once you squash and expose to a lot of air the oxidation kicks in and the brew starts to go gold rather than yellow.   I also explored working with ripe persimmons but the results were underwhelming for me. https://debmcclintock.me/2012/07/30/persimmon-revisited-or-still-searching-for-black/
  6. I set aside jars of filtered brew with year vintage marked.  As you go thru the years you will get browner colors.  I have yet to get to black.  https://debmcclintock.me/2013/07/23/lichen-persimmon-vintages-and-fresh-weld-results/
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