One of the reasons I started experimenting with Tatagizomi (flower pounding) and eco- dyeing was to get to know more about what plants give to us. I am learning slowly but the experimentation makes me feel like kid again stuffing rose petals with water in a jar and expecting perfume to come out of it! There have been some interesting aromas around the house and so much to learn.

Blue pigment historically was a notoriously contrary colour to obtain and work with but is now widely available for whatever function it is needed as it is manufactured from petro chemicals. It was not always that way and in the past people laboured over extracting it from very few natural sources. The Indigo colour can be obtained from Indigofera tinctoria and Isatis tinctoria  (woad). It is possible to grow Woad in my climate and so for a few years I have grown some for leaf pounding. The prints obtained are usually green but will frequently obtain some blue tinges as the dye oxygenates. I had never tried to extract the dye as, from what I read, it was an arduous process. However I love blue and really would like to dye with a blue extracted from natural sources. The colour is just different.

If all those ancient Gallic tribes used it for body art, it cannot be that difficult I thought. That theory is now under debate and I think I am discovering what one of the reasons might have been. It is not easy.

I watched videos of those who have tried at home and I read several articles. Undeterred, I followed their experiments and embarked on my own. Although not totally successful, I have learned a lot and can’t wait ’til next year when I hope obtain the much valued natural pigment.

I picked a good amount of Woad leaves, many from my second year plants. That, I think was my first mistake. First year leaves are apparantly better (woad is a biennial). I used the food processor to chop the leaves. This could have been a second mistake as they were chopped quite finely and should, maybe, have been larger pieces. The chopped leaves were then simmered in water for an hour and left to sit overnight. Next day the leaves were strained out and discarded. The resulting liquid was very green and opaque as it still contained a lot of fiber.

In order for the blue pigment to precipitate out the mixture needed to be oxygenated. I believe I failed at this process as it involves either pouring the liquid back and forth between jars or obtaining a fish tank bubbler. I did not have a bubbler so I poured pack and forth for what seemed a long time. It was obviously not long enough because the foam produced should have turned blue. Mine did not but did have a blue tinge. I decided to continue with the expeiment ‘just in case’

The next process requires that the clear liquid be gradually be decanted off. I chose to use a drink dispenser, allow the mixture to settle and then every day decant off a bit more clear liquid. More and more green sludge appeared at the bottom and in certain lights it would look blue(so exciting). Once the solid was in a more firm state, I removed it and spread it on parchment paper where the blue pigment( if any) could dry. I luckily have a greenhouse where this step could happen without the smell permeating the house. I am sorry to say I ended up with a green flaky solid but no blue.

I believe the two biggest mistakes I made were not using first year leaves and not aerating for long enough. After expressing my disappointment; the only blue was my mood, my husband magically found an old fish tank aerator in the basement!! Next year!!

The visuals include Woad leaves hammered prints (ignore the Tansy) , settling liquid and used leaves.

For more: https://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2024/08/31/playing-with-woad/