indigo experiment No 1

My indigo plants are looking quite healthy, after struggling through the
weird weather during the spring and summer.    Since the plants can be
harvested and will put on new growth I just had to start experimenting
with different ways to extract the indigo and make a vat.

the leaves were picked and weighed

shredded and added to water, with white vinegar

strained through muslin - and, being mindful

of not using domestic equipment, I found

Ben's fishing net did the business

cotton soaked for two hours

result

light mint

The process took about four hours.    It is a delicate colour.  I read

somewhere that the plant has to go through the heat of summer

for the colour to come.  Ha!    

Meanwhile

I wrapped the sieving cloth around a copper pipe

it is now sitting in a jar filled with liquid from the vat

 I'll let it brew for a few days in the hot conservatory