The Blue Enigma: Investigating Indigo Dye Vats 2026
The Blue Enigma: Investigating Indigo Dye Vats 2026
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Class Time: Saturday, April 25, 2022 at 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM with 1 hour break
Location: St. Louis Community College - Meramec Campus, 11333 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122. Check in at Registration 15 minutes prior to class start time at PE Building for class location.
Room: Science South, Room 106
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The class fee includes admission to the Vendor Marketplace every day of the festival; April 24 - 26, 2026.
Instructor: Gina Levesque
In this full-day investigation, we will plunge into one of history’s most iconic, and most enigmatic color mysteries: indigo. Students will explore several different methods for creating an indigo dye bath, each producing its own distinct “shade” of blue, as unique as the signature of a suspect in a case file.
Our inquiry will include a study of the history and global significance of indigo, its enduring popularity, and the curious chemistry that allows a greenish liquid to yield the deepest blues when exposed to air. We will analyze and compare multiple vat types, examining their behaviors, temperaments, and the clues they reveal to the observant dyer.
Methods covered will include:
• Fresh leaf vat (dependent on plant availability)
• Dried leaf vat (dependent on availability)
• Lye-reduced vat
• Fructose vat
• Iron vat
Throughout the day, you will gain practical experience maintaining, adjusting, and troubleshooting each vat, developing the keen observational skills needed to achieve reliable, repeatable results.
Please wear older clothing or a dye apron because indigo, like a true culprit, has a tendency to leave evidence behind.
Join us for a detective’s journey into one of the oldest, richest, and most fascinating dye traditions in the world.
Skill Prerequisite: N/A
Ages: High School, Adult
Supplies Included in Class Cost:
- Handouts
- Fabric Samples for Dyeing
- All Dyeing Materials
Additional Supplies Needed:
- Pen/Pencil and Notebook
Homework: N/A
Class Policies
- The class minimum is 4 students. If we are unable to fill these spots, we will cancel the class and provide a full refund.
- By signing up for this class, you have admission to Friday Night Vendor Marketplace Preview.
- If a class is sold out, click here to be placed on the Wait List.
- No refunds will be issued after April 1, 2025.
- For any cancellations prior to April 1, 2025, a $25 administrative fee will be assessed.
