Indigo-dyed fabric - 100% cotton

In a rural corner of Japan, there are a group of people who work together under the name BUAISOU who are completely dedicated to indigo. BUAISOU is comprised of a farm, dye studio, and design-studio. They are located in Tokushima prefecture, the historical center of indigo farming and processing in Japan. Every year they grow and harvest their own indigo, dry the leaves, and compost them. They combine this compost with wood ash lye, wheat bran, and water and use fermentation to create indigo vats. Within these vats, they dye every shade of blue, on items such as this fabric, sashiko thread, sewing thread, and the fabric used in their handmade pincushions. You can read more about BUAISOU and learn how to make this kind of indigo vat in our book, Journeys in Natural Dyeing.

In a rural corner of Japan, there are a group of people who work together under the name BUAISOU who are completely dedicated to indigo. BUAISOU is comprised of a farm, dye studio, and design-studio and located in Tokushima prefecture, the historical center of indigo farming and processing in Japan. Every year they grow and harvest their own indigo, dry the leaves, and compost them. They combine this compost with wood ash lye, wheat bran, and water and use fermentation to create indigo vats.

This lightweight, tightly-woven fabric is great for shirts, tunics, pants worn under tunics, quilts, and masks. The range of colors is created by repeatedly dipping the fabric into the indigo vats. Between each dip, the fabric is exposed to air. 

For those of you who are indigo connoisseurs, a fun indigo fact, is that with this style of indigo vat, the lightest shade (pale indigo) is the hardest shade to obtain. As the vat starts out strong, and it is only through use of the vat, and keeping the bacteria in the vat that make the indigo water-soluble healthy, can this color be made. Typically, we are unable to get this color from BUAISOU, but since they had a vat in this special condition at this time, we were able to get this color of fabric.

There are five shades of blue to choose from:
1 - pale indigo
2 - light indigo
3 - indigo
4 - dark indigo
5 - very dark indigo*

*Very dark indigo, due to the labor-intensive process of dyeing and washing, is slightly more expensive.

When working with fabric dyed with indigo, it is common and natural for the blue dye to rub off on one’s hands while sewing. This is called crocking. Although the goods have been washed, it takes pressured contact to release the extra indigo dye. Your handwork is part of the indigo dyeing process. The blue dye can be removed with hot water and soap. From working closely with indigo-dyed materials through the making process, typically, the excess dye has been removed, and the crocking will cease.

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Please note the fiber content of the fabric you are working with, and follow the applicable instructions: 

Cotton, linen, or ramie - Machine washable on cool cycle. Hang to dry or machine-dry using low temperature. 

Silk - Handwash with cool water recommended. Hang to dry.

Superwash Wool - Machine washable on cool cycle with pH-neutral soap, though hand wash recommended. Lay flat or hang to dry.

Wool and Wool blends - Handwash only in lukewarm water with pH-neutral soap. Lay flat or hang to dry.

This item is a final sale. Once purchased, there are no cancellations, exchanges, store credits, or returns. 

If you would like to add-to-order, please click here to review the instructions. Shipping charges are non-refundable.

If you would like to apply a discount code, please click here to review the instructions. We cannot refund discounts.

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Packages ship Tuesday through Saturday via USPS. Once shipped, you will receive a confirmation email and tracking number. Please use the tracking number provided and contact the shipping carrier directly with any questions about transit and delivery. 

US ORDERS

Please select the insured option at checkout to ensure compensation for a lost package. Once the package has been picked up by the shipping carrier, we are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged packages. We do not offer refunds or credits for lost or stolen packages.

If you select an insured option and need to file a claim with USPS, we will provide you with documentation needed to complete your claim. Packages are insured for the order total. If your package is stolen, please contact your credit card company to receive any possible compensation. 

US orders $125 pre-tax and above:
Free - Ships in 5 business days, uninsured
$5 - Ships in 4 business days, insured
$12 - Ships in 3 business days, insured

US orders under $125 pre-tax:
$9.00 - Ships in 5 business days, uninsured
$11 - Ships in 4 business days, insured
$20 - Ships in 3 business days, insured

INTERNATIONAL ORDERS
Canada: Starting at $28*
International: Starting at $35

*For packages weighing 2 pounds plus, we will invoice you for additional shipping charges. Contact us for a quote.

All international orders are shipped uninsured USPS First Class Parcel Post. We are not responsible for packages which are held in customs or lost. International orders may incur customs fees. We are not responsible for fees you may incur. International shipments can take two months to reach their destination. We caution against placing an order if you live outside the United States. At this time, we are unable to ship to the United Kingdom due to the complicated VAT situation. 

CURBSIDE PICKUP
To pick-up your order at our shop, when checking-out, under shipping method, choose Pick up at our Oakland store - 6328 San Pablo Ave.

You will receive an email when your order is ready. Orders placed Tuesday-Saturday are typically ready within 2-3 hours. To pick-up your order, come to the shop between 11am-3pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Knock on the front door and give us your name. 

PREORDERS
Preorders ship on the date listed on the product’s webpage. If you ordered additional items, all items will be shipped with your preorder. If you would like those items shipped separately, please place two separate orders.

1 yard = Qty 4
1.5 yards = Qty 6
2 yards = Qty 8
2.5 yards = Qty 10
3 yards = Qty 12
3.5 yards = Qty 14
etc..