Henna is a magical component of the Henna Fructose Vat. Currently my preferred Indigo vat method, easy and safe to use and dispose of. No nasties in this one. Though precautions are always required on assembly.
Henna creates a stable long lasting vat.
Henna organic Lawsonia Inermis, direct from India, does not stain your cloth instead supports and stabilises the reduction of indigo, contributing slow release of compounds that assist the fructose and microbial balance. Personally speaking, the indigo remains in reduction for longer without any additional assist over a period of 3 weeks, with the exception of heat. There's a blog that needs writing here.. dear reader...😬
For the Henna Frutose vat you will need the same amount of Henna as Fructose for your vat.
For example:
100g Indigo
200g Calcium Hydroxide
150 g Fructose
150 g Henna
Hydrate your henna using warmed water for the volume of your vat. Sieve the lumps out and pour into your vat vessel.
Weigh out your Indigo and Fructose, combine these in a separate jar or small pan using increments of warm Henna water blending fructose and indigo together , Paste first to ensure good hydration, with no lumps, continue to use add small amounts of warm henna water gradually so that there are no lumps. Add to the Henna water in your vat. I like to combine the pigment with fructose at this stage as the tiny granolas I believe assist the indigo in hydration too.
Lastly, add only 75- 100g of the calcium hydroxide and keep the rest weighed out in a separate airtight jar, in case you need to raise alkalinity, during your dye session, which will likely span days if not weeks, with consideration that your vat is now a living organism. The quantity of Lime required also leans up against the question as to which PH is appropriate for the purpose and depends on whether your goods are cellulose versus protein. Ph 10.5 for Protein fibres. PH 11 and above for Cellulose.
Too much lime can create an excess of calcium residue in the vat which then prevents indigo from adhering to fibres cohesively and can cause discolouring. This also can create a deep sludge at the bottom of your vat.
Make sure your garments or fabric are scoured correctly, removing all wax coatings or oils and lotions, from manufacture and handling. Prior to dyeing goods should be soaked and spun out shortly before entering the vat. By soaking and starting with clean damp cloth or garment, the teeth of the tiny fibres remain open and allow the indigo to penetrate deeply.
Sold in two sizes 200g & 400g, which gives you 50g or more in reserve should you need more to extend the life of your vat. Remember to rehydrate before adding more to your vat.
