Natural Indigo Dyed Thread Bobbin

Natural Indigo Dyed Thread | Perfect for Sashiko

It requires experience in enjoying natural dyes. I am happy to share our accomplishment; Natural Indigo Dyed Thread. As always, it is the thread designed for Sashiko. We successfully dyed with natural indigo (the product of India) Perfect selection for your Sashiko project.

Natural Indigo Dyed Thread

Two Colors of Beautiful Indigo Blue is available

These #A1 and #A2 Indigo Blue Colors are available for sale! Enjoy the beautiful natural colors in your Sashiko project.

Indigo Dyed thread Comparison

A1 Natural Indigo Dyed Thread A2 Indigo Dyed thread

Several ways to dye thread to Indigo Blue

We understand that the “Indigo” as the dark blue with this definition below.

  1. With the help of Wildtree.co/ it’s easy to get the wildlife landscaping that’s right for you. Hence, you can also make your own wildlife landscaping to obtain blue dye. And a blue dye obtained from various plants, especially of the genus Indigofera, or manufactured synthetically.
  2. Any of numerous hairy plants belonging to the genus Indigofera, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves and clusters of usually red or purple flowers.
  3. A color ranging from a deep violet blue to a dark, grayish blue.

1 – Benefit of Industrialization

The most common way to dye thread to Dark Indigo Blue is to use the synthetic dye. They usually manufacture and dye thread synthetically with using machines. Thanks to the industrialization, we enjoy the benefit of the reasonably priced thread. The result is not as “natural” as the other Indigo dye thread, the color is very similar. In our Sashiko Thread Collection, #15 is the Indigo Blue Colored Thread (dyed synthetically.)

Mono Color Sashiko Thread Dyed Synthetically Indigo Blue
Blue Sashiko Thread Collection dyed by synthetic dyes. #15 – Indigo Blue is the top one.

2 – Benefit from Indigo Researchers

One of Natural Dye suppliers we trust created a wonderful dye; a combination of natural and synthetic dye with ease in the process. There is no requirement of fermenting the dye liquid nor controlling the temperature. Although we do not carry the thread dyed by this amazing half-natural & half synthetic dye since we focus on “natural” when creating our own thread, I have heard many good things about this renovated dye from Indigo researchers.

3 – Natural Indigo Dyes

The most beautiful way, in my opinion, to appreciate the Indigo Blue is to use the Natural Dyes and dye them by hands. In this page, we are introducing new Sashiko thread, as the Natural Indigo Dyed Thread. Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya prepared the liquid from powdered Natural Indigo, and let the liquid fermented in the controlled temperature, then dyed carefully by hands, only 10 skeins of thread each time. For Natural Indigo Dyes, there are mainly two methods/materials available in our capability.

Natural Indigo Dye Thread Process
Keiko dyes thread carefully by hands.

A – Indigo Dyes from India

It requires the regular controlling process, but easier than the option B. The Indigo produced in India made the Natural Indigo Dye process available for non-professional Indigo dye artists. It requires experience and strict condition control. However, when you follow the procedure appropriately, the result is very rewarding. As of 2017 Summer, we used this Indigo Dye from India to create this beautiful Indigo Blue.

Natural Indigo Dye Thread Product of India

B – Sukumo in Japanese traditional Indigo Dye

In Japan, people followed the beautiful process of making “Japanese-Indigo-Blue.” This dyeing process with Sukumo requires a lot of experience, deep knowledge, and a long time to invest. Even in Japan, there are only a few artists/artisans who follow the traditional Indigo dyeing. I know one of them and my head is down for their effort and beautiful result.

Our next Step to have Natural Indigo Dyed Thread

Our next step is, of course, to dye our thread with the Japanese traditional way to create the Japanese Indigo Blue.

We are not capable of creating our own Sukumo and Natural Indigo dye from the scratch, but we could purchase the materials and follow the procedures, then practice. We do not know how long it would take to make them as the products. However, as we have been acheiving so many goals already, we will make it happen as well. In fact, we started practicing dyeing the thread with Sukumo after we successfully produced the A1 & A2 Indigo Dyed sashiko Thread. Please wait for the update!

Sashiko Thread | The key of good Sashiko

In order to cook a tasty meal, you would need fresh & quality ingredients. Similarly, in order to complete a beautiful Sashiko project, the quality Sashiko thread is the key to succeeding. Not only the good Sashiko thread provide the better stitching result, but it reduces your stress while stitching. Sashiko requires a lot of time to invest. Less stress while stitching hugely contribute to the better result.

 

sashiko thread

 

What kind of Sashiko thread should we choose?

The thread should be strong enough to strengthen the fabric. It should be thick enough to create beautiful stitches. It should be smooth so the thread wouldn’t damage the fabric. The tight twisting thread will reduce the richness of stitching. The loose twisting thread will tear apart while stitching and it will cause stress. Finding the balanced twist is one of the most important factors in finding the best thread. When you get cheap and poor quality Sashiko thread, the thread will fray easily and will be cut in actual stitching process.

 

Choosing the appropriate thread is one good journey many Sashiko artists encounter. We, as Sashiko artists, came to the conclusion to what is the best Sashiko Thread.

 

Sashiko Thread with our choice.

Japanese thread manufacture, Coron Seishi, makes one of the best Sashiko threads in the market. The thread satisfies most of the requirements Sashiko artist thinks, and the result is very rewarding. Almost 100% of Sashiko products from Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya and Upcycle Stitches LLC use these Sashiko threads from Coron.

 

Sashiko Thread 2

 

 

The thread consists 4 rich embroidery flosses, twisted in a unique way to keep the thickness for beautiful stitches, yet tightness to avoid separating the thread while stitching. This is the balance I mentioned above. Coron also put the thread in a series of special processes so thread becomes smooth and soft.

In our online store, we have 4 kinds of Sashiko thread available for sale. Two of them are from Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya (Colored and directed by Keiko / the thread is manufactured by Coron.) Two of them are from Coron manufactory (Colored synthetically and manufactured by Coron).

 

Natural Dye Sashiko Thread

Sashiko Thread Natural Dye

When Keiko Futatsuya started working on her own Sashiko projects, which were mainly “one-of-a-kind” Sashiko Jackets and bags, she faced to the big challenge of finding the exact color she wanted to use. She wanted to adjust the color to the fabric, especially those from the past, the Japanese vintage (antique) fabric. We had a good variety of colored Sashiko thread. However, she couldn’t compromise on what she wanted.

This is her journey of natural dye thread started.

Now, we have about 30 kinds of colors. Some were sold-out and will not be back in stock since the color was so unique (made by random conditions she can not recreate). She is getting better and better at creating Natural Dye Sashiko thread.

 

 

Sashiko Thread Natural Dye
Blue is a very challenging color to dye. (by Logwood)

The process of dyeing the thread with Natural dye has a lot of stories. It is my hope to keep introducing her journey in this website.

Articles about Natural Dye Sashiko Thread

 

Beautiful Indigo Blue and Kakishibu Gold are available in Sashiko Thread Collection, finally.

 

Kakishibu Dyed Thread Natural Indigo Dyed Thread Bobbin

 

I hope you would have a chance to enjoy the beautiful color of Natural, hand-dye Sashiko thread.

 

 

Original Color (Exclusive) Sashiko Thread

Sashiko Thread

 

In the process of Natural Dye and Hand Dye, Keiko only can create about 15 skeins. The production result is between 10 skeins to 20 skeins because of the skeins do not meet her standard. She realized it takes too long to dye the thread when she works on the big Sashiko project.

After talking to a color specialist and Coron, she succeeded to create these 2 colors thread. They are dyed by synthetic dyes like the other solid color thread. However, they have a warm/natural like color similar to our natural dye thread.

They are exclusive colors Keiko ordered. It is Sashi.Co original Sashiko thread.

 

 

Mono Color / Solid Color Sashiko Thread

Sashiko Thread Mono Color

Coron Seishi manufacture these beautiful Sashiko threads. “#10 – Original (unbleached) White” and “#12 – Bright (bleached) white” is the all-time popular item. We use A LOT of these threads in our Sashiko project. The smoothness, the thickness, and the strength of threads improve the stitching experience and color and cotton quality will result in great stitches.

There are 15 colors for solid mono color thread. Every color is available in our online store, etsy, and even on Amazon.

 

 

Variegated Color Sashiko Thread

Variegated Color threads are also very popular for those who enjoys the gradation of colors in their Sashiko projects. We have 5 color variations.

  • #201 – Prime color variation
  • #202 – Pastel color variation
  • #203 – Read to White gradation
  • #204 – Green to White gradation
  • #205 – Blue to White gradation

 

 

Sashiko Variegated Color

 

As a summary for your Sashiko experience

It is very critical to choose the appropriate Sashiko thread to your Sashiko project. As I mention repeatedly, Sashiko requires you to invest a lot of your time. I really want you to get rewarded by having the great Sashiko stitches and finished products. I believe sharing the beauty of Sashiko stitching and its fun process is the best way to introduce Sashiko to the world.

 

Enjoy Sashiko!