100 grams Raw Woad Leaf Powder (Isatis tinctoria) – Natural Dye

Raw woad leaf powder is made from dried and finely ground leaves of Isatis tinctoria, one of Europe’s oldest traditional sources of indigo blue. Unlike a purified indigo pigment or concentrated extract, this is the whole powdered leaf and contains the naturally occurring color compounds together with the plant material.

The powder can be used on silk with a gentle, low-impact direct application method. Mix the woad powder with warm water to create a smooth sludge, apply it directly to the silk, and allow the color to develop through repeated applications and exposure to air. This method can produce soft blue-green, gray-blue, and muted turquoise shades, depending on the fabric, concentration, temperature, and number of applications.

Raw woad powder can also be used to prepare a traditional reduced indigo vat. Because this is an unstandardized whole-plant product, pigment strength may vary naturally between batches, and the resulting color may be softer than that produced with purified indigo extract.

Traditionally raw woad powder has been applied on hair and eyebows to vcreate a dark tint. 

For best results, scour the fiber thoroughly before dyeing. Woad performs especially well on silk and other protein fibers, although results will vary depending on the dyeing method used.

Botanical name: Isatis tinctoria
Part used: Dried leaves
Form: Finely ground whole-leaf powder
Color range: Blue-green, soft blue, gray-blue, turquoise
Suitable for: Silk, wool, and experimental cellulose dyeing
Mordant: Not required
Use: Direct low-impact application or reduced indigo vat

This is a natural, minimally processed dyestuff. Variations in color, texture, and dye strength are normal and are part of working with whole botanical materials.