Revealing their true colors
Family's decadeslong mastery of dyeing technique continues, Yang Feiyue reports.
The fabric is removed from the plate and placed in clean water until it is soaked and the paste softens. It is then submerged in a dye tank for about 20 minutes, and left to dry in the air for 30 minutes to allow the indigo to oxidize. As this happens, the fabric is turned frequently to ensure even exposure to the air.
"The dipping and oxidizing process has to be repeated six to eight times, depending on the material and weather conditions," Wang says.
After dyeing, the fabric is dried and treated with an acid solution to fix the color, before being washed and stretched on a frame. The remaining paste is scraped off using a delicate knife.
The fabric undergoes a second acid-fixing and is washed two to three times to create a clear contrast between the blue and white areas.
"Each step of the process is quite intricate, so it's a task that truly tests one's patience and attention to detail," Wang says.
