Where can I buy indigo dyeing supplies in person?

August 4, 2018 7:11 AM

I was planning to do some indigo dyeing this weekend, but left my thiox (Thiourea dioxide) at home, a three hour drive from where I am now. Is thiox, or alternatively Sodium Hydrosulfite, something that can be purchased in person outside of specialty dye stores? Or, can you think of a store in Indianapolis where I could buy supplies for natural dyeing and/or a premixed indigo dyeing kit?

I’ve already tried the local Joann Fabrics, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby to see if they have kits, with no luck.

posted by cimton to Grab Bag (3 answers total)

Best answer: I think you might have better luck doing a fruit vat so you don’t need the thiox than trying to track it down. You can get fructose pretty readily if you don’t want to deal with buying a bag of apples (or collecting fallen fruit) and straining off the juice.
posted by janell at 9:03 AM on August 4, 2018

Best answer: Here is a good description of the fruit vat method, btw. Pickling lime should be available at any place with canning supplies.
posted by janell at 9:09 AM on August 4, 2018

Response by poster: I didn’t even think of a fruit vat - perfect suggestion!
posted by cimton at 10:00 AM on August 4, 2018