Dyeing Books

A Dyer's Manual - $42.00
Jill Goodwin. An experimental dyer for over fifty years and well respected for her knowledge of dye plants and her work with woad, Jill published A Dyer's Manual in 1982. Following many requests a new edition has been produced, and her enthusiasm and interest can be shared with a new generation of dyers. Contents include: Preparation of Fibres, Mordants, Test Dyeing, Dyeing With Weeds, Dyes From the Garden, Ancient Dyes, Indigo, Lichen Dyes, Dyeing in Schools, Using Dyed Fibres, and an extensive chart of plants, and the colours they give with different mordants. 34 colour plates and many more illustrations.

A Handbook of Indigo Dyeing - $38.00
Vivian Priseaux. This exciting craft book on the art of indigo dyeing has an emphasis on natural fibers. Prideaux uses clear gradational photographs and well-researched information. Although the age-old art of indigo dyeing can be messy and potentially hazardous, careful guidance from the author calms any concerns with thorough assistance on safety and preparation. You will discover Japanese "Shibori fabric resist…" and its "…wonderful effects…produced by folding, stitching, binding and clamping…" Several projects include an Asian jacket, cushion, and scarf, in exceptionally rich blues. 96pp. Pb.

Ashford Book of Dyeing - $35.00
Ann Milner. An outline of the basic principles, describing fabrics, relevant dyes (both natural and chemical) and techniques. For the more experienced dyer, she also provides detailed recipes for named dyes, instructions for advanced techniques, and a clear discussion of percentage dyeing. The author shows how to achieve novelty effects with hot exhaust dyeing and how to use such novel heat sources as the sun and the microwave oven. 192pp. Pb.

Eco Colour: Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles - $58.00
India Flint. Dyeing with plants is a kind of botanical alchemy, a process that gives beautiful and sometimes surprising results. It is also a gentle and ecologically sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes, which are often harmful in themselves and in the processes used in their manufacture. The book encompasses only ecologically sustainable plant-dye methods using renewable resources, and attempts to take the path of doing the least possible harm to the dyer, the end user of the object, and the environment. Various techniques are discussed. Recipes include a number of entirely new processes developed by the author, as well as guidelines for plant collection, directions for distillation of non-toxic mordants and methodologies for applying plant dyes. The book is aimed at both the novice home dyer and textile or design professionals seeking to extend their skills. 238pp. Hb.

Hands On Dyeing - $26.00
Betsy Blumenthal & Kathryn Kreider. Taking four types of versatile, easy to use, synthetic dyes, this book guides you in the dyeing of natural fibres for use in many textile crafts. Rewarding and simple projects give you practice in both dyeing and using your custom-coloured yarns and fabrics. 111pp. Pb.

Indigo, Madder and Marigold - $39.00
Trudy Van Stralen. The author gives 3-day workshops and sets up a sample workshop in this book, having you produce 24 dyed skeins and samples. She uses 20+ traditional dyestuffs from renewable resources, minimal mordants, some in combination with others, and a creative approach to dye mixing to produce a stunning range from a few dyepots. Instructions and recipes, along with equipment, preparation, use of mordants, and more bring you everything but drab colors. It's a treasure. 127pp. Hb.

Natural Plant Dyes - $15.00
Judith V Hallett. A Practical and simple guide to dyemaking with plants, which takes the reader step-by-step from plant collection to dyed yarn so easily that even novices will be inspired to try. Lists at the back of the book cover well over 100 Australian plants (and some commonly found introduced plants), each of which can potentially release five different colours with different mordants. The lists are organised under colour divisions, grouping plants which will provide a particular colour, under both botanical and common names. An excellent introductory book on dyeing. 64pp. Pb.

Yarns to Dye For: Creating Self-Patterning Knitting Yarns - $34.00
Kathleen Taylor. Beginning and veteran knitters alike can learn how to produce homemade self-patterning yarns with this easy, step-by-step guide. Instructions are provided for choosing materials and equipment, skeining and preparing yarn, and painting and dyeing the yarn—all with materials that are found in most grocery and craft stores. Twenty-five quick projects, each presented with dyeing and knitting instructions, will help develop the reader's technique and produce exciting, colorful garments, including gloves, mittens, scarves, and even a summer shell. Guidelines for modifying projects, tips on embellishing, and ideas for leftover yarn are also included. 101pp. Pb.