Dye Books

 $19.95

THE ART & CRAFT OF NATURAL DYEING
Traditional Recipes for Modern Use
by J. N. Liles

The author consolidates the lore of older dyers with his own first-hand experience to produce both a history of natural dyes and a practical manual for using pre-synthetic era processes on all the natural fibers. A general section on dyeing and mordanting and a glossary introduce the beginner to dye technology. Scores of recipes provide detailed instructions on how to collect ingredients, prepare the dye vat, troubleshoot, and achieve specific shades.

$28.95

THE ASHFORD BOOK OF DYEING
Revised Edition
by Ann Milner

From an outline of the basic principles, the author takes a step-by-step approach, 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, a system which enables the dyer to recreate exactly a specific shade or color. 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.

$19.95 

THE DYER'S COMPANION
by Dagmar Klos

An essential reference for anyone who wants to dye fabric or yarns, this accessible guide offers indispensable information on equipment and supplies, types of dye, safety procedures, and record keeping. Beginners will gain the confidence to add color to fiber while seasoned textile artisans will discover useful tips and hints. An eight-page color section with 100 skeins of yarn in a range of color gradations and an explanation of the fundamentals of color theory provide dyers with encouragement to explore their own dyeing variations.

A DYER'S GARDEN
by Rita Buchanan

"Using dyes from plants is my way of saving colors...", states this author, and she helps you rediscover old techniques, research and create new ones and grow your own for more opportunity and greater reward. Photos and descriptions of 30 plants are supplied, related species, how to grow them and how to dye hundreds of colors. The author discusses which plants to grow or not to grow; she has included questions from seminar she teaches with answers. 112 pages in this indispensable little book.

$29.95 

DYES FROM AMERICAN NATIVE PLANTS
A Practical Guide
by Lynne Richards & Ronald Tyrl

In this fascinating book, the authors have compiled extensive information to bring the techniques, plants, and lore of natural dyeing within every reader's reach. Chapters include discussions of color theory, dye equipment, dye process, mordants, and easy-to-follow instructions for processing plants and dyeing fabrics. The core of this book is an exhaustive reference to the hundreds of colors that can be obtained from 158 commonly encountered North American plant species.

$39.95

FABRIC DYEING & PRINTING
by Kate Wells

Given the number of years that the author has worked with dyes, we would expect a reliable guide to the art and practice of transforming cloth into individual works of art. Here we have just such a guide and it is encyclopedic in scope. It begins with the basic steps to consider before any design can be applied. Handpainting is considered using dyes and textile paints applied directly on fabric, then printing with masks and stencils, monoprints, direct silk screening, printing with foils, and more.

$25.00

A HANDBOOK OF INDIGO DYEING
by Vivian Prideaux

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.

$19.95

HANDS ON DYEING
by Betsy Blumenthal & K. Kreider

This workbook on controlled dyeing teaches you an easy method to obtain repeatable, predictable results with the use of commercial dyes. Sections include rules of controlled dyeing, equipment, mixing the dye stock solutions, fiber types, applying dye, color theory, color mixing, resist techniques, overdyeing for sets of harmonious colors, and overdyeing to subdue colors. Rewarding and simple projects give you practice in both dyeing and using your custom colored yarns and fabrics. 86 illustrations, 26 in color.

$29.95 

INDIGO, MADDER & MARIGOLDS
A Portfolio of Colors from Natural Dyes
by 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.

$149.95

KOEKBOYA
By Harald Bohmer

Koekboya is a Turkish word. Literally translated it means root-dye. It is used in Turkey for all kinds of natural dyes, whether they are actually made from roots ... flowers, leaves tubers or seeds. Even insect dyes are included in the Turkish expression Koekboya

In this book almost 100 dye plants from Turkey and around the world are introduced on a scientific basis: their botany, their qualities for dyeing, their cultural and historical importance, and - in light of the world-wide Renaissance of natural dyeing - aspects concerning their reintroduction for practical use or as a hobby

$14.95 

NATURAL DYEING
by Jackie Crook

For thousands of years, natural dyes have been celebrated for their subtlety and diversity—and, thanks to contemporary concerns about chemicals and toxins, their popularity is surging again. Fortunately, as this vibrant guide so elegantly shows, the craft is both easy and enjoyable to explore and requires no special equipment: just ordinary pots and pans. A thoroughly illustrated tutorial covers all the basics of hot and cool dyeing, and 30 colorful options to try, including roots and plants (madder, tumeric, henna), wood (cutch, fustic), flowers (safflower, dandelion, daffodil), leaves and stalks (tea, rhubarb, indigo), and fruits and vegetables (blackberry, wild cherry, avocado). From pale pinks and vibrant oranges to earthy browns and rich blues, a vast spectrum of hues awaits.

$8.95

NATURAL DYES AND HOME DYEING
by Rita Adrosko

This is two books in one. The first documents the use of about 50 of the most common natural materials in the United States used for dyeing before the introduction of synthetic dyes. The second is a revised version of "Home Dyeing with Natural Dyes," an out-of-print U.S. Department of Agriculture publication first issued in 1935. The dye recipes in that publication still stand among the most thoroughly tested of those published in recent years.

$15.00

THE ROOT OF WILD MADDER
Chasing the History, Mystery, and Lore of the Persian Carpet
by Brian Murphy

Every Persian carpet has a story to tell -- from the remote villages of Afghanistan and Iran, down the ancient trade routes traveled for centuries, to the bazaars of Tehran and the markets of the Western world. Carpet-making is one of this tumultuous region's few constants, an art form that transcends religious and political turmoil. Part travelogue and part exploration into the meaning and worth of these mystical artifacts, The Root of Wild Madder presents practical information about carpets while exploring the artistic, religious, and cultural complexities of these enigmatic lands.

$29.95

$14.95 

WANT NATURAL COLOUR?
A "How To" Guide for Natural Dyes on Protein Fibers, with Tips, Techniques, Mordanting and Afterbath Processes
by Jeanie Reagan

This is a companion for any of the color picture books on natural dyeing. There is good introductory information for those new to dyeing with plantstuff, fiber preparation and mordanting. The core of this handbook is the abundance of anecdotes and facts about a wide range of plants. The book is a bit Eastern United States oriented as far as the plant names go, but is still very useful compendium of dye lore for the serious dyer.

$30.00

NEW!
THE YARN LOVER’S GUIDE TO HAND DYEING
Beautiful Color and Simple Knits
by Linda LaBelle

For all knitters and crocheters who want to take their craft to the next level by creating their own unique, handpainted yarns comes a practical primer for the kitchen-sink dyeing, plus 50 patters atnd tips from well-known artisans. Fiber artist, weaver, and teacher Linda LaBelle combines simple techniques for hand dyeing at home with easy yet sophisticated knit and crochet patterns for everything from ponchos to scarves and hats to arm warmers that are designed to show off the rich hues and quirky patterns of hand-dyed yarns.

$21.95 

YARNS TO DYE FOR
Creating Self-Patterning Knitting Yarns
by 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.