Dyes from American Native Plants: A Practical Guide

by Lynne Richards, Ronald J. Tyrl

The dyeing of textiles and other materials is a rewarding and delightful way to bring the colors of nature to daily living. In our technological age, dyes from plants offer subtle and diverse hues unavailable from synthetic dyestuffs. They connect practitioners to the environment as well as to the crafts and history of our ancestors. Dyes from native plants offer a special source of satisfaction and beauty. 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 processes, mordants, and easy-to-follow instructions for processing plants and dyeing fabrics. The core of the book is an exhaustive reference to the hundreds of colors that can be obtained from 158 commonly encountered North American plant species. The authors include detailed records of the various plant parts needed to produce different colors, cross-referencing each color to the Munsell color system, an internationally accepted standard for describing color. Finally, the book offers a practical botanical field guide that allows readers to locate and identify each plant in the book. Beautiful color photographs round out the volume.

340 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Emily Clanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise is very interesting. Most of the dye information seems to have been pulled from older source materials, previously existing research and interviews conducted during the Works Progress Administration interviews in the 1930's. The interviews were used to confirm regional details - especially helpful since the writing team was based in Oklahoma.

The last 2/3 of the book are very technical. Breaking dyestuffs down according to a color scale and then a photo matching guide for collecting materials out in the field.

I'd love to see a paperback edition for those of us who don't feel comfortable bring a new $30+ hardcover into a working studio / on a plant collecting expedition.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in reference book style, this book was pleasantly detailed. It thoroughly explained and helped build my understanding of the natural dying process. There were also lengthy charts explaining colors that could be gotten from different plants, so I can see this being a great resource even for more advanced dye-ers.