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Natural Dyeing with Plants: Glorious Colors from Roots, Leaves & Flowers
The fascinating luminosity of colors from plants can be easily transferred to wool, silk, or other materials at home. Necessary materials, pickling, the preparation of fibers or substances, and different dyeing methods are described in detail. This richly illustrated book also shows how the dyed materials can be felted or turned into woolen pictures. The traditional coloring of Easter eggs with natural colors or the coloring of the sun is also explained. Last but not least, the authors deal with trend-setting ecoprinting.
152 pages, Hardcover
Published May 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 14, 2018
I received a copy from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've been dyeing yarn for a few years now and love dyeing with household items such as Kool-aid, tea, and coffee. This book caught my eye because I've been interested in dyeing yarn with flowers, so of course I was excited to read it and learn something new. There are several recipes for dying with a variety of plants along with preparation and dyeing instructions. In addition to this, the history behind each plant is provided as well as beautiful pictures of the different plants and various results that one can get dyeing fibers. I also enjoyed learning more ways to prepare fibers for dyeing as well as more ways to dye, such as cold dyeing.
The opening of the book is all about the history of dyeing and the popular plants that were used to dye and obtain various colors. I loved that this was included because history is another one of my soft spots, so this part of the book certainly peaked my interest. There is also instructions and pictures on ecoprinting, dyeing Easter eggs, and felting.
I'm full of inspiration after reading this book and I will start collecting plants and such so that I can start natural dyeing yarn. It's certainly a beautiful book that's full of information for the hobbyist as well as professional dyers who want to get into natural dyeing, so it's a wonderful book to have in one's collection. I love that it also encourages its readers to get in touch with other natural dyers as well as making people look at gardens in a new way.
I've been dyeing yarn for a few years now and love dyeing with household items such as Kool-aid, tea, and coffee. This book caught my eye because I've been interested in dyeing yarn with flowers, so of course I was excited to read it and learn something new. There are several recipes for dying with a variety of plants along with preparation and dyeing instructions. In addition to this, the history behind each plant is provided as well as beautiful pictures of the different plants and various results that one can get dyeing fibers. I also enjoyed learning more ways to prepare fibers for dyeing as well as more ways to dye, such as cold dyeing.
The opening of the book is all about the history of dyeing and the popular plants that were used to dye and obtain various colors. I loved that this was included because history is another one of my soft spots, so this part of the book certainly peaked my interest. There is also instructions and pictures on ecoprinting, dyeing Easter eggs, and felting.
I'm full of inspiration after reading this book and I will start collecting plants and such so that I can start natural dyeing yarn. It's certainly a beautiful book that's full of information for the hobbyist as well as professional dyers who want to get into natural dyeing, so it's a wonderful book to have in one's collection. I love that it also encourages its readers to get in touch with other natural dyers as well as making people look at gardens in a new way.
March 14, 2018
Dyeing is a lot like wine making, it turns out. There are two schools of instructions out there.
The first type gives you extremely detailed information and a huge list of products you must purchase and steps you must take. In wine making, this means you need this type of bottle and this type of toppers, this type of yeast (not wild yeast that's already on the grapes or berries! are you mad?), these purchased additions to toss into it, and so on. In fabric dyeing, this means you purchase this type of mordant and you buy your natural plant materials or dried insects and follow these steps with all this equipment. In wine or dyeing, with this type of instructions you are pretty much guaranteed consistent, quality results. And you'd better be prepared to spend a lot of time, money and effort in every batch.
The second school involves using the type of instructions great grandmothers used. In wine making, this means you leave the wild yeasts and you use a recycled jug and maybe a balloon with a pinprick in it. You fiddle and taste, you use raisins and elderberries to adjust the colors and flavors and properties, and you don't add campden tablets to stop it all up because then you're dosing yourself with sulfites. Every time is different and a surprise. It costs next to nothing is a bit of a gamble and adventure.
I was hoping for a plant dyeing book like the second type. I'm cheap and lazy and adventurous. I like experiments and gambles. I like to use what might get tossed out otherwise. I once tie-dyed a onesie blue-gray and hot pink with the soaking water from black beans (first dyed in the black bean soaking water, then to that same water after adding vinegar and turning it shocking pink with an unexpected pH reaction) just because the bean soaking water was such a gorgeous dark purple that it seemed wrong to pour it down the sink (the hot pink color was a complete surprise that happened after I added vinegar to see if it would help set the color later). My oldest daughter and I dyed a whole pot of found skulls and bones from nature walks into a gorgeous deep black-purple from spent elderberries left over from making elderberry juice (this book says not to bother using elderberries for dye because you need too many elderberries and apparently the fabrics will fade).
Most of the dyes used in this book are natural from plants, but they are purchased (though some garden plants and things like purple cabbage are also included). You also need to purchase mordant and go through quite a lot of steps with your fabrics and your dyes to do this right. Reading this book reminded me exactly of why it took me decades to make my first batch of homemade wine and why I absolutely never follow "good" wine making instructions but instead rely on old time recipes or foraging forums.
It turns out that I am both too cheap and too lazy for this type of plant dyeing. I'm absolutely sure that experienced dyers will love this book. It's full of photos and information, including very thorough history of dyes. It's just not the sort of book to pick up if you're *not* an experienced dyer who wants to spend a lot of time, money and effort doing it the precise way and just wanted to play with plant dyes with your children.
The first type gives you extremely detailed information and a huge list of products you must purchase and steps you must take. In wine making, this means you need this type of bottle and this type of toppers, this type of yeast (not wild yeast that's already on the grapes or berries! are you mad?), these purchased additions to toss into it, and so on. In fabric dyeing, this means you purchase this type of mordant and you buy your natural plant materials or dried insects and follow these steps with all this equipment. In wine or dyeing, with this type of instructions you are pretty much guaranteed consistent, quality results. And you'd better be prepared to spend a lot of time, money and effort in every batch.
The second school involves using the type of instructions great grandmothers used. In wine making, this means you leave the wild yeasts and you use a recycled jug and maybe a balloon with a pinprick in it. You fiddle and taste, you use raisins and elderberries to adjust the colors and flavors and properties, and you don't add campden tablets to stop it all up because then you're dosing yourself with sulfites. Every time is different and a surprise. It costs next to nothing is a bit of a gamble and adventure.
I was hoping for a plant dyeing book like the second type. I'm cheap and lazy and adventurous. I like experiments and gambles. I like to use what might get tossed out otherwise. I once tie-dyed a onesie blue-gray and hot pink with the soaking water from black beans (first dyed in the black bean soaking water, then to that same water after adding vinegar and turning it shocking pink with an unexpected pH reaction) just because the bean soaking water was such a gorgeous dark purple that it seemed wrong to pour it down the sink (the hot pink color was a complete surprise that happened after I added vinegar to see if it would help set the color later). My oldest daughter and I dyed a whole pot of found skulls and bones from nature walks into a gorgeous deep black-purple from spent elderberries left over from making elderberry juice (this book says not to bother using elderberries for dye because you need too many elderberries and apparently the fabrics will fade).
Most of the dyes used in this book are natural from plants, but they are purchased (though some garden plants and things like purple cabbage are also included). You also need to purchase mordant and go through quite a lot of steps with your fabrics and your dyes to do this right. Reading this book reminded me exactly of why it took me decades to make my first batch of homemade wine and why I absolutely never follow "good" wine making instructions but instead rely on old time recipes or foraging forums.
It turns out that I am both too cheap and too lazy for this type of plant dyeing. I'm absolutely sure that experienced dyers will love this book. It's full of photos and information, including very thorough history of dyes. It's just not the sort of book to pick up if you're *not* an experienced dyer who wants to spend a lot of time, money and effort doing it the precise way and just wanted to play with plant dyes with your children.
April 4, 2018
Natural Dyeing with Plants covers a topic that I have performed a lot of research on but have yet not gathered my confidence to try. Franziska Ebner & Romana Hasenöhrl cover every aspect, from the history of yarn and fabric dying, which was very interesting, to modern methods and equipment recommended. The book is very well illustrated with full color photographs not only displaying hands-on step by step work but also samples of coloration variants. This is a topic that was not well addressed in other books on the subject of natural dyeing. I do agree with other reviewers that some of the plant materials are difficult to acquire in America, but since I also make my own soap with natural colorants, I am familiar with having to search for what I want. Not everything can be found in your own back yard, part of the fun is the planning and the hunt!
Full Disclosure: I was allowed to read a copy of this book for free as a member of NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not influenced to give a positive review.
Full Disclosure: I was allowed to read a copy of this book for free as a member of NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not influenced to give a positive review.
February 10, 2018
Very efficiently presented with practical layout, colorful photographs, and an almost complete disregard for non-European based natural dyeing methods and ingredients.This should have been titled Natural Dyeing With Plants for Central Europe.
Very thorough, almost encyclopedic, with detailed instructions on dyeing materials, suggestions for Central European gardening, and a textbook-like dryness (perhaps due to being translated into formal English).
Mixed feelings on this book. Recommended for those who enjoy dyeing and have some experience.
Very thorough, almost encyclopedic, with detailed instructions on dyeing materials, suggestions for Central European gardening, and a textbook-like dryness (perhaps due to being translated into formal English).
Mixed feelings on this book. Recommended for those who enjoy dyeing and have some experience.
June 20, 2018
This was my first book on natural dyeing and I must say I had no idea what I was doing at first. I enjoyed reading about the history of Natural Dyeing and how it all began. I always had an interest but didn't know how or where to start. The book has very thorough instructions and examples and make the experience easy to understand. I am really happy I came across this book and now have a new passion in felting!
July 6, 2018
With many people returning to nature and natural ways of doing things, this book provides a handy reference for using organic substances to obtain dyes and reduce the use of chemicals. It also includes some things that can be done with these natural dyes. Good for the DIY and back to nature types.
November 21, 2017
Das Buch beginnt mit Informationen über die Färberei in der Vergangenheit, kurzer Vorstellung traditioneller Färberpflanzen und eine Erläuterung der Grundausstattung in der heutigen Hobby-Färberküche. Danach werden die Arbeiten vor dem Färben in Text und Fotoreihen aufgezeigt: waschen, Beizen, inklusive Vor- und Nachbeizen und danach die verschiedenen Färbemethoden: Kalt-, Direktziehende - , Einbad-, Kontaktfärbung sowie Färben auf Vorbeize und Stufenfärbung. Dabei wird alles so gut erklärt, dass ein Nacharbeiten ganz leicht machbar ist. Man erhält ein Färbe-Grundrezept und verschiedene Faustregeln.
Danach werden Pflanzen aus dem Färbergarten vorgestellt, wobei viele Fotos die Informationen unterstreichen, was mir besonders gut bei der Darstellung der Färbeergebnisse auf Wolle und Seide gefällt. Jedesmal ist angegeben, um die wievielte Färbung es sich handelt, ob mit Beize, Alaun, Weinstein- oder Pottaschezugabe. Ganz wichtig hierbei finde ich den Zusatz, dass jedes Färbeergebnis anders ausfällt und von vielen Faktoren abhängt, u.a. die Bodenbeschaffenheit der Färberpflanze. Sehr gut gefällt mir die Empfehlung, selber Aufzeichnungen und kleine Rückstellproben seiner Experimente anzufertigen, um erzielte Farben möglicherweise nacharbeiten zu können.
Zu jeder Pflanze, auch zu Ende des Buches, bei den selber gesammelten oder bestellbaren aus fernen Ländern und aus denen, die wir in unseren Küchen finden ( wie z.B. Kaffee oder Tee) werden nicht nur Färbeergebnisse und das jeweils best erprobte Färberrezept vorgestellt, sondern aus den Erfahrungen der Autorinnen vermittelt, ob sich der eigenen Anbau oder das Sammeln für die Färbung überhaupt lohnen und für welche ergiebige oder einfach zu sammelnde Möglichkeit sich die Autorinnen selber entscheiden, manchmal auch für recht kostspielige bestellte Farben, die sich zum Färben oder besondrs zum Überfärben eigenen.
Gerade dieser weitergegebene Erfahrungsschatz sowie die vielen Farbdarstellungen der vielen Färbungen machen dieses Buch zu einer ganz besonderen, praktischen Hilfe und einem hervorragenden Nachschlagwerk – nicht nur zum Färben selber, sondern auch um einen eigenen kleinen Färbergarten anzulegen, selber zu sammeln oder zu entscheiden, welche Farben man vielleicht doch bestellen möchte; hierfür finden sich im Anhang einige Adresse, zusammen mit denen von bloggenden Färberinnen.
Danach werden Pflanzen aus dem Färbergarten vorgestellt, wobei viele Fotos die Informationen unterstreichen, was mir besonders gut bei der Darstellung der Färbeergebnisse auf Wolle und Seide gefällt. Jedesmal ist angegeben, um die wievielte Färbung es sich handelt, ob mit Beize, Alaun, Weinstein- oder Pottaschezugabe. Ganz wichtig hierbei finde ich den Zusatz, dass jedes Färbeergebnis anders ausfällt und von vielen Faktoren abhängt, u.a. die Bodenbeschaffenheit der Färberpflanze. Sehr gut gefällt mir die Empfehlung, selber Aufzeichnungen und kleine Rückstellproben seiner Experimente anzufertigen, um erzielte Farben möglicherweise nacharbeiten zu können.
Zu jeder Pflanze, auch zu Ende des Buches, bei den selber gesammelten oder bestellbaren aus fernen Ländern und aus denen, die wir in unseren Küchen finden ( wie z.B. Kaffee oder Tee) werden nicht nur Färbeergebnisse und das jeweils best erprobte Färberrezept vorgestellt, sondern aus den Erfahrungen der Autorinnen vermittelt, ob sich der eigenen Anbau oder das Sammeln für die Färbung überhaupt lohnen und für welche ergiebige oder einfach zu sammelnde Möglichkeit sich die Autorinnen selber entscheiden, manchmal auch für recht kostspielige bestellte Farben, die sich zum Färben oder besondrs zum Überfärben eigenen.
Gerade dieser weitergegebene Erfahrungsschatz sowie die vielen Farbdarstellungen der vielen Färbungen machen dieses Buch zu einer ganz besonderen, praktischen Hilfe und einem hervorragenden Nachschlagwerk – nicht nur zum Färben selber, sondern auch um einen eigenen kleinen Färbergarten anzulegen, selber zu sammeln oder zu entscheiden, welche Farben man vielleicht doch bestellen möchte; hierfür finden sich im Anhang einige Adresse, zusammen mit denen von bloggenden Färberinnen.
March 12, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Netgalley.
I've dabbled with dyeing fibers but I'm no expert. This book is one of the best I've seen because the information is so thorough and accessible. I can imagine this book being a valuable resources for dyers at any knowledge level. It first has a brief history of dyeing, which while admittedly Eurocentric - no info here on the development of dyeing outside Europe at all - is interesting. Then the authors teach you about the equipment you'll need to set up for dyeing, fabric and fiber types, how to wash and prepare items for dyeing, what mordants are and how to use them, info about dyes themselves and how they work, basic recipe formulas you should be able to adapt to other dyes, a little bit on growing your own plants for natural dyes, a huge index of plants and how they look when used as dyes, and a few craft patterns for inspiration. They've really included a lot of helpful information in this book.
The biggest section of the book contains detailed info on dyes from various plants. Each plant is given a two-page spread with information and lots of helpful pictures showing (usually) wool and silk yarn dyed with plant dye. For example, the page for meadowsweet tells you a little about where it grows and its properties. There's detailed recipe information, too. To me, the pictures are really helpful because you can get an idea of what range of colors is possible for each dye. It depends on the dye, but usually each one is shown with wool and silk, each with 3-4 examples of hot and cold dyeing techniques and different mordants. I like that they give the scientific names for the plants, too, since common names can vary so much from place to place. For many of the plants, the authors also mention some non-dye uses of the plants such as tea/tisane and cleaning products. Also, there are a few non-plant-based dyes in the book such as cochineal. It's useful info even though it doesn't match the title of the book.
This book contains a wealth of information about using natural dyes, mostly plants. It would be a great addition to any dyer's library.
I've dabbled with dyeing fibers but I'm no expert. This book is one of the best I've seen because the information is so thorough and accessible. I can imagine this book being a valuable resources for dyers at any knowledge level. It first has a brief history of dyeing, which while admittedly Eurocentric - no info here on the development of dyeing outside Europe at all - is interesting. Then the authors teach you about the equipment you'll need to set up for dyeing, fabric and fiber types, how to wash and prepare items for dyeing, what mordants are and how to use them, info about dyes themselves and how they work, basic recipe formulas you should be able to adapt to other dyes, a little bit on growing your own plants for natural dyes, a huge index of plants and how they look when used as dyes, and a few craft patterns for inspiration. They've really included a lot of helpful information in this book.
The biggest section of the book contains detailed info on dyes from various plants. Each plant is given a two-page spread with information and lots of helpful pictures showing (usually) wool and silk yarn dyed with plant dye. For example, the page for meadowsweet tells you a little about where it grows and its properties. There's detailed recipe information, too. To me, the pictures are really helpful because you can get an idea of what range of colors is possible for each dye. It depends on the dye, but usually each one is shown with wool and silk, each with 3-4 examples of hot and cold dyeing techniques and different mordants. I like that they give the scientific names for the plants, too, since common names can vary so much from place to place. For many of the plants, the authors also mention some non-dye uses of the plants such as tea/tisane and cleaning products. Also, there are a few non-plant-based dyes in the book such as cochineal. It's useful info even though it doesn't match the title of the book.
This book contains a wealth of information about using natural dyes, mostly plants. It would be a great addition to any dyer's library.
April 2, 2018
Natural Dyeing with Plants is an interesting craft book on how to dye mainly wool and silk with plants and also kitchen ingredients.
The book has 10 main chapters starting with a history of dyeing from Roman times using natural ingredients to modern practices using Synthetic dyes.
The Dyeing Studio chapter covers the space needed to work, equipment required and materials needed alongside the dyeing methods such as cold, direct and single bath. All methods come with excellent colour photography to show the steps taken. Another chapter is contains a solar dyeing method which appears to be the simplest method on the book - basically put ingredients and wool in a jar and leave it in the sun for the magic to work. This is one I will be trying out first as it looks to be the simplest method for a beginner.
Six chapters look at the different places dyes can be found, be it garden olants, trees, meadows and kitchen ingredients such as carrots, coffee and onion skins. Again each plant used is given full instructions on how the colour is extracted using the best method. There is also a chapter on exotic dyes that come from insects and special plants such as henna and turmeric.
For each of the plants used, samples of the colours extracted are shown dependent on the material. Also included is what the plant looks like, be it in its natural state or dried
I loved the fact that the colours that take to the material don't always reflect the plant colour. For example the Larkspur is has a blue flower, but the resulting shade is yellow, green and grey depending on the material (wool or silk) and method and red cabbage from the kitchen turns the materials a blue hue.
Whilst I enjoyed this book, I wasn't sure where I would get the starting wools and silks and felt the inclusion of only a handful of projects was disappointing even though those projects were good. I like the fact you can dye eggs and it even shows you how to include leaf patterns on the shells.
I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.
The book has 10 main chapters starting with a history of dyeing from Roman times using natural ingredients to modern practices using Synthetic dyes.
The Dyeing Studio chapter covers the space needed to work, equipment required and materials needed alongside the dyeing methods such as cold, direct and single bath. All methods come with excellent colour photography to show the steps taken. Another chapter is contains a solar dyeing method which appears to be the simplest method on the book - basically put ingredients and wool in a jar and leave it in the sun for the magic to work. This is one I will be trying out first as it looks to be the simplest method for a beginner.
Six chapters look at the different places dyes can be found, be it garden olants, trees, meadows and kitchen ingredients such as carrots, coffee and onion skins. Again each plant used is given full instructions on how the colour is extracted using the best method. There is also a chapter on exotic dyes that come from insects and special plants such as henna and turmeric.
For each of the plants used, samples of the colours extracted are shown dependent on the material. Also included is what the plant looks like, be it in its natural state or dried
I loved the fact that the colours that take to the material don't always reflect the plant colour. For example the Larkspur is has a blue flower, but the resulting shade is yellow, green and grey depending on the material (wool or silk) and method and red cabbage from the kitchen turns the materials a blue hue.
Whilst I enjoyed this book, I wasn't sure where I would get the starting wools and silks and felt the inclusion of only a handful of projects was disappointing even though those projects were good. I like the fact you can dye eggs and it even shows you how to include leaf patterns on the shells.
I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.
February 10, 2018
I received a digital copy through Netgalley for review.
I've loved natural dyeing since I took a course on it in college.
Something about being able to craft lovely colors from just the plants in your yard and a few items you'll find sitting on most days in your pantry and refrigerator is really magical.
I was excited to be able to get a copy of Natural Dyeing with Plants: Glorious Colors from Roots, Leaves & Flowers by Franziska Ebner- it completely demystifies the natural dyeing process.
Breaking down everything from treating your fibers before hand, to the different processing of mordants, to what each option of dyestuff will produce in which bath (no mordant, alum, cold, cold with iron) on both wool and silks (sometime other fibers as well). How much dye stuff is needed and how to proceed. How to adjust the ph balance of you dye bath if needed.
Everything is easily written down for you, photographs provided, color varieties shown, what the plants looks like, the different names it goes under. How to dry your plant stuff if you are harvesting your own.
So many colors just outside your doors and at your finger tips.
I am really impressed by this, it cleared up so many questions I've had when other natural dying books had failed me. I can't wait to get started on some of these color recipes in the coming months.
I've loved natural dyeing since I took a course on it in college.
Something about being able to craft lovely colors from just the plants in your yard and a few items you'll find sitting on most days in your pantry and refrigerator is really magical.
I was excited to be able to get a copy of Natural Dyeing with Plants: Glorious Colors from Roots, Leaves & Flowers by Franziska Ebner- it completely demystifies the natural dyeing process.
Breaking down everything from treating your fibers before hand, to the different processing of mordants, to what each option of dyestuff will produce in which bath (no mordant, alum, cold, cold with iron) on both wool and silks (sometime other fibers as well). How much dye stuff is needed and how to proceed. How to adjust the ph balance of you dye bath if needed.
Everything is easily written down for you, photographs provided, color varieties shown, what the plants looks like, the different names it goes under. How to dry your plant stuff if you are harvesting your own.
So many colors just outside your doors and at your finger tips.
I am really impressed by this, it cleared up so many questions I've had when other natural dying books had failed me. I can't wait to get started on some of these color recipes in the coming months.
May 19, 2018
From Netgalley for Review:
I have always been intrigued by the history of dyes, specifically plant and insect based dyes, so when I saw a book on how to dye things myself, well I absolutely had to give it a read. This book is thorough, giving an in-depth description on how to and what to use, along with each dye having several examples of how the dye looks on yarn with different treatments. I have a few silk scarves that are in need of a new color and plan on hunting down some plants and giving this a try! I know several people in the SCA that would love this book and I intend on recommending it to them.
I have always been intrigued by the history of dyes, specifically plant and insect based dyes, so when I saw a book on how to dye things myself, well I absolutely had to give it a read. This book is thorough, giving an in-depth description on how to and what to use, along with each dye having several examples of how the dye looks on yarn with different treatments. I have a few silk scarves that are in need of a new color and plan on hunting down some plants and giving this a try! I know several people in the SCA that would love this book and I intend on recommending it to them.
May 28, 2018
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it. As an avid crocheter, I have always wanted to dye my own yarn and on clothes as well. This book has everything you will need very comprehensive and easy to use for a beginner like me. With detailed instructions to help you through from the beginning of the project all the way to the end. I am in the process of obtaining the plants they used in the book, so by the end of summer, I can start my own projects! I look forward to making the kaleidoscope of colors.
December 10, 2018
3 stars for being beautiful. Gorgeous presentation, photographs, colours. Everything about the look of this book is appealing. I question a few of the methods though, they are a little different from what I use and what I know works well. The author makes no distinction between mordanting for protein and cellulose fibres for example which is a significant part of natural dyeing. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, almost all of the dye plants used in this book are not available to me and for that reason I'd recommend this book for European dyers but for us Kiwis, not so much.
June 4, 2018
Great book! I have always dyed with chemicals or other ways. This was a great instructional book and what to use.
September 4, 2018
Beautiful book, excellent information and lovely layout and photographs.
December 18, 2020
Amazing book! I located a copy at my library and had a look at it ages ago. I intend to try some of these dyes in my craft work.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
January 8, 2019
This book gives an interesting overview of the history of dyeing before diving into dyeing with specific plants. The instructions are clear enough to set a novice dyer down a colourful path, and while I haven't tried any myself, it seems fairly simple. Given the variable nature of dyeing with plants there's always a certain amount of guesswork at first anyway.
Where this book falls down is that the author inexplicably includes "medicinal" uses for these plants, including homeopathy. At one point she recommends the use of a plant to cure the Bubonic Plague. It was at that point she lost all credibility to my eyes. This is not a book marketed towards those seeking herbal cures, and I think it's disgusting when this sort of damaging nonsense leeches into other areas. She also details a number of teas you can drink to "cure" things, which is just not ok. I assume this is because the author is German, and Germany is for some reason still stuck somewhere in the Middle Ages with regards to the popular view of medicine. All they'll cure is a vague sense of unease, or someone having more money than sense.
If you don't mind ignoring this ridiculousness, you might find this book very useful for dyeing.
Where this book falls down is that the author inexplicably includes "medicinal" uses for these plants, including homeopathy. At one point she recommends the use of a plant to cure the Bubonic Plague. It was at that point she lost all credibility to my eyes. This is not a book marketed towards those seeking herbal cures, and I think it's disgusting when this sort of damaging nonsense leeches into other areas. She also details a number of teas you can drink to "cure" things, which is just not ok. I assume this is because the author is German, and Germany is for some reason still stuck somewhere in the Middle Ages with regards to the popular view of medicine. All they'll cure is a vague sense of unease, or someone having more money than sense.
If you don't mind ignoring this ridiculousness, you might find this book very useful for dyeing.
February 20, 2018
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This book title was very intriguing to me because I am a knitter and have long considered dying my own yarn. I have sensitive skin, so natural, plant based dyes make sense for me. The authors of this book include dye recipes, and beautiful color photos of the plants used and the dye outcomes based on different variables. The book includes an interesting history of dyes and gives practical advice for dyeing beginners. In addition to plants and herbs, there is also a section of items that can be found in the supermarket or your kitchen. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in hand dyeing items with natural plant based dyes. This book is suitable for a beginner.
August 19, 2018
This is an absolutely fantastic book, very informative, with really useful details which will certainly achieve success in dyeing with plant.. I do a bit of dyeing, but mainly on cotton, which as is explained I this book, is extremely hard to achieve good, colourfastness results with plants. (Being in Australia I use gum leaves which tend to be a little better in that matter)
Having said that, this is the perfect book for wool and silk, and there is lot of room for experimentation with mordants, method and plants. The results can be beautiful .and sometimes unexpected , which makes it all a great adventure from growing, picking, timing to final product.
This book would very much suit a beginner or anyone that just want more information to add to their repertoire .
Having said that, this is the perfect book for wool and silk, and there is lot of room for experimentation with mordants, method and plants. The results can be beautiful .and sometimes unexpected , which makes it all a great adventure from growing, picking, timing to final product.
This book would very much suit a beginner or anyone that just want more information to add to their repertoire .
March 3, 2018
Great book on fiber dying. There are so many great recipes and examples. The authors went above and beyond to share their knowledge. I used the principles in this book to dye some wool with black beans. I am super happy with the results!
Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.
Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.
May 1, 2018
Have you ever wanted to dye fabric or wool with plants? This book provides information on plant dyeing, different plants and the different colours you can achieve with different materials and techniques.
The how to guides with pictures are easy to follow. Each plant is shown in pictures, as well as differet dyeing results for different techniques or different yarn/fabric materials.
The how to guides with pictures are easy to follow. Each plant is shown in pictures, as well as differet dyeing results for different techniques or different yarn/fabric materials.
June 7, 2018
#SchifferPublishing #NetGalley #Sustainable #DYI
For any level of expertise, the book helps the reader to create and use natural dye for fabrics. The tutorial are well explained and the results are the colors of the rainbow. Excellent book!
For any level of expertise, the book helps the reader to create and use natural dye for fabrics. The tutorial are well explained and the results are the colors of the rainbow. Excellent book!
August 29, 2018
A well thought out book which was really interesting to read and supported with fantastic photos.
I received a digital copy through Netgalley for review.
I received a digital copy through Netgalley for review.
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