Colors from Nature: Growing, Collecting and Using Natural Dyes

by Bobbi A. McRae

Explains how to prepare and use natural dyes, and suggests projects involving cross-stitch, crocheting, needlepoint, quilting, basketry, handmade paper, weaving, and batik

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

Reviews

[Beverly]

Took this out of the library to give me some ideas as I do some experimenting with natural dyeing.

[Julie]

Good ref chart for what plants give which colors, and another good one for mordants. The charts assume big batches of dye, though, meaning you'll have to reduce the numbers yourself if you're only interested in trying a dye out on a couple skeins of yarn or a yard or so of fabric.

There are good, basic instructions in here for making and using natural dyes. There are not, however, very many good color photos. I understand that dyeing is more art than science (but it's still a lot science!) and there is quite a range of colors available from any given plant, but I still would have liked a bit more visual guidance on what I might expect from my hours of work.

Also, the projects included are pretty awful.

Next time I'm ready to experiment with natural dyes, I'll take this out of the library again. I'm not certain it's one I would buy, though.