Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Watson-Guptill (2016), Edition: NO-VALUE, 272 pages
Description
A book of seasonal projects using the brilliant spectrum of colors derived from plants to naturally dye your clothing and home textiles.
User reviews
LibraryThing member jjlangel
This is a frustrating book. On the one hand, it's beautiful. Hard bound, nice paper, lovely photographs. The author is clearly passionate about the natural dyes, and it seems like she has extensive experience with them. There are some very attractive projects that show off some of the nifty
On the other hand, there are a lot of problems, as well. Here are a few:
--There's a relentless focus on Northern California plants. The author mentions experimenting with plants from other areas, but doesn't share any details.
--There's a constant refrain "you'll want to experiment for yourself" but no suggestions to make my experimenting more efficient. There needs to be a section that covers things like how to tell whether a plant might provide color (a field test?) and whether there are any quick and dirty techniques for figuring out what colors a plant might produce (a studio test?). But before that, why do I need to do all this experimenting? After telling me over and over that people have been using natural dyes for millennia, perhaps the author could put together a list or two of plants that are already known to work and not.
--Do all plant colors work the same on protein fibers as on plant fibers? There are different mordanting techniques, but does the color look the same?
--The instructions are poorly written. There was one complicated process with a zillion steps, none of which included putting the fiber in the pot. After studying it for several minutes, I'm 75% sure that the fiber goes in at the end, but I shouldn't have any questions at all. And, the author uses the same template for all the projects (which may be the editor's fault) -- so, the first step is always to soak the fiber (about an hour), even if the second step is to steep the dyestuff over night.
--Medicinal dyeing? Really? Give me credible scientific support, or give me a break.
In summary, this is an inspirational book. Unfortunately, it has inspired me to buy a better book on natural dyeing.
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properties of natural dyes. I also like the fact that most of the recipes start from raw materials; I find it somewhat disconcerting when natural dye books emphasize how great natural dyes are and how awful synthetics are, then send you to the same online supplier to buy your natural dyes in powders.On the other hand, there are a lot of problems, as well. Here are a few:
--There's a relentless focus on Northern California plants. The author mentions experimenting with plants from other areas, but doesn't share any details.
--There's a constant refrain "you'll want to experiment for yourself" but no suggestions to make my experimenting more efficient. There needs to be a section that covers things like how to tell whether a plant might provide color (a field test?) and whether there are any quick and dirty techniques for figuring out what colors a plant might produce (a studio test?). But before that, why do I need to do all this experimenting? After telling me over and over that people have been using natural dyes for millennia, perhaps the author could put together a list or two of plants that are already known to work and not.
--Do all plant colors work the same on protein fibers as on plant fibers? There are different mordanting techniques, but does the color look the same?
--The instructions are poorly written. There was one complicated process with a zillion steps, none of which included putting the fiber in the pot. After studying it for several minutes, I'm 75% sure that the fiber goes in at the end, but I shouldn't have any questions at all. And, the author uses the same template for all the projects (which may be the editor's fault) -- so, the first step is always to soak the fiber (about an hour), even if the second step is to steep the dyestuff over night.
--Medicinal dyeing? Really? Give me credible scientific support, or give me a break.
In summary, this is an inspirational book. Unfortunately, it has inspired me to buy a better book on natural dyeing.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
Natural Color is an astonishingly informative and beautifully put together book. As a pysanky (Ukrainian egg) artist, and a person with health issues, I have wanted to experiment more with natural dyes. I've saved my onion skins, gathered hibiscus flowers, and hoarded walnuts. I've tried a few dyes
This book, though, made me lust. And that was with the knowledge that I'd be working on a totally different material (egg shell) rather than textile. I still have many, many questions, but mostly from my end of the art spectrum, because Duerr is quite thorough and detailed in everything from how to set up your space (sigh-- if only I had the luxury of that kind of space, even without dyes! My pysanky pals, and other artists, who see where I create my art now cannot believe that I make it all happen in the fragments of scattered space I usurp in our home) to step by steps for making dye and applying to projects. Her voice is very approachable, her methods clear. Will it work on eggshell? I don't know. Will I be able to try it? Maybe.
As I said, I still need to check out specifics for my own art (i.e. How long does the dye last? Can you do layers? Will it be impacted by the removal of the wax used to make designs? How would it respond to varnish? etc.) but dang it! I want to try! Bottom line practicality for me is this may not be the book I need in writing pysanky, but it's a marvelous reference, for sure.
tags: 2016-read, art, blogging-for-books, firstreads-goodreads, great-cover, i-liked-the-pictures, inspirations, nonfiction, read, taught-me-something, wow
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here and there, mostly without guidance, and had some moderately pleasing results.This book, though, made me lust. And that was with the knowledge that I'd be working on a totally different material (egg shell) rather than textile. I still have many, many questions, but mostly from my end of the art spectrum, because Duerr is quite thorough and detailed in everything from how to set up your space (sigh-- if only I had the luxury of that kind of space, even without dyes! My pysanky pals, and other artists, who see where I create my art now cannot believe that I make it all happen in the fragments of scattered space I usurp in our home) to step by steps for making dye and applying to projects. Her voice is very approachable, her methods clear. Will it work on eggshell? I don't know. Will I be able to try it? Maybe.
As I said, I still need to check out specifics for my own art (i.e. How long does the dye last? Can you do layers? Will it be impacted by the removal of the wax used to make designs? How would it respond to varnish? etc.) but dang it! I want to try! Bottom line practicality for me is this may not be the book I need in writing pysanky, but it's a marvelous reference, for sure.
tags: 2016-read, art, blogging-for-books, firstreads-goodreads, great-cover, i-liked-the-pictures, inspirations, nonfiction, read, taught-me-something, wow
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LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
Natural Color is a comprehensive guide to dying using plants (and other natural resources) by Sasha Duerr. This is a beautiful hardcover book that has something for all levels (from beginner to advanced). I have been interested in dying my own wool, cotton and silk for some time. I only wanted to
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use natural materials because of my allergies to dyes. The author takes the time to explain the process and the materials needed. The instructions are easy to understand and the book has beautiful illustrations. The book is set up by seasons (for color purposes). You can learn how to dye using persimmons, rosemary, indigo, sweet gum leaf, hibiscus, plus much more. There is a good chapter on mordants and modifiers. There is a glossary of terms, index, and list of resources. There are some lovely projects in the book. If you wish to learn to dye with natural materials, then I recommend this book for you. I give Natural Color 5 out of 5 stars. Natural Color would make a great gift for the crafter in your family. Show Less
LibraryThing member jennybeast
I like the creativity of the dyes she chooses, and the good advice on creating a workspace and mordanting. I've tried 1 so far (rosemary), and wasn't impressed with the results, but since I'm adapting for paper dyeing as opposed to fiber, I can't say that's definitive. Excited to try avocado pits
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soon. Show Less
LibraryThing member MarthaJeanne
This is the sort of book that convinces me that I don't have the space or resources to try this.
And why isn't there any discussion of how well the colours last?
Still it's kind of fun reading about it, even if the projects are a bit weird. Black rope necklace, anyone?
And why isn't there any discussion of how well the colours last?
Still it's kind of fun reading about it, even if the projects are a bit weird. Black rope necklace, anyone?
Language
Original language
English
Pages
272
Physical description
272 p.; 10.34 inches
ISBN
160774936X / 9781607749363