A Dyers Garden: From Plant To Pot: Growing Dyes for Natural Fibers

by Rita Buchanan

Paperback, ?

Status

Available

Call number

633.86

Publication

Interweave Press, Unknown Binding

Description

Touching on the history and nature of dye plants, this comprehensive guide walks readers through a garden season from design to planting to harvesting for the dyepot, discussing 18 dye plants in detail.

User reviews

LibraryThing member ladyblacksun
In all, a pretty good book. Has some nice photographs of the plants in question and some of the colors available from the plants with different mordants, fibers, and dye baths. Some good advice on what to try and what not to try.
LibraryThing member leighsfiberjournal
I like the way this book is organized. A quick flip through it's second half is a delight to the eyes, as each plant listed features color photos of the colors it yields on a variety of fibers with a variety of mordants.

The first three chapters discuss dye plants from a gardener's view: what to
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choose, how to get and grow, and how plan the garden. Chapter four discusses the process of natural dyeing, and chapter five lists factors that effect the color outcome.

The last chapter of the book is entitled, "A Portfolio of Dye Garden Plants." It includes color photos of both the plants and the color results that can be obtained from them, as well as details on how to grow and how to dye with.

A suppliers list and bibliography for further reading complete the book.
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LibraryThing member Pasquegirl
This book is my favorite on dying yarn with plants. It is beautifully laid out with color samples of all the different plants and the colors they make with various techniques.
LibraryThing member dyeabolical
I received this as a gift from my friend Natalie. I've been meaning to learn more about natural dyeing and this is the time of year to start planning our balcony garden, so this is a timely book to receive for Christmas.

Buchanan breaks everything down in to simple steps--mordant the yarn, gather
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the plants, make the dye liquor, dye the plants. Nothing to it. Each plant discussed has pictures of swatches of that plant used with different mordants. Alum used with marigolds gives one color, chrome gives another, etc. There are at least 6 different options for each plant. The book itself is a good size to throw in a glove box or back pocket. Handy if you're out exploring and find some wildflowers that can be used for dyeing.

Overall I think the book is interesting and a handy reference for what certain dyes look like on different fibers with different mordants, but growing my own dyes probably isn't for me. It takes a LOT of plants to have enough dye for one project.
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Language

Physical description

6.75 inches

ISBN

1883010071 / 9781883010072

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