It’s my opinion after reading the book that most of the recipes are for the serious fabric dyer. The techniques are at face value simple but the amount of natural material you’ll need for most dye recipes is tremendous. However, the book makes for good reference material if you're interested in using natural dye extracts to dye fabrics rather than the actual natural materials.
- Comprehensive historical background on how natural dyes evolved
- Good explanation how to use the color wheel
- 52 dye recipes
- Four different mordant recipes
- Only two colored illustrations
- Many recipes are beyond the skill set of the casual home dyer
- Part one: Dyestuffs used in America during the 18th and 19th centuries
- Part two: Home dyeing with natural dyes
- Appendix: Containing common names of chemicals used in the recipes and historical dye manuals
It is very easy to purchase synthetic fabric dye in arts / crafts stores and online. So what’s the big allure with using natural dyes? They are ideally suited for the crafter looking for the unique. Each dye lot will be slightly different depending on the natural material used. Even if you’re using the same type of plant the color will vary based upon many different factors that affected the plant during its growing cycle.
The book starts with an evolution of how each major color (red, blue, yellow, brown, purple and neutrals) were achieved throughout history. An explanation of each natural dye product is given and where it was commonly found.
There are complete instructions for planning, using mordant (color fixative) and the equipment needed for a home dyeing project. The dye recipes are organized alphabetically by the natural material used. There is also an easy to follow chart for top-dyeing, which is how different colors are created. Fabric is dunked in one color dyebath then placed in another color dyebath. For example, to get a red-purple color you’d use indigo first and then cochineal.
You may think it would be hard to come by the natural materials. In many cases, this is true. However, many of the recipes call for items that are easy to find such as ground coffee, cochineal, dry chamomile and marigold flowers and sassafras root bark. I’ve seen all manner of dried flowers and plants sold by the pound in different health food stores I’ve visited. They are also available online.
Some simple recipes you may be interested in trying: 12 ounces of sassafras root bark will produce a rose-brown color for one pound of wool or silk fabric. And you only need one ounce of powered cochineal to produce a brilliant red color. Add some vinegar to that recipe and you’ll finish up with a purple color.
