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.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Rita Buchanan is the author of Taylor's Master Guide to Landscaping.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
101 of 101 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Rita gives CLEAR instructions on WHAT part of the plant to harvest for which color; which mordants and which fibers produce which colors; and what time of the year to harvest the plant. In addition, her color photos of the color outcome are neatly stacked along the right edge, enabling the reader to flip through the book to see the colors. There is also an appendix listing where the reader can get seeds for the plants in the book. Anyone interested in trying GOOD dye plants (almost any plant will give you at least tan) should have this small, well-written and beautifully illustrated book. Rita is one of the best.
68 of 69 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I particularly recommend this book as a visual source for historical re-enactors.
Too often there are descriptions of what dye-plants were used to color garments, but, no examples of what those colors would look like. This book provides clear, vivid color photos on a whole range of dye-plants grown during pre-medieval, medieval, Colonial, and later times. Additionally, it shows the same dye used on different fibers, sometimes with different mordants (fixers). Fiber samples include linen, wool, silk, and cotton.
I recommend this book to people interested in making clothing from "modern" material...it gives them the best opprotunity possible to try to find close color-matches. Alternately, it provides solid information to dye cloth by hand.
Also, the low price can't be beat!
49 of 49 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Beautifully researched, solid data, and great color illustrations and presentation AND amazingly enough, her information is ACCURATE. No theoretical blather based on other references or wishful thinking. She has clearly tested, cross-checked, and validated all of her information first-hand. That in itself is remarkable, greatly appreciated, enormously valuable. Thank you Ms. Buchanan!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
As promised; promptly sent
If you read a few reviews, you know that this is one of the best natural dye books out there. Sadly, none of these books is in sufficient demand to keep it in print, so one must... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Me
5.0 out of 5 stars
A perfect match for me!
This book is a perfect match for my interests! As a fiber artists I love hand dyed yarns and fabrics, and I also enjoy gardening. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ali Julia
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Dyer's Garden
Very fast shipping time for an outstanding very imformative book. Very practical and delighted to learn about easy to obtain local plants.
Published on March 24, 2011 by Sue
4.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome book!
I bought this for my husband who has been fabric dying for our business for quite a few years now. It has so much awesome information that we can't wait for the weather to warm so... Read more
Published on March 15, 2011 by Cabbuhl
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dyer's Garden
Great book with lot of information about different type of plants, lichen, and mushrooms that can be used to dye natural fibers. Excellent instruction and plenty of photos. Read more
Published on July 10, 2010 by P. Bell
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Dyer's Garden
This little book is a "huge" gem of information. First of all the format is perfect, small, note-book size and fits your hands well. Read more
Published on December 26, 2009 by Suzanne M. Steiner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Even if you don't garden, this book is great!
This book is amazing. It covers everthing you need to know about dye plants and how to grow and use them. Read more
Published on March 6, 2009 by D. Vozniak
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for anyone new to dyeing!
This was my first introduction to the world of dyeing with plants. The photography is terrific and gives you a good idea of what you'll get from each plant. Read more
Published on July 3, 2007 by Toni Rakestraw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, well-organized guide to dye plants
This book focuses mainly on the home growing and use of dye plants. There is even a section devoted to the layout of the home dye garden. Read more
Published on April 9, 2007 by spinalcat
4.0 out of 5 stars
gave as a gift
the recipient was very happy, & is busy putting in beds of plants to do home dyeing of medieval faire clothing.
Published on March 13, 2006 by anonymous
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