Customer Reviews

Color by Accident: Low-Water Immersion Dyeing

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This little monograph is in a ring binder with well reproduced color illustrations of attractive color styles and color combinations. These dyeings have been achieved with cold dyeing Procion MX dyes (BASF - originally invented by ICI) now supplied by three recommended small volume suppliers. The dyeing procedures are simple and easy to use at home, achieving lovely effects on approx 30in x 30in mercerized cotton woven fabric prepared for Printing (Dyeing). It is amazing what lovely fast dyed effects can be achieved at home by a cold dyeing method. Ann Johnston has given the craft trade a gem, particularly intersting for the quilter.

As a quilter, who dyes her own fabric, I was disappointed in this book. First, I think her recipe for stock dyes uses a LOT of dye. Procion dyes are not inexpensive and she recommends 2 Tablespoons of dye/cup of water. In most receipes I have used, the yellows use 1 T of dye in 1 cup of water, blues use 2 teaspoons, and reds 1 teaspoon. The author makes no differentiation between colors of dye in her measurements even though the dye companies and all of the other books I have used, do. I think 2 T/cup is overkill and wasteful.

Second, I don't understand her process for adding Soda Ash. I don't think it works well and felt that a lot of the color washed out of the fabrics as a result. Most of the books I've worked with recommend pre-soaking the fabric and this seems to work much better. (They use a lot less dye in their stocks and the colors are brighter.)

Finally, I tried some of her recipes in the book and was disappointed with the results. The colors on the top of the value parfait were too weak and none of the fabrics in that batch had the texture of fabrics dyed by the processes recommended in Dyeing for Quilters, Fabric Dyeing for Beginners, and Robbi Eklow's new book. I ended up over-dyeing them to salvage the fabric. They are the first pieces I've dyed in 6 months that I didn't like.

However, for individuals who want a simple approach to fabric dyeing this book may work well. It simplifies the dye formulas (by using large quantities of dye and omitting salt) and reduces the steps involved in dyeing value runs and color runs. If you don't mind spending the money on dyes, her approach is easy to follow and can yield decent results. I would recommend more agitation and squeezing in the value parfaits to get adequate dye and soda ash into the center of the fabric.

For folks, who don't mind a few more steps, I think the books mentioned above cover the subject of fabric dyeing much more extensively.

The author introduces her technique of dyeing with little water. She provides everything a complete beginner needs: from materials, to tools, to step-by-step instructions. It's a great book if you dye small pieces or if you like the patterned effect her technique creates on larger pieces. If you want a uniform color on your clothes, however, her technique may not work. So, it's a wonderful book for quilters who want to create unique pieces but need not reproduce them exactly at a later point. In fact, the book cover itself shows beautifully the results of her technique.

If you have ever wanted a definitive resource on alternative dyeing technique using Procion dyes, this is it! Ann Johnston is the authority on dyeing with these fiber-reactive dyes, and here she gives the basis for the type of dyeing that is so popular today: low-water immersion dyeing. She teaches the method using many different recipes which are revolutionary; at least to me they were! Going through the recipes, the reader will learn how to apply these same techniques using other color combinations. Most unique was the layered-dyeing technique called "parfait", which yields three different-colored fabrics from the SAME dyepot. Incredible!

All in all, this was just the book I'd hoped it would be, and then some. I've been using it now for about four years, and not once have I been disappointed with the results of my fabrics. For those interested in regular vat dyeing and direct application techniques, she also give basic instructions and recipes for these, too.

This book will hook you into dyeing for good!

This is an excellent book for someone just starting out dyeing fabrics. The techniques are simple and easy to do. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to dye their own fabrics and need a good how-to-book.

I have read and used many books for hand dyeing fabrics. Color By Accident by Ann Johnston is of extremely high quality. It is written much like a cookbook, with clear measures, clear directions and ample support for further creativity. This is not a tie-dyeing manual. It will help the ardent fabric dyer create wonderful materials usable for any type of sewing project. And it is an excellent introduction for those who have never tried this process and don't know where to begin. It is fully resourced, providing information on obtaining everything you will need to proceed.

I really wanted to like this book. The design is good - a spiral notebook style, hard cover, compact size, but ultimately, the content is lacking. I have been dyeing my own fabric for a while now and find that this book added nothing to my skills. Her instructions are, at times, vague and at a twenty four dollar price tag, could have been expanded. I think the price tag reflects quality of product rather than content. Frankly, I have received better, free, low-water immersion instructions on-line at various dye selling websites.

This book is the best fabric dying resource out there. The techniques are freeing and the directions are well written. Also the fact that it lays flat is an added bonus I love this book

This book offers a great dyeing technique in low-water immersion dyeing. Great for both the experienced dyer as well as the beginner. Clear directions and color recipes along with a great spiral binding which allows the book to lie flat makes this a must-have for your textile art library.

This hard-bound small book with inside spiral binding lays flat on the counter for quick reference. I read it cover to cover and used several techniques to create my own hand dyed fabric using Dharma powdered dyes, Soda Ash, Retain, Synthropol, breathing mask, bottles, (and extender for painting which isn't in this book) all purchased on line through Dharma Trading. I loved the effects of dying in layers with staged steps in a single container for gradated values. There are so many ideas that I need to buy more fabric. Dying is so much easier than I thought it would be. It was also helpful to take Sharon Schamber's dying class and fabric painting class at Quilt Camp in the Pines, Flagstaff, AZ. In the comforts of home I was able to mix dyes and wash fabrics one day, then dye the next which made it so much easier. I stored the liquid dye concentrate bottles in a bag in the refrigerator and did more dying using another technique two days later. Fun book, great results. Vicki