Natural Dyes [Hardcover]

Gwen Fereday (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2003

This handbook spans the skill levels of beginners, students and professionals. It explains how over 500 rich colours can be achieved from the five principal natural dyestuffs of madder, cochineal, weld, cutch and indigo. In addition, other ingredients, such as walnut husks, are included where they are known to expedite results. The recipes are divided according to the colour wheel, from crimson red through to the palest of greys. These are further sub-divided into recipes for cotton yarn or wool, with extra information given for adapting these to cloth and other animal and protein fibres. A colour swatch accompanies each of the 500 recipes to assist matching an existing colour or the selection of a recipe that appeals to you. The process is surrounded by an almost alchemical mystique, there are instructions on setting up a workspace, and how to make the five principal mordaunts using copper, chrome, alum, tin and iron.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gwen Fereday is a professional weaver and dyer with over twenty years' experience. She teaches at both degree and graduate level at Chelsea, Farnham and Islington City College in addition to running her own weekend workshops. She has worked as a colour matcher in the fashion industry and is an expert restorer of antique textiles.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 104 pages
• Publisher: British Museum Press (December 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893063070
• ISBN-13: 978-1893063075
• ASIN: 0714125652
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,141,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ' Natural Dyes ' - by- Gwen Fereday, July 7, 2006

By 

Clive Rogers "Clive Rogers" (England , UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natural Dyes (Hardcover)

This book was the subject of an extensive working study conducted over several years into the working recipes and actions of natural dye stuffs. It addresses the difficulties of dying to cotton and other fibres as well as wool. The methods are tried and tested as the process was one of trial and error.

In it's hard-binding the attractive and straightforward layout makes for a good working everyday handbook.

The author is a professional and an artist in the field.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The color chips are the best source, March 7, 2010

By 

J. Jackson (West Jordan, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Natural Dyes (Hardcover)

I have a lot of natural dyeing books on my shelf, this book is a nice addition. She gives great recipes for attaining the colors illustrated in the color chips directory.