Take a colourful journey through the seasons with this essential guide to sustainable, botanical dyeing from noted expert Aurelia Wolff.

A captivating blend of chemistry, culinary flair and the magic of dye-pot alchemy, natural dyeing allows you to create your own vibrant, uniquely colourful results.

Author and 'colour cook' Aurelia Wolff provides 18 easy-to-follow recipes that will guide you through the seasons, from delicate shades of walnut in spring; vibrant madder in summer; warm oak and elderberry in autumn; to rich chestnut completing the seasonal palette in winter. The gentle treatment of leaves, roots, bark and flowers can result in exquisite hues on natural fabrics, so with Aurelia's clear, expert guidance, discover how to forage ethically, dye naturally and create your own unique natural palette.

This practical yet visually sumptuous book contains:

• A thorough, beginner-friendly introduction to botanical dyeing and mordanting, packed with historical insights.
• 18 seasonal recipes using ethically-foraged and easily sourced ingredients.
• An in-depth guide to sustainable, ethical foraging, to encourage a deeper connection with nature.
• A vibrant array of dyed fabric and hand-dyed projects for inspiration, for both experienced artisans and newcomers, including cushions and bedding for the home as well as sandals and a sarong for the beach.
• A foreword and endorsement from Michel Garcia, world-renowned expert in botanical dyeing.

About the Author

Aurelia Wolff is a French textile designer and has been a botanical dyer since 2012. Trained by Michel Garcia, one of the world's greatest experts on natural dyes, she has created the WHOLE project, a linens and accessories brand; a natural colour research lab; and a dye garden in Paris.

Aurelia also teaches and runs workshops, using traditional methods such as hand weaving to promote natural dyeing as a contemporary craft. Her approach involves recycling fabrics and sourcing only organic fibres and upcycling plants to extract colours. Aurelia implements ethical processes in her dye extraction to avoid waste, thus committing to pursuing a more eco-friendly fashion industry.

Visit the WHOLE project website: www.whole.fr

and Instagram account: @ourwholeconcept

Reviews

I'm intrigued to learn some new processes on using botanical dyes within my art practice! I'm thinking on using these techniques to dye some raw canvas which I'll then use as a ground layer for my painting. I love the idea of trying something new and taking the time to do this... let's see how it goes!

The book is Botanical Dyes by Aurelia Wolff - one thing I immediately love is that the autumnal colour palette in this book matches my latest painting! But aside from that I really like how it's laid out according to seasons, and the recipes are detailed and there's also a lot of historical info here too.

It promotes a sustainable alchemical process (big tick) and at first glance it seems to be broken down well... let's see how I get on.

* @alex_oliver_art *

This book is all about getting back to nature and using things found in you gardens and hedgerows to create beautiful natural colours to fabrics yarns and paper. It is a high quality book and excellent value. If you want to get started on a sustainable way to create beautiful things and move away from chemically produced colours this is the book for you. Very descriptive, and informative including the history of dyeing and the terms and processes involved. The book takes you through the seasons using what is available at the time so great for creating seasonal colour changes in your home and for gifts. Amazing at the vibrancy of some of the colours illustrated from just natural ingredients.

* Jackie from Half Yard Sewing Club *

At first I thought this was a specialist publication for textile artists. However, on further inspection, I found it to be a very interesting book, that while showing how to use the colours of nature in plant-based dyeing, it also awakens our senses to nature and reminds us if it's beauty. The first section of the book provides an introduction to Botanical Dyeing, going through everything from the dyeing process, through to using different techniques to dyeing fabrics. The book then follows the seasons as it gives recipes and ideas, showing the beauty that the colours from nature can have throughout the year. The recipes are accompanied by beautiful photographs, showing the range of rich colours that nature produces and that can be used on textiles. A genuinely beautiful, interesting and surprising book. A nature walk won't be the same again!

* Jayne from Half Yard Sewing Club *

An inspiring book, I have never tried dyeing my own fabric but after receiving this book I am keen to give it a go.
A lot of sewing techniques now feature texture and unusual material that can be enhanced by using your own dyes. The book encourages you to forage around and take notice of the natural plants in your garden and hedgerow. Learning about the properties of the plants and the array of colours you can produce.
It is clearly presented into seasons after an extremely comprehensive introduction covering the process, equipment and materials required. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this part, a very interesting and informative, well written section to lead you into starting your new skill. I live in the country and I am now looking at my environment for dyeing opportunities, but you can even use onions if you are short of plants. This is a lovely book, softly coloured print with hand drawn sketches. It is a book that if you left it on your coffee table a visitor would be drawn to pick up and get quickly engrossed.

* Sandra from Half Yard Sewing Club *



Book Information
ISBN 9781800922136
Author Aurelia Wolff
Format Paperback
Page Count 184
Imprint Search Press Ltd
Publisher Search Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 614g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 190mm * 17mm