Thousands of natural materials can produce glorious colour-the cochineal insect produces pink, maroon and purple, and more than 500 species of plants produce indigo blue. Now, in The Modern Natural Dyer, expert Kristine Vejar shares the most user-friendly techniques for dyeing at home with foraged and garden-raised dyestuffs as well as with natural dye extracts. Demystifying the "magic," Vejar explains in straightforward, easy-to-follow detail how to produce consistent, long-lasting colour. With stunning photography of the dyes themselves, the dyeing process, and 20 projects for home and wardrobe, The Modern Natural Dyer is a complete resource for aspiring and experienced dye artisans.

About the Author
Kristine Vejar is the owner of A Verb for Keeping Warm, a popular yarn store and natural dye studio in Oakland, California. She was introduced to natural dyeing during a semester aborad in India while earning her BA in art history from Mills College. She advanced her skills after graduation when she returned to India for 18 months to study textiles and dyeing techniques on a Fulbright scholarship. Back in California, she started dyeing in her kitchen in 2006, rented a dye studio in 2007, opened a small store in 2008, then in 2010 expanded into her current 1700-square foot space with a dedicated retail area, classroom, dye studio, and educational dye garden.

Reviews

Once in a while you fall in love with a book and even if you cannot at the moment use the information in any way, you still treasure it just in case life presents you with that IF moment one day. I have no space to dye currently, especially not to dye with natural dyestuffs, yet I love this book. I love all the visual elements, the colours, the process and the end result. I have long loved colour it is the reason I knit, do textiles and dye small quantities of fabrics and threads. I once did an indigo vat and would love to do this permanently. This is a book of my dreams. It is a resource for natural dyeing, complete with projects. Find the natural materials for dyeing; discover the wonderful colours you can create; explore the possibilities. One of the most fascinating things about dye is the different colours produced by one source. Information is provided on each source. There is also plenty of information about what you can dye. All the processes are fully explained and different methods are included such as eco printing, dyeing from whole dyestuffs and from extracts. Step-by-step photos are included of the dyeing process. There are shade cards for different fibres. The projects are excellent and each one demonstrates different skills in dyeing and the projects include knitted and fabric items such as clothes, quilts, bags. Surface design is also included. This is a highly recommended, quality book that you will want to keep. Whilst not absolutely comprehensive and old hands might not find anything new, it is a wonderful book that I enjoyed immensely.

* Karen Platt- yarnsandfabrics.co.uk *



Book Information
ISBN 9781617691751
Author Kristine Vejar
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Stewart, Tabori & Chang Inc
Publisher Stewart, Tabori & Chang Inc
Weight(grams) 1030g
Dimensions(mm) 248mm * 222mm * 25mm