Home-grown botanical dyes are in, and they're part of today's shift toward natural and organic living. "A new generation discovers grow-it-yourself dyes," says the New York Times. And you don't have to have a degree in chemistry to create your own natural dyes. It just takes a garden plot and a kitchen. A Garden to Dye For shows how super-simple it is to plant and grow a dyer's garden and create beautiful dyes. Many of these plants may already be in our cutting, cottage or food gardens, ready for double duty. These special plants can fit right in with traditional garden themes. A Garden to Dye For features 40-plus plants that the gardener-crafter can grow for an all-natural, customized color palette. A dyer's garden can be a mosaic of flowers, herbs, roots and fruits that lend us their pigments to beautify other areas of our lives. The richly photographed book is divided between the garden and the dye process, with garden layouts, plant profiles, dye extraction and uses, step-by-step recipes and original, engaging DIY projects. This is the book that bridges the topic of plant dyes to mainstream gardeners, the folks who enjoy growing the plants as much as using them in craft projects. www.agardentodyefor; and on Facebook: A Garden to Dye For.

Batik occupies a special place in Indonesian culture. Each fabric has a rich story to tell--as a reflection of the nation's religious beliefs, sophisticated court cultures and cosmopolitan history. The extraordinary textiles in this book are from the collections of Rudolf Smend and Donald Harper. Most date from the period 1880 to 1930 when the art of batik reached its apogee. Having collected historical batik for over thirty years and published two books on the subject, Rudolf Smend has invited his friend and fellow batik specialist Donald Harper to contribute his fine collection to this publication as well. None of the batik in this book have been published before. They represent an exquisite cross-section of the batik production of Java--the most important batik-producing region in the world. The cloths are complemented by vintage photographs from the first quarter of the 20th century demonstrating how the batik were worn at court and at home. Three are from museums in Dresden and Cologne, while three are from the private collection of Leo Haks. The others have been collected over the past 30 years from private sources in Java. The captions are by Maria Wronska-Friend, an ethnologist and batik expert who frequently visits Indonesian batik centers and has worked for many years as an anthropologist in Papua New Guinea. Her contributions provide fundamental knowledge for lovers of this art form while at the same time providing new insights for experts. Rudolf Smend has invited other batik aficionados of his generation to share their passion for batik in this book. Inger McCabe Elliott, author of the bestselling Batik: Fabled Cloth of Java has contributed her lifelong experience. Other authorities like Annegret Haake, Brigitte Khan Majlis and Jonathan Hope share their views and expertise in these pages. This book represents a labor of love and a lifetime of friendship for the two authors, who hope it will provide inspiration to a whole new generation of batik lovers.

Tie dye is back - and in a big way! Gracing catwalks and chic interiors the world over, hand-dyed textiles have never been cooler. Whether it's dip dyeing, shibori, ombre or classic circle designs, this book contains all the essential skills readers need to create contemporary patterned textiles using simple dyeing techniques. Expert authors Pepa and Karen provide detailed step-by-step instructions and clear photographs for the core techniques, and a pattern directory showing how to achieve a myriad of beautiful designs. Each technique has multiple variations demonstrating the different ways the reader can manipulate the effect created. Each technique is accompanied by a desirable wearable or home decor project, giving readers the opportunity to put their new skills to use.

The best resource on natural dyeing is back, updated to make your colorful hobby even more beautiful and rewarding.
A practical and inspiring guide to creating and using natural dyes from plants, "Wild Color, Revised and Updated Edition," offers the latest information on current environmentally friendly dyeing techniques and more than 65 species of plants and natural dyestuffs.
This comprehensive book outlines all the necessary equipment, how to select fibers and plant parts, choose the right methods for mordanting and dyeing, test color modifiers and the fastness of dyed colors, and obtain a range of gorgeous colors from every plant, from alter to woad, shown in more than 250 swatches.
"Wild Color, Revised and Updated Edition, "is the all-in-one resource for fiber enthusiasts, including knitters, sewers, and weavers; gardeners who are interested in new uses for traditional dye plants; and eco-conscious DIYers who want authoritative information about the natural dyeing process and the plants that are essential to it.

Transform your home and wardrobe with this fresh and modern take on tie-dye. Tie-dye has shaken off its hippie image to become a stylish and iconic look, bringing bright colours, striking patterns and heaps of character to all kinds of clothing and textiles. One of the oldest dyeing techniques, it is also one of the simplest: just a few basic steps produce brilliant and memorable results, with no two pieces exactly alike. This book shows how easy it is to hand-dye your own items at home, with 15 fashion-forward projects, from statement T-shirts, dip-dye shoe-laces and cosmic babygros, to sophisticated shibori tea towels, tropical bunting and retro woven plant hangers. Clear step-by-step instructions and fun, colourful photography demonstrate how to tie, fold, stitch or clamp your fabric for a range of different effects, such as stripes, swirls, fish scales, grid-lines or even rainbows. Then dye, rinse, untie, dry and iron - ready for the big reveal! Including advice on mixing shades, choosing fabrics and washing instructions, tie-dye addict Lizzie King shares all the inspiration you need to create a vibrant kaleidoscope of gifts, garments, homewares and accessories.