Craft of the Dyer: Colour from Plants and Lichens

by Karen Diadick Casselman

Craftspeople interested in traditional methods will welcome this complete guide to making and using dyes from plants. Although its emphasis is on plants of Northeastern North America, many of the plants listed are found throughout the world.
Helpful introductory chapters on equipment, mordants, dyeing procedures and other essentials, are followed by individual its suitability for dyeing, useful parts, how to process them, colors, dye fastness, plant identification, where to find it, and more. Also include four valuable indexes — plants by common name, botanical name, by colors produced, and a general index. A list of suppliers, metric conversion tables and other information rounds out this thorough guide to safe, ecologically sound dyeing methods.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1980

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have owned and read Craft of the Dryer: Colour from Plants and lichens ~ Dover Crafts: Weving & Dyeing by Karen Leigh Diadic Casselman, author for many years. Each time I dye fabric for an art project with natural dyes, I refer to this book. I have read all of it several times. My favorite dye is from onion skins because it gives me a bright yellow for cloth. I have used clover, grass, goldenrod and mushrooms for various colors. This type of dying works best with natural fibers.

I like this book because the directions are easy to follow and the results can be just as the book says or a surprise and these are good too. It is a great resourse for natural dying fabric and yarns.

[tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author provides a wealth of knowledge and there is a lot of great information about numerous plant dyes. However, it concerns me how much she mentions vinegar and salt as a mordant. I really don’t understand why an experienced natural dyer would consider those as mordants. Great info if you can override some of these misnomers.

[jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reference book.

[Shawna Troyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book has some good information, but it would be better if there were color photo's showing examples of dyes received. I haven't read many natural dyeing books to compare it to.