No comments about Eco Colour: Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles.

5 comments about Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece: Custom-Color Your Favorite Fibers with Dip-Dyeing, Hand-Painting, Tie-Dyeing, and Other Creative Techniques.

1. This is a great book. Excellent instructions, fabulous photos. A must have for your studio library!



2. This is a great book, especially for a beginner. It is very clear and wonderfully illustrated. This book focuses on dying protein only. If you want to dye any cellulose this book will not be of much help but it is a great book for protein dyers. It really takes the mystery out of dyeing.



3. This is a fun book, good for beginners and lots of information & tips for those with some dyeing experience



4. This is the book that finally transformed me from a collector of dying supplies to an actual dyer of wool!



5. I'm an avid knitter who is frequently frustrated that the colors I envision for a project are not available in the gauge or type of yarn I seek. Compromising the vision is almost always a necessity. People suggested I learn to dye, and I acquired six dyeing books over the years. Each of them intimidated me. This one encourages the dyeing neophyte to try it by making the process easy, clear, and fun! I can do this - at home, without a lot of expensive equipment. The chapter on color is especially helpful in developing color-choosing confidence. I'm delighted to have this book because I am already on my way to realizing my project visions!

5 comments about Fabric Dyer's Dictionary: 900+ Colors, Specialty Techiniques, The Only Dyeing Book You'll Ever Need!.

1. I must own every fabric dyeing book published and they all have their strengths. However, what's lacking in these books is a comprehensive set of color formulas. Fabric Dyer's Dictionary does provide a comprehensive set of mixing formulas plus an explanation of why that color happens. Now I know what causes some colors to be more muted verses bright. The color photos in this book are terrific and the content is rich and encompassing. I also like that none of the pages in this book are wasted on projects using hand-dyed fabric. If you are a beginning or serious fabric dyer, this book will be a great addition to your library!



2. This book is a great reference for anyone working with ProMX dyes. The colors are well documented with pictures. My only complaint is that the formulas are based on her "stock solutions" which she based on tablespoons and teaspoons, instead of weight. However, you can convert her measurements to percentages easily enough. I highly recommend!



3. I have read many books on dyeing, I love colour. Apart from giving the basics of the process and preparation, this book gives wonderful 'recipes' for dyeing cloth in fabulous shades of colour. None of my other dyeing books do this. So I think this book is tops. In addition it has information on speciality techniques such as soda ash to get texture into the dye, layering and much more. Highly recommended for dyers. This review first appeared on Karen Platt's book review website.



4. tHIS IS A GREAT BOOK. I've been dyeing for a while now, but I admit I am just past the beginning stage and this book has the formulas for mixing colors, all colors, will be my standard from now on.



5. This is a new book that arrived today from C&T Publishing. Despite the fact the the author, Linda Johansen, and I share a last name -I don't know her. Ratz! My favorite dyeing books have always been Anne Johnston's and Elin Noble's. I started dyeing cloth by using them and always refer back to them. This book, however, will definitely have a new place next to these others in my library. This is a book that I really, really like. It is written clearly, concisely and is exceptionally well illustrated. The book is laid out well. The basics are, of course, covered in the beginning of the book with detailed handling and mixing instructions. She also goes over the importance of record keeping - something that I was never very good at doing. I just always loved the kismet of the process - I liked never knowing what would happen. She compares the clear, muted and black colors offered by both ProChem and Dharma Trading. It's a handy little table. Each page details instructions for using fat quarters, half yards and yards of fabrics. This is a nice, handy way to present the needed information.he pages below are for creating a rainbow. She delineates the process for clear, muted and dark rainbow colors. Clear, concise and easy to understand. The end of the book is devote to some specialty techniques; tie dying, rolling, patterning, layering, using dye powders and pleating and dipping
   
   Linda Johansen has had 5 books, I think it is, published through C&T Publishing. I am so pleased to have this as an addition to my dyeing library. I think it's a book that will please anyone who has an interest in hand dyeing their own fabrics.

5 comments about Secrets of Digital Quilting--From Camera to Quilt: 8 Projects; 25 Techniques; Embellish with Paints, Inks & More.

1. I have not had time to finish this book yet. I will finish it, but even if I didn't-it would be worth every penny I spent on it.I have read several books and many articles on using a digital camera to take photo's with the intent of printing them of fabric.I learned more in the first two chapters of this book than I learned in all the other books put together.It tells you WHY it's best to do something a certain way which is what my inquiring mind wants to know.The technical information is a real help.



2. This is an absorbing guide to making quilts with the aid of a digital camera and computer. It tells you all you need, how to get images from your camera onto your fabric, how to embellish your design. Includes basics, design and construction of quilts. It also includes eight projects, twenty five techniques and embellishing with paints and inks and lots more.
   
   If you have ever wanted to use your camera and computer to create fabulous quilts, this is the book for you. Great insider knowledge is provided as 'secrets'. How to get the best from your camera, use Photoshop and print onto fabric. This review first appeared on Karen Platt's book review website.



3. I have been a fan of Lura's art quilts since I first saw her demonstrate her face-painting techniques on HGTV's Simply Quilts. This book combines Lura's talents in art and quilt making with her husband Kerby's expertise as a professional photographer. It includes useful information on the how and why of using your digital camera specifically for printing on fabric, which I have not found in other digital photography guides. The technical chapters demystify those all those settings on your digital camera and the different types of digital files. Best of all, it explains how to use Photoshop Elements software to improve your pictures for the effects you want in your digital photo fabric. Even if you only want to use a point-and-shoot camera without learning all the technical stuff, there is good information for you in this book. There are mini-art lessons by Lura which deal with elements of design like positive and negative space, symmetry and balance, shape and form, color and value. Additionally, there is a section in which Lura references the types of markers and paints that she uses to enhance her surface design with additional color and shading. There are eight projects which utilize the different techniques explained in the book, with handy page references. What I like about the projects is that they are not patterns or designs for you to replicate. Rather, they offer guidelines and techniques for creating your own unique photo project. A section on construction technique offers a tutorial on piecing curves the P-Free way: no paper, no pins, no planning! I recommend this book for anyone who wants to improve their digital photography and editing skills, and learn some new art quilting techniques.



4. I love the idea of photos and quilting and wanted to go beyond the basic photo in a square memory quilt. Although I already had photoshop experience beyond what is in the book I thought what was there was just enough without getting bogged down. I thought the sample designs inspiring enough and the discussion of fabric and accessories again good without overdoing it. Overall I really liked this book for the way it tackles the topic. I think it suits the beginner to advanced beginner and would suit persons with minimal photoshop skills. I also thought the samples are the type of quilts people realistically look to do.



5. A marvelous book by Lura Schwarz Smith and Kerby C. Smith, offers inspiration and encouragement with many juicy secrets. Printing photos on fabric using Photoshop Elements is explained and photographed with the actual screens. Experiments with different art supplies, pens, inks, paint, crayons, etc., have been done to offer advise on the lighfastness and washabilities of these products on the fabric photo prints, a great time saver when one needs to know which to use to enhance a color in a print. Creative elements in designing quilts will have one running to their sewing supplies to try this method of quilting, the book's last page of instructions is how to create the label! Flipping through the pages is a delight, the top of the pages show quilt designs of each chapter, the page numbers are next to a quilt block.

5 comments about Shibori Designs & Techniques.

1. Where do I start with this book? there are so many ideas and options here that I can't deside what to try first. I will be dyeing many things before I run out of ideas gathered from this book. Love it.



2. Clear instructions, helpful step-by-step photos, inspirational images: this book is what I was looking for.



3. I own 5 Shibori books all of which have their niche. THIS book is a workbook as well as a source of wonderful examples of shibori. VERY practical.



4. Instructions are very easy to follow and well illustrated with full color photographs. The book covers a wide range of techniques and explains them all in detail.



5. Not a book of "patterns" for you to follow...but lots of detailed instructions for many types of shibori. Beautiful photography. This book is a great reference/resource.

5 comments about The Surface Designer's Handbook: Dyeing, Printing, Painting, and Creating Resists on Fabric.

1. When looking for crafts, I think main thing is visual step-by-step help: You won't find it in this book. There are large written explanations, worksheets and figures. And then... a photo of the final result! Wonderful, indeed, but not very helpful as you will never know how how they did it.



2. I purchased the book and find the quality of the information is very good and focuses on each step starting with safety, followed by how each type of products will affect the different fibers. Very good value and a good reference book for any fiber arts adventure. Also inspirational - to start that new fiber project but wasn't sure how to tackle. Love it!



3. Purchased this book in hopes that it would stir ones imagination. Guess what? It did and so much more. I now use this as a mini bible for reference. As a once traditional artist now turned textile artist I see no limits to what I can imagine.
   
   
   Thanks Holly, this book rocks.
   Alan
   SOCAL



4. I'm just learning how much can be done with dyes and fabrics. This book gives a thorough overview with enough detail so that I can go to the next level with it.



5. Ms. Brackmann's years of experience as a working artist and teacher provide a bounty of tips for even the most seasoned surface designer. Clear, concise instruction for those trying a new technique. Insights from years of experimentation for those wishing to push boundaries in their own work. The wire bound handbook makes a great studio companion. The extensive photographs are informative and inspiring. Nice to see the work for lesser known but important northern California artists like Lolli Jacobsen included here. It's a great book.

5 comments about A Dyer's Garden: From Plant to Pot: Growing Dyes for Natural Fibers.

1. Great book with lot of information about different type of plants, lichen, and mushrooms that can be used to dye natural fibers. Excellent instruction and plenty of photos. Would highly recommend this book.



2. This little book is a "huge" gem of information. First of all the format is perfect, small, note-book size and fits your hands well.It also is well designed and very info accesible
   It has everything from plants history, growing and harvesting procedure to dying techniques with materials and illustrations. I have several other dyeing books and this one is superior and attractive. I bought this one and also received one as a christmas gift// I shall keep them both. with one for me and one to share with other fiber artists....thank you !!!!!!



3. This book is amazing. It covers everthing you need to know about dye plants and how to grow and use them. The book has a whole section of full color examples of the different plant based dyes used on different fibers with different mordants, clearly showing the differences in color between the mordants and the fibers. For that alone I would consider the book worth twice the price. Combined with the cultivation information, and the detailed information about each plant, the book is indispensible to those interested in natural dyes.
   
   I highly recommend both this book and her other book "The Weavers Garden" to anyone interested in spinning, weaving, dyeing, plants, historic re-enactors, or costume or textile historians.



4. This was my first introduction to the world of dyeing with plants. The photography is terrific and gives you a good idea of what you'll get from each plant. Mordants are discussed, and the plants that are included are covered thoroughly for both cultivation and dye recipes. My only regret? That I can't find the seeds for the Japanese Indigo! I recommended this book to several people when we attended our local fiber festival.



5. This book focuses mainly on the home growing and use of dye plants. There is even a section devoted to the layout of the home dye garden. General mordanting and dye bath info is given at the beginning of the book. In the "Portfolio of Dye Plants" which follows, two pages are devoted to each dye plant. For each plant, 4-10 color photos illustrate the results obtained with various mordants on different fibers. The instructions for using different plants are not in traditional recipe form. Instead, Buchanan indicates how much plant material is generally required for a given amount of fiber ("flowers from 8 plants," etc). This fits in with Buchanan's emphasis on diversity of color over reproducibility, but it could be troublesome for users of purchased dyestuffs. In short, this book is nice to look at, easy to use, and appears to contain highly useful information for dyer/gardeners.

1 comments about The Complete Guide to Natural Dyeing: Fabric, Yarn, and Fiber.

1. Before there were aniline dyes, there was logwood, indigo, cutch, weld and walnut hulls. Nowadays, you can dye your yarn or quilt fabric with commercial dyes or you can gather natural materials such as onion skins (yellow), cochineal insects (reds and maroons) and a number of flowers such as safflower and make colored yarns and fabrics.
   
   Not only that, but using techniques such as shibori and tie-dying, you can make patterned yarns and fabrics for knitting, weaving and quilting.
   
   This book goes over each color by material such as weld or indigo, shows you how to make the dyebath, mordant the material (a process of salting that allows the dye particles to adhere to the yarn or fabric.) Overdyeing effects, tie-dying, shading, and blends are covered.
   
   While this is not the most complete book I've seen on natural dyes, it is comprehensive and the best part is that either knitters, weavers or quilters (or other fabric artists) will find instructions here that are useful. I've done both indigo and onion-skin dyeing of handspun yarn and it's well worth it for the fiber artist to try this at least once, as it gives great insight into the history and difficulty of obtaining beautifully colored materials. You never quite look at a dyed fabric the same way again, knowing how difficult obtaining certain colors can be. For example, greys are covered as well as beige and while we don't think of these as "colors" per se, they are something that unless you are using naturally colored sheep wool, you won't find in nature. There is a certain subtle nature to natural dyes, colors muted that are somehow more evocative than bright artificial dyes. The greens you get from elder, the golden yellows from onion, and the incredible greenish blue of indigo are amazing to behold.
   
   If you are interesting in dyeing for either spinning, weaving, knitting or quilting, there is a lot in this book to try out.

5 comments about Jane Davila's Surface Design Essentials: Explore Paints, Mediums, Inks and Pencils, 15 Techniques for Fabric and More.

1. In the introduction to Jane Davila's Surface Design Essentials, Jane promises to expand my horizons. By page 24, my horizons were suitably expanded, and I wasn't even halfway through the book!
   
   The book begins with basic and easy to understand instructions on surface design basics, from the very basic mixing colors to using a palette. From there, Jane devotes short chapters to all kinds of surface design techniques, all using acrylic paints, inks, and mediums, with surfaces ranging from regular cotton fabric to unusual surfaces like lutradur. No one chapter is exhaustive, but every chapter has all the basic information you need to jump in and try something, with a large number of actual projects in the back of the book that draw on one or more of the techniques covered in the book. There were a couple of instances where I didn't clearly understand Jane's references, but between emailing her with my questions, and google, I got all the answers I needed.
   
   I have played around with dyeing fabric in the past, because I love the idea of having just the perfect shade or color for a project, but found it rather intensive as far as equipment, chemicals, preparation and cleanup is concerned. Jane's approach is far simpler, just as effective, uses much less complicated and toxic ingredients, and is as a result far less expensive and time consuming. Many of the supplies she uses in her book are ones I already had, and what I didn't have I could find easily enough at the local craft store. "THE MUST-HAVE REFERENCE TOOL FOR SURFACE DESIGN SUCCESS" is the text on the back cover. I totally agree - I will be referring to this book frequently in my mixed media and art quilting projects. I will also be re-visiting this book from time to time as a motivational tool - by the time I'd finished reading the book, I'd made several little projects from her instructions using techniques I was unfamiliar with, and enjoyed every second!



2. This book may be small in format but it's big on ideas and techniques. It includes the basics for playing with various techniques that could be used by quilters, fiber artists and mixed-media artists. Each technique is illustrated with lots of colorful photos which make it easy to follow along. Although this book may appear to be geared towards the beginner it should also appeal to the more experienced artist since it contains a gallery of ideas. I appreciate that the author has limited her use of products to those that are more earth friendly, clean up with soap and water and are easy to find. Most of the projects in the book can be made without spending a fortune on materials. A great reference book which I will refer to time and time again.



3. I'm all about the art and craft books. Seriously. I can't get enough of them. My bookcase is proof. I will admit to being surprised when this book showed up - familiar with Jane Davila and her work, the size just took me aback when I pulled it out of the box.
   
   However...
   
   After opening the book and paging through it, I quickly forgot about the size. (In this case, size really doesn't matter!) This is a fantastic book, bursting with awesomeness. The 6" x 9" size - with soft cover and spiral binding - is full of color photos, in-depth explanations, and A+ techniques. This is one of Davila's finest books.
   
   There are 15 techniques - a wide variety of interesting ideas. Whether you have loads of "surface design" experience (you already frou-frou up everything within reach), or are just beginning, Davila will expertly guide you through the ins-and-outs of fun, unique ways to art up whatever surface you have in mind. Davila is well-known in the fiber and quilt worlds, so her techniques tend to focus on fiber (go figure!) - but almost all are adaptable to other surfaces. There is not one technique in Surface Design Essentials that you can't easily transfer to paper. Then again, I can see many of her fabulous techniques used on tons of surfaces - and I plan on spending a good portion of the summer playing with the techniques, then using my newly acquired skills on a variety of surfaces.
   
   If you're at all artsy (or just a packrat), you probably already have most of the tools/products she discusses. The book is well laid out - Introduction to Surface Design, Surface Design Basics, Surface Design Techniques, Projects, Gallery, and finally, About the Author. To tempt you further, a few of the techniques she covers: Monoprinting - Additive, Monoprinting - Subtractive, Modifying Commercial Fabric, Making Image Transfers, Creating Background Washes, Using Acrylic Ink (in two parts)...yum!
   
   It's easy to see why Davila is so well-regarded - she'll have you getting your art on with a simple flip of some pages! (The highest compliment I can give this book? Davila makes every technique in Surface Design Essentials seem as easy as turning the pages in the book. That's talent!)



4. This book is full of informative information, and I like doing the lesson tat are resourceful. Thanks.



5. This is the perfect book for those who want to jump in to the world of fiber arts. Jane doesn't try to teach you everything she knows at once, but treats you to the basics of the materials and techniques of surface design with lots of illustrations and seven doable projects. Love the size of the book and the spiral binding.

No comments about Wild Color, Revised and Updated Edition: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes.