A Heritage of Colour explores the techniques that can be used to create a wealth of colours from 50 plants, including many that have been in constant use as dyes for over 2000 years. Inspired by the colours on textile fragments from the Iron Age and by the achievements of early dyers, the author describes some of the dyes and methods of the past and considers how they can be adapted for use by today's dyers. The book covers all the basics of natural dyeing and explains in detail how to experiment with local plants, wherever you may live, to produce a wide range of beautiful, rich colours on textile fibres. A Heritage of Colour also includes sections on dyeing with fungi, contact printing on cloth and dyeing multi-coloured fibres and fabrics. The emphasis throughout is on environmentally-friendly methods and on the thrill of personal discovery through practical experience.
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Introduction
Inspiration from the Past
Environmental Considerations
The Basics
Equipment
Selecting and Preparing Fibres for Dyeing
Selecting, Harvesting and Preparing Dyes
Mordants
Extracting Dye Colour
Application of Dyes
Colour Modifiers
Testing for Fastness
Other Techniques
Contact Dyeing on Fabric Using Plant Materials
Dyeing with Frozen Flowers
Over-Dyeing and Multi-coloured Skeins and Fabrics
The Dye Plants
Using Lichens for Dyeing
Using Fungi for Dyeing
A Brief Outline of Natural Dyes in Europe from the Iron Age to c1650
Health and Safety Information
Bibliography
Suppliers
Acknowledgements
Index
