"Plants, algae, fungi and insects have been used as dye sources for centuries. Focusing on the sources of dyes that grow wild, or are suitable for cultivation, in Northern Europe, this book explores the versatility, practical uses and environmentally safe applications of natural dyes, while at the same time delving into their botany, chemistry and methods of dyeing. The reader is presented with details of dyes from different sources and information on dyeing practice accompanied by a wealth of beautiful photographic images that illustrate the possible tangible end results discussed in the narrative. Dyeing has traditionally been linked with small-scale craftsmanship and many recipes for home dyeing together with guidance for textile printing are included. However the authors also show how natural dyes are now being utilised on an industrial scale and are becoming increasingly important as a source of renewable raw materials."--Publisher's website.

This long-awaited guide serves as a tool to explain the general principles of natural dyeing, and to help dyers to become more accomplished at their craft through an increased understanding of the process. Photos of more than 450 samples demonstrate the results of actual dye tests, and detailed information covers every aspect of natural dyeing including theory, fibers, mordants, dyes, printing, organic indigo vats, finishing, and the evaluation of dye fastness. Special techniques of printing and discharging indigo are featured as well. The book is intended for dyers and printers who wish to more completely understand the "why" and the "how," while ensuring safe and sustainable practices. Written by a textile engineer and chemist (Boutrup) and a textile artist and practitioner (Ellis), its detailed and tested recipes for every process, including charts and comparisons, make it the ideal resource for dyers with all levels of experience.

"Two hundred and sixty-eight recipes for natural dyes are fully tested and proportioned for practical home preparation."--Publisher description

Natural Dyes for Textiles: Sources, Chemistry and Applications is an in-depth guide to natural dyes, offering complete and practical coverage of the whole dyeing process from source selection to post-treatments. The book identifies plants with high dye content that are viable for commercial use, and provides valuable quantitative information regarding extraction and fastness properties, to aid dye selection. The book presents newer natural dyes in detail, according to their suitability for cotton fabrics, silk fabrics, and wool yarn, before describing the application of each dye. Extraction of plant parts for isolation of colorants, chromatographic techniques for separation, spectroscopic analysis of the isolated colorants, structure elucidation, biomordanting, pretreatments, and post-treatments, are also covered. Prepared by an expert author with many years of experience in researching and writing on natural textile dyes, this book is an important resource for academic researchers, post-graduate students, textile manufacturers, technicians, dye practitioners, and those involved in textile dye research and development. Written by an expert author with many years of experience in researching and writing on natural textile dyes Provides quantitative information about extraction and fastness properties that will be valuable to those involved in dye selection Offers complete and practical coverage of the whole dyeing process from source selection to post-treatments

Describes traditional methods of extracting pigmented materials from trees and plants and provides several dye recipes

"'Harvesting Color' presents the entire process of infusing your life with color--finding the right plants, harvesting them at the best time, transforming the crop into beautiful dye, and, finally, marring pigment to fiber. In this beautiful book, Rebecca Burgess showcases thre dozen common plants that yield striking hues. Citing fascinating botanical lore, she demystifies the process of recognizing each plant in the wild. For those you can grow yourself, she details when to sow the seed and how to nuture the plant. For all the plants, you'll learn the optimal time to harvest, as well as how to extract the best dyes" --Cover flap.