Dye Plants and Dyeing

(Revised Edition)

Illustrations by Gretel Dalby-Quenet

A newly revised edition of the popular 1994 book, this clear account of plants from which natural dyes can be obtained will be welcomed not only by all who work with fiber arts but also by botanists. The authors have selected 48 plants from different parts of the world and they describe each plant's structure and cultivation, the history of each as a dye source, and the best method for a plant's use based on their own experiments. Most well-known dye plants are discussed, and each plant is beautifully illustrated by Gretel Dalby-Quenet in a full-page painting that shows the colors the plant can yield.

Media reviews of this book:

"This is a valuable book for gardeners, hobbyists, teachers and beginners interested in dyeing, spinning and weaving."

—Joanne S. Carpender, National Gardener, February 2003

"Well written, informative, and easy to use. "

—Katelyn Thomas, Bella Online, January 21, 2005

"I can imagine the pages of this book becoming well worn and 'naturally dyed' with usage."

—Lugene Bruno, Huntia, 2005

"I would recommend this book to you talented crafters who would get excellent advice here, and also to the plant lovers who like to learn more things about their favorite plants."

—Jan Stolen, Hobby Greenhouse, Winter 2003

"For those botanists interested in the economic uses of plants, this is a volume with excellent coverage of western dye plants."

—Elizabeth Harris, Plant Science Bulletin, Fall 2003

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An excerpt from this book:

Walnut dyes are of great historic importance. In the first century AD, Pliny records their use to keep hair from turning white. His recipe included the use of walnut shells (probably husks) boiled with oil, ashes, lead and earthworms. In the Ladies Dictionary of 1694, walnut husks were used in hair dyes to make grey hair black. The recipe states: "Hair, to render it black, take the bark of an oak root, green husks of walnut, three ounces of each, and the deepest and oldest red wine a pint. Boil them well bruised to the consumption of half a pint, strain out the juice and add oil of myrtle a pound and a half ...

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