Natural dyes

This handbook spans the skill levels of beginners, students and professionals. It explains how over 500 rich colours can be achieved from the five principal natural dyestuffs of madder, cochineal, weld, cutch and indigo. In addition, other ingredients, such as walnut husks, are included where they are known to expedite results. The recipes are divided according to the colour wheel, from crimson red through to the palest of greys. These are further sub-divided into recipes for cotton yarn or wool, with extra information given for adapting these to cloth and other animal and protein fibres. A colour swatch accompanies each of the 500 recipes to assist matching an existing colour or the selection of a recipe that appeals to you. The process is surrounded by an almost alchemical mystique, there are instructions on setting up a workspace, and how to make the five principal mordaunts using copper, chrome, alum, tin and iron.