Highland Guild of Weavers, spinners & Dyers
Books on Dyeing
These are the books from our library that relate to dyeing of all kinds. Descriptions will be added gradually. Members can browse and borrow whenever we have a Guild meeting at Strathpeffer Community Centre. To borrow at any other time, please contact us by email.
Below is the current list (October 2023) of dyeing books.
For annotations see below.
In addition to the books listed we also have the following:
-
a copy of the syllabus for the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers (AGWSD) Certificate of Achievement in Natural Dyeing (2013)
-
catalogue of the 2016 AGWSD exhibition
-
programmes of the 2015 and 2017 summers schools
-
four copies of the journal (issues 256, 261, 262, 263)
-
the slide collection 1971-2010.
A Dyer’s Garden
By Rita Buchanan.
Growing dyes for natural fibres. Includes an illustrated ‘portfolio’ of dye garden plants, with sample dyeing results.
Dye Plants and Dyeing
Revised printing of Plants and Gardens Vol 20 No3. Articles, recipes, historical background, etc.
A Dyer’s Manual
By Jill Goodwin.
Information on equipment, selection of fibres for dyeing, step-by-step guidance, recipes.
Colour and b/w photographs.
Colours from Nature
By Jenny Dean.
How to prepare and use natural dyes on a variety of fibres. Comprehensive recipe section.
Wild Colour
By Jenny Dean.
Colour illustrations, instructions for various methods, section on 65 specious of plants and natural dyestuffs and their colour ranges.
A Handbook of Indigo Dyeing
By Vivien Prideaux.
Clear instructions and step-by-step pictures demonstrate the dying process and several creative projects. .
The Indigo Girl
By Natasha Boyd.
A novel based on the true story of Eliza Lucas, whose life was dedicated to the development of indigo farming.
Dyeing in Plastic Bags
The author shows how her unique methods of dying would work in a domestic situation. Includes plastic bags, tie-dying, cat litter trays, children, record keeping and FAQs. By Helen Deighan.
Magic Dyeing Made Easy
By Helen Deighan.
A comprehensive dyeing manual that will encourage the absolute beginner…and inspire the more experienced dyer.’
Step-by-step instructions with illustrations and photographs.
Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes
By Sasha Duerr.
Step-by-step instructions and colour photographs; basics of making and using natural plant dye, from gathering materials to ideas for using them.
The Use of Vegetable Dyes
By Violetta Thurstan.
Covers the dye-house, mordanting, plant collection, British dye plants and recipes, lichen dyes, bibliography.
Natural Dyes for Spinners and Weavers
By Hetti Wickens.
The identification and use of a wide range of natural dyes…how to select and prepare fibres for dying…the methods for treating different fibres. Mordants; historical dyes; blending colours; dye recipes.
Spinning and Dyeing the Natural Way
By Ruth Castino.
A general introduction with colour and b/w photographs throughout.
Chambers Journal February 1948
One of the books left to the Guild by Rose McLennan, a spinner, weaver and dyer who died in 2011 at the age of 103. She has noted on the front of the journal: Tebetan veg. dyes (method for indigo).
The article includes handwritten margin notes.
his is an old and fragile publication, kept in a protective bag.
Lichens
By Jack R Laundon.
Short but comprehensive guide to lichens, with colour photographs.
Lichens for Vegetable Dyeing
By Eileen Bolton.
A handbook to help the handweaver find and identify dye lichens.
Descriptions and colour plates by the author.
Natural Dyes and Home Dyeing
By Rita J Adrosko.
Subtitled: A practical guide with over 150 recipes.
Discussion of dyes in America during 18th / 19th centuries, with a large collection of dye recipes, charts and appendices on specific topics.
The Art and Craft of Natural Dyeing
By J N Liles.
History of dyeing, processes, dyes by colours, relevant plants and large section of recipes.
Vegetable Dyes
By Ethel M Mairet.
Subtitled: A book of recipes and information useful to the dyer.
Reprint of the 1916 original.
Colour Works
By Deb Menz.
Spiral bound, fascinating in-depth serious guide to working with colour.
Contains, tear-out colour tools, which Guild members will need to copy rather than detach.
The Wool Book
By Margaret Dixon.
A guide to spinning, dyeing and knitting, from fibre to patterns, line drawings and colour photographs throughout.
The Joy of Spinning
By Marilyn Kluger.
The first complete book on handspinning for the hobbyist and craftsman – from choosing a wheel to carding, spinning and dying the handspun yarns with native plant dyes.
The Wonderful Work of the Weaver
By Lilias Mitchell.
Despite the title, this little booklet covers breeds of sheep, fleece preparation, spinning, dyeing and weaving as practised in Ireland.
Spinning, Dyeing and Weaving
By Penny Walsh.
Fibre, combing and carding, spinning, dyeing, weaving, projects, glossary. Illustrated.
Spinning, Dyeing and Weaving
A WI Home Skills guide, remarkably comprehensive, simple publication with colour photographs and diaggrams.
The Woolcraft Book
Information on spinning, dyeing and weaving