More than I expected and am "dying" to try (pardon the attempt at humor)

I have an aunt who has tried to peak my interest in natural dyes but the closest I ever came was using a walnut dye she had made to color a basket I had made.  However, the idea of learning about and using natural dyes is something I could see myself doing so ordered Sasha Duerr's Natural Color.  Duerr spends the first 40 or so pages explaining the tools, process, sources of natural dyes and how to extract the color, and fibers you may want to consider dying.  She likens dying to cooking.  One has to experiment to find just the right amount to produce the hue or color you want.

The remainder of the book is full of ideas to get your creative juices flowing using a variety of plants based on their growing season.  In other words, the spring, summer, fall, and winter plant material are sectioned off so you can look for items in season. I must admit indigo was my favorite.  Duerr gives clear directions on how to dye the product with an exhaustive list of supplies needed, some of which I am not real certain where to find locally.  In some instances, she explains how to preserve the dye for later projects.  If you want to get a bit more creative, Duerr closes the book with a description of various techniques which can be used to design your one of a kind wearable.  From scarves to bedding to sweaters, the list is endless of the possibilities.

Overall, I really enjoyed looking through the book and reading her explanations.   It may be a bit too earthy and organic for me but that is more of a time issue rather than preference.  I like the fact that the pages are a matte finish, making it easy to make your own notations on the page so you can remember what worked and what didn't as your experiment.  The volume has ideas that will appeal to all ages and walks of life.  Maybe it is time to go try my hand with a bit of indigo or madder root!

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.