Fabric to Dye For: Create 72 Hand-Dyed Colors for Your Stash; 5 Fused Quilt Projects
If you've ever seen the colourful work of Freida Anderson, you will know that she hand-dyes all of her fabrics. This 80 page book published by C&T; Publishing is squarely aimed at the first time dyer. About a third of the book is devoted to the basics of dyeing including: sourcing supplies and equipment; setting up your dyeing workspace; preparing your dyes and fabric; dyeing 12-step colour wheel gradations in dark, medium and light values; dyeing 6-step gradations in complementary colours and colour family sets; flat dyeing and using resists; washing and drying your fabrics. This is followed by a six page quilt gallery; a ten page section of fusing and finishing basics (fused binding, pillow-case finish, pleated sleeves and labels) and five fused projects with increasing complexity (Jack in the Pulpit, Irises, a dog portrait, Autumnal Trees, and Amish Leaves.) There are lots of bright photos to get you in the mood (who can resist the lolly-like appeal of colour gradations?!) Frieda uses a method of pre-soaking fabrics in soda-ash solution and then applying dye solutions made from simple formulae using cup, tablespoon and teaspoon measurements. It's not rocket science, it's not hard and it's not novel but that's the point. For someone who is new to the wonder of dyeing, the book presents clear step-by-step instructions to get started. I wish Frieda's book Fabric to Dye For had been available when I first started dyeing fabrics. (Serendipity, March 26, 2010)Frieda's instructions for dyeing fabric in 72 colors using only seven Procion dye colors, three bright, three warm and a basic black, are exceptionally well organized, concise and easy to follow. She includes a list of all of the necessary tools and materials, safety precautions and advice on different kinds of dyeing using containers, flat surfaces resists, pour dyeing and painting with thickened dye. A section on making fused art quilts with your newly created hand dyed fabrics is also included, and Frieda tells you how to design, fuse, machine quilt and finish your piece. Five delightful fused quilt patterns and instructions are given, as well as a gallery of artwork by the author and other artists for your inspiration. (Machine Quilting Unlimited, May 1, 2010)Beginner fabric dyers will delight in Frieda Anderson's user-friendly guide to coloring your own cloth. If you're new to dyeing, or simply want to perfect your practice, you'll find all the necessary information within these pages. Anderson focuses on Procion MX dyes and comprehensibly takes the reader through all steps of the fabric dyeing process, from preparing the fixative to mixing the dyes and immersing the fabrics. She focuses on gradation dyeing in particular, demonstrating how just a few colors can be used to create a collection of fabrics in a range of harmonized hues. Techniques for dyeing fabric flat and dye painting are also included. Anderson even outlines the basics of fusing and finishing your quilts, and includes five fusing projects that allow you to put your newly dyed fabrics to use. For a first-time dyer, this basic and straightforward guide has all you need to get started. (Quilting Arts, April 1, 2010)Have you ever wanted to dye your own fabrics but were concerned about the messy, complex process? Then this book is for you. Frieda shows you how to dye fabrics at home with inexpensive equipment and supplies. The step-by-step instructions and easy-to- follow charts are a must for first-time dyers. Frieda even offers helpful wardrobe tips - dressing for dyeing as well as patterns for five quilting projects in her signature style. (Quilters Newsletter, June 1, 2010)Frieda Anderson has been dyeing fabrics to use in her quiltmaking for many years. Fabric to Dye For is an accumulation of her knowledge so that the rest of us don't have to learn the hard way. Written with the first-time dyer in mind, she has focused on a process that is easy (using Procioen MX powdered dyes) and requires only basic, inexpensive equipment that can be purchased at a hardware store or supermarket. The technique section of the book is detailed and illustrated with lots of useful photographs. A gallery of Frieda's quilts made from her hand-dyed fabrics and instructions for using your own hand-dyed fabrics in five small quilt projects are also included. Highly recommended for those who would like to have a go. (Australian Homespun, August 1, 2010)