Highland Guild of Weavers Spinners & Dyers

Library – 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 via this website. Here is the current list (October 2023) of dyeing books. For annotations see below.

In addition to the books listed we have a copy of the syllabus for the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers (AGWSD) Certificate of Achievement in Natural Dyeing (2013); a catalogue of the 2016 AGWSD exhibition; programmes of the 2015 and 2017 summers schools; four copies of the journal (issues 256, 261, 262,263); and the slide collection 1971-2010.

  • A Dyer’s Garden

    Growing dyes for natural fibres. Includes an illustrated ‘portfolio’ of dye garden plants, with sample dyeing results. By Rita Buchanan

  • 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

    How to prepare and use natural dyes on a variety of fibres. Comprehensive recipe section. By Jenny Dean.

  • 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

    Clear instructions and step-by-step pictures demonstrate the dying process and several creative projects. By Vivien Prideaux.

  • 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

    ‘A comprehensive dyeing manual that will encourage the absolute beginner…and inspire the more experienced dyer.’ Step-by-step instructions with illustrations and photographs. By Helen Deighan

  • Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes

    Step-by-step instructions and colour photographs; basics of making and using natural plant dye, from gathering materials to ideas for using them. By Sasha Duerr.

  • The Use of Vegetable Dyes

    Covers the dye-house, mordanting, plant collection, British dye plants and recipes, lichen dyes, bibliography. By Violetta Thurstan

  • Natural Dyes for Spinners and Weavers

    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. By Hetti Wickens.

  • 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. This is an old and fragile publication, kept in a protective bag.

  • Lichens

    Short but comprehensive guide to lichens, with colour photographs. By Jack R Laundon

  • Lichens for Vegetable Dyeing

    A handbook to help the handweaver find and identify dye lichens. Descriptions and colour plates by the author. By Eileen Bolton

  • Natural Dyes and Home Dyeing

    Subtitled: A practical guide with over 150 recipes. By Rita J Adrosko. 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

    History of dyeing, processes, dyes by colours, relevant plants and large section of recipes. By J N Liles.

  • Vegetable Dyes

    Subtitled: A book of recipes and information useful to the dyer. By Ethel M Mairet. 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