Fabulous Fabric Paint by Monique Day-Wilde  & Angie Franke, softback published by Metz Press in South Africa. ISBN 1-919992-21-9, price 12.99 in the UK available from www.searchpress.com

This is a fabulous book about dyeing that I really enjoyed. It has all you need to know about materials plus lots of different techniques for dyeing including all the favourites such as tie-dye, stencilling, stamping, sun prints and screen printing to name a few. It also explores special effects such as wood grain. There are step by step instructions for the techniques and lots of projects to make. I found it easy to use.

Contemporary Dyecraft by Melanie Brummer, softback published by Metz Press in South Africa. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-920268-39-8, price 13.99 from www.searchpress.com

That word contemporary worries me in the context of this book for the designs look rather dated. There has been far more contemporary books on tie-dye. The section on dyeing is good with useful tips. However, the projects let this book down apart from the Black marbling silk scarf and water fantasy silk and maybe the stripey scarves. It has good step by step instructions and photos and photos also of the finished projects.

Dyes from Kitchen Produce by Setsuko Ishii, published by Images Publishing. ISBN 978-1-8647-0410-5, price 14.95 from www.searchpress.com

I like this refreshing book with novel ideas and attractive images. It’s a little bit different. First of all we meet Setsuko and see her in the kitchen dyeing. She uses equipment and resources found in most homes. Having a cup of tea – Setsuko shows you how to dye some fabric with the left over tea or an extra cuppa. She also dyes with onions, different teas, herbs and spices, plants and fruits. The colours achieved are subtle. The recipes are simple to follow, the equipment is minimal and the projects are wonderfully simple yet so effective. This book is a must for those who like to dye naturally, use minimal resources and make pretty little things. I really enjoyed this book.

Eco Colour by India Flint, hardback published by Murdoch. ISBN 978-1741960792, price 25.00 GBP available from www.murdochbooks.co.uk

This is a very special dye book- it’s not a book of quick recipes, it’s a way of life. It has beautiful imagery but it’s more than just a coffee book. Instead of the recipes wehave become accustomed to in other dye books, this book is trying to teach a way of life, so that you learn and experiment and understand the methods and principles of dyeing. The eco prints are beautiful, almost ethereal. India Flint’s whole philosophy is sound – too much dyeing relies on chemicals that are then washed down the drain harming animals and the environment. Whilst there are some basic materials used that are indigenous to Australia, there are others that are easy to obtain such as Isatis tinctoria and rose petals, even Eucalyptus is becoming more readily available and some are easy to grow here too.

Inspired Transfer Paints DVD with Mary Gamester, produced by Colouricious, price 17.99 from www.beckmanndirect.co.uk

All these Colouricious DVDs are a pleasure to watch. Not only that, they are also very instructional. The chapters allow you to work at your own pace to achieve results. Mary Gamester ably takes us through the processes of transfer printing techniques on textiles. She discusses everything you need to know. Lots of inspiration for textile and mixed media artists. There’s always something I have not thought of, so I have learned so much from my sets of Colouricious DVDs.

Art Cloth by Jane Dunnewold, softback published by Interweave in the USA. ISBN 978-1-59668-195-8, price 26.95 USD, 19.99 in the UK from www.searchpress.com

At the high end of the market for a paperback but worth every penny. I also have Complex Cloth by this author and suggested an update for it in my review. This is that update and a very desirable book it is. This has to be the finest guide to printing on cloth. Beautifully produced and illustrated and easy to follow. From making samples to complete art cloths, this book will guide you through the processes involved from preparing cloth, dyeing, over-dyeing, writing on cloth, embellishing and so much more. A firm favourite.

Fabric Dyer’s Dictionary by Linda Johansen, softback published by C&T Publishing in theUSA. ISBN 978-1-57120-863-7, price 23.95 US dollars, from www.ctpub.com

I have read many books on dyeing, I love colour. Apart from giving the basics of the process and preparation, this book gives wonderful ‘recipes’ for dyeing cloth in fabulous shades of colour. None of my other dyeing books do this. So I think this book is tops. In addition it has information on speciality techniques such as soda ash to get texture into the dye, layering and much more. Highly recommended for dyers.

Fabric to Dye For by Frieda Anderson, softback published by CT Publishing. ISBN 978-1-57120-823-1, price 23.95 US dollars available from www.ctpub.com

If you are in love with colour, you will love this book all about dyeing fabrics. Includes information on colour, dyes, preparation and everything you need to know. Discover professional tips on achieving gradation, mottling, mixing, over-dyeing and using up leftover dye to create interesting fabrics. Find out all about resists and much more besides in this wonderful book that makes dyeing so easy. In addition there is information on fusing and finishing. This book is aimed at quilters but could also be used by any sewing addict to create unique fabrics and colours. Includes projects and a gallery of work too. Recommended.

The Complete Guide to Natural Dyeing by Eva Lambert and Tracy Kendall, softback published by Search Press. ISBN 978-1-84448-527-7, price 12.99 from www.searchpress.com

I think this book is terrific, one of the best I have seen on dyeing. I love the colour coded pages. This book deals with dyeing yarns and fabrics. It’s aimed at those who want to dye at home. It tells you everything you need to know with good photographs and instructions. Learn about tie-dye and ikats, random dyeing, indigo and so much more. What I love about this book is the way the varied colours are shown from one dye. Take weld for instance and you can get soft yellow, pistachio, hazelnut and muted yellow. There is also a motif section for resist dyeing and suggestions on recording your data. This book has everything I ever wanted to know about dyeing.

Spin, Dye, Stitch by Jennifer Claydon, softback published by North Light Books in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-60061-1551, price 15.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

This is a book full of ideas for the homespun knitter. Spinning is a craft that has always appealed to me. I like the idea of dyeing in a single large pot. I am rarely seen without a pair of knitting needles in my hand but the knitting patterns are not inspiring in this book, although there is a little weaving too. I think this book is trying to be too many things to too many people. English readers beware all the yarns and resource section is for American readers only.