Who's in the mood to win one of the most gorgeous books of the year filled with how to dye silk, wool, linen & cotton at home accompanied by 20 fabulous project patterns -plus your very own natural dye kit to make your own? Such a great prize! Yay! The Modern Natural Dyer is gorgeous, informative and a must have for any person with a love for textiles & fiber who's curious about dyeing!
The Modern Natural Dyer by Kristine Vejar, published by STC Craft / An imprint of Abrams.
"...expert Kristine Vejar shares the most user-friendly techniques for dyeing at home with foraged and garden-raised dyestuffs as well as with natural dye extracts."
The The Modern Natural Dyer: A Comprehensive Guide to Dyeing Silk, Wool, Linen, and Cotton at Home is written by the talented Kristine Vejar, of the fabulous shop (online + brick & mortar) A Verb for Keeping Warm. Kristine started A Verb for Keeping Warm in 2007 and it has been a home base for Kristine’s explorations into natural dyeing. Located in Oakland, California, it is the home of The Modern Natural Dyer - "as this is where Kristine has conducted all of her research for this book".
In the book Kristine demystifies and explains in "expect, easy-to-follow detail how to produce consistent, long-lasting color". The book features stunning photography by Sara Remington of the dye process, the dyes themselves and 20 projects for your wardrobe and home! The Modern Natural Dyer is truly a wonderful resource for both aspiring and experience dye artisans!
Along with my book I also received a Northwoods Hat Kit to make and let me tell you - I'm a sucker for pretty packaging. I loved how pretty this kit came and honestly it was just as pretty in the inside! True to the AVKW aesthetic and branding the kits are just as gorgeous as the shop and book!
Each kit comes with all the supplies and ingredients needed to make the kit. Using your book's project instructions you can dye and make the project for your kit! So fun!!! I can't wait to jump in and make it! I picked the color red for my kit! I think the kits are such a great accompaniment to the book and help the reader take the skills they learned in the book one step further and actually make one with ease with the supplies provided!
THE MODERN NATURAL DYER includes the following:
DYES FROM NATURE
Properties of dye materials, the history of natural dyeing, why use natural dyes and a catalog of color. Kristine showcases the accessible & easy-to-use dyes featured or suggested as alternatives in this book.
Each photo shows "the source of the dye and includes fabric and yarn samples to demonstrate the range of colours that can be achieved." This truly is one of my favourite parts of the book. It's beyond beautiful and laid out so nicely.
CHOOSING FIBER
How fibers differ - explores Protein-Based Fibers (such as alpaca, silk, cashmere, sheep's wool, etc.) and also Cellulose-Based Fibers (such as bamboo, linen, cotton, etc.) in detail and how the difference between the two types of fiber affect the dyeing process.
DYEING 101
Steps in the dyeing process, setting up a workspace, tools, organizing a dye journal for project planning as well as in-depth section on the following: Step 1: Weighing and Preparation, Step 2: Scouring, Step 3: Mordanting, Step 4: Dyeing, Step 5: Washing
DYEING WITH WHOLE DYESTUFFS
Extracting colours from whole dyestuffs, mindful gathering, Mama's Little Teacup Onesie, Flowers at my Fingertips Sewing Kit, Field and Forest Dress, and Firecracker Slip.
DYEING WITH EXTRACTS
Shade Card for protein-based fibers, Shade Card for cellulose-based fibers, using the shade cards, optional shade card conversion charts. The Shade Cards in the book and conversation charts are awesome and I really loved that she included these in the book!
This section also includes the Northwoods Hat, Wanderlust Bags, Sandstone Shawl, Berry Patch Necklace, Sock Hop! Cotton Socks, Iron Age Tank and Gilded Cardigan, Alfresco Table Linens and Confetti Cowl.
DYEING WITH INDIGO
Fibers and Indigo Dyeing, steps in the Indigo-Dyeing process, avoiding crocking, recalibrating the indigo VAT, alternate method for dyeing with indigo, as well as the Blue Skies Tote, Indigo Wedge Cardigan, and Northern Lights Scarf.
SURFACE DESIGN
Windswept Top, Waves Bandana, Beach House Pillow, Fishbone Dress, and Snapshot Quilt.
And yes, The Modern Natural Dyer does indeed include all of the above and more! I know right!!! So much wonderful and helpful information! Kristine truly does take you through the whole process and educates and guides you effortlessly!
THE PROJECT KITS!
Along with a copy of The Modern Natural Dyer you can also win your choice of 1 of the 4 Project Kits shown below! These kits are beautifully packaged and contain all you need to make that project! You can view them all HERE as well.
NORTHWOODS HAT KIT
Inside this kit:
- One skein of undyed Quince and Co Puffin yarn (100g)
- Scour
- Mordant
- Dye (madder, weld, or logwood purple)
- Whisk
- Gloves
FLOWERS AT MY FINGERTIPS KIT
Inside this kit:
- Wool fabric + cotton fabric (approx. 150g)
- Scour
- Mordant
- Flower seed packet
- Button + craft thread
- Branch
- Gloves
WAVES BANDANA INDIGO KIT
Inside this kit:
- Two white bandanas (approx. 72g)
- Scour
- Indigo
- All agents to create an indigo vat
- pH strips
- Whisk
- Gloves
- Button + craft thread
SOCK HOP KIT
Inside this kit:
- One pair of white organic cotton socks (approx. 64g)
- Scour
- Mordant
- Wheat bran
- Dye (madder, weld, or cochineal)
- Whisk
- Gloves
The Modern Natural Dyer and the series of natural dyeing kits which accompany the book - are all available through the A Verb for Keeping Warm website.
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN!
Simply enter using the Rafflectopter Widget! Giveaway open to US and Canadian residents only. Giveaway ends on 11/10, midnight, PST.
DON'T MISS THE REST OF THE TOUR!
- Oct 20 STC Craft
- Oct 23 DIY Network
- Oct 26 Mason Dixon Knitting
- Oct 28 Leethal
- Oct 30 Mary Jane Mucklestone
- Nov 2 Very Shannon
- Nov 4 Make Something Blog
- Nov 9 Heather Ross
- Nov 11 Tolt Yarn and Wool
- Nov 16 Made by Katrina
- Nov 18 Ysolda Teague
- Nov 20 Jen Hewett
Good luck and I hope you all enjoy The Modern Natural Dyer! I know mine will be a much treasured addition to my home! I can't wait to dig in and get dyeing.
A big thank you to Kristine Vejar (and STC Craft) for having me along on her tour, and for her endless inspiration and dedication to the wonderful craft of making! Congratulations on creating a book as beautiful & inspiring as you are!