Book Review: Harvesting Color by Rebecca Burgess

Review by Meara O’Reilly

I recently experimented with using the oxalis plant (more commonly known as the weed sourgrass) to dye some towels a bright yellow. It was such an easy and rewarding process, I wanted to look around and see what other colors might be within reach! This book has been a wonderful place to start. Author Burgess does a great job explaining the nuts and bolts of the dying process, as well as the various properties of different plants that otherwise do the job of industrial dyeing chemicals. It’s as much an exercise in chemistry and biology as it is a craft and cultural practice. Each plant and its corresponding color are beautifully presented with a map of its territory and season. Start hunting!

This review is from the pages of MAKE Volume 31:

“Punk scientists” are making inexpensive new tools to conduct real experiments anywhere and everywhere. Check it out in MAKE Volume 31!

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