Lifestyle Book Reviews

Surface Designer's Handbook

By Sandy Amazeen Oct 15, 2006, 21:05 GMT

Brackmann draws upon her 30 years experience as a weaving and dyeing instructor to write what might be considered the definitive guide to applying color to fabric using dye materials, paints, printing and resist techniques.

What sets this volume above the rest is the wealth of useful background information laid out in cookbook fashion. This is for the serious fiber artist who wishes to expand their knowledge and create exceptional textile works.

Beginning with proper measuring, record keeping, dyestuff disposal and maintaining a safe working environment, Brackmann then moves on to dyeing fabrics and fibers. This comprehensive text provides an in-depth exploration into fiber-reactive, acid, vat, disperse and discharge techniques along with their applications. Learn how to take advantage of the sun, create pastes and stock solutions, work with indigo and inkodye and which fibers work best with each process and much, much more.

A wealth of handy, easy to read charts cover everything from the different dye materials, fibers, brand names, pros/cons and colorfastness to burn tests. Particularly helpful are the sample calculations that provide templates to assist in formulating effective dye baths based on weight and the many hints shown in colored bars. Safety tips and considerations are spelled out, an important consideration when working with fine powders and acids.

Surface applications including screen-printing, monoprinting, stamping, stencils, resists, burnouts, textile paints, stitched embellishments are given the same detailed explanations. Excellent examples of each technique are liberally sprinkled throughout providing plenty of inspiring eye candy.

The appendices feature a sample worksheet, prepping fabric for dyeing, washing, steaming, calculating assorted solutions and the ever-handy weights/measures in US and metric.

From start to finish this is a user friendly, informative guide to a host of surface treatments that although written mostly for quilters, fabric and clothing designers has equal appeal to anyone interested in dyeing their own yarns.