Guest Author - Pegg Thomas

Deb Menz has done a great service to the fiber arts community by writing this book and the good folks at Interweave Press have packaged it beautifully. As usual with books from Interweave Press, the illustrations are clear and helpful, the photographs are colorful and instructive, and the large notebook size makes it easy to lay open and have on hand when you need it.

This book is not a quick read that you pick up to pass the time. This is a well written textbook on color and fibers. Even if you never do any of the exercises Deb suggests in the book, if you’re one who purchases rather than prepares fibers, you will learn about colors and combinations and make better choices in your future purchases. The clear, understandable explanation of color theory is worth the price of this book alone.

Aside from the step by step explanation about colors and combinations, what will work and what will work better, Deb also walks us through the basics of dyeing, drum carding, combing, spinning and plying. Her chapters on drum carding are so well illustrated and explained that a first timer will have no problem following along. And many of us who have been drum carding for years can learn a few new tricks.

Deb explains using Sabraset brand dyes, but the principles she explains can be used with other name brands. She goes through a very thorough explanation of how to safely use acid dyes. Both immersion dyeing and painting rovings are explained. Again, this is suitable for a first timer but with plenty of meat for the experienced dyer.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in working more with colors in their projects. It certainly opened my eyes to an aspect of fiber arts that I have been taking for granted. Below is a handy link to Amazon.com for those interested in a copy of this book



You can click on and read my interview with Deb Menz here.