Magic Dyeing Made Easy by Helen Deighan

Magic Dyeing Made Easy by Helen Deighan On a trip to England in June 2003 I went to the National Quilting Championships at Sandown Race Course in Esher, Surrey. There I met many interesting people including Helen Deighan who was teaching workshops during the show. Her booth was very colourful, filled with her hand dyed fabrics, bright baskets and japanese braids. In amongst all this finery was her newly published book on more ideas on hand dyeing and using the resulting fabrics.

Always attracted by information on dyeing I quickly skimmed through and was immediately struck with several techniques and projects not known to me previously. Well, you know the rest of the story. Now I am the proud owner of a signed copy of Helen's book.

Helen has also written another book - Dyeing in Plastic Bags. So she is an old hand at this publishing business although she writes in the introduction that both of her books were written as a result of breaking her arm. As she says “I hope this doesn't mean that each time I want to publish, I must first inflict some injury on myself.” With you there Helen!

The book is in a spiral bound style which is useful as it will lay open while one is working. It is in two sections. The first is How and the second, What.

How, consists of seven Chapters:

Basic Requirement
Dyeing in a bag
Muted Colours
Tie-and-dye techniques
Dyeing large pieces
Dyeing silk
Other colours

There are easy to follow instructions, photos and delightful illustrations by Toni Gaffe (mostly involving a cat!)

Japanese braid from Magic Dyeing Made Easy by Helen Deighan I bought the book, not only because I liked it and Helen but because there were some techniques I had not heard of and thought rather sharp. We have learned to use less and less water with our hand dyeing projects but there are several ideas here that require even less than less. Perfect for classes - not so much sloppy stuff. Also some notes on how dye is resisted which were extremely useful.

What, consists of 4 chapters:

• Fabric coil pots

• Making braids

• Enhanced background quilt

• Colour-wheel quilt

Plus a list of suppliers, book list and the information that can be found on Helen's website.

Fabric coil pot from Magic Dyeing Made Easy by Helen Deighan The chapter on the fabric coil pots was the first thing I flipped to. They were so pretty scattered all over Helen's booth that I wanted to see how these eye-catching baskets were made. Very easily it appears, and what a terrific use for hand dyed fabric or any type of suitable fabric. Obviously another one of those addictive pastimes that could get out of hand.

Another tool to play with, a Japanese braid maker or a Marudai. This chapter also includes details on hand dyeing threads and yarns and will appeal to those of us who are embellishing our work with experimental couching etc.

Altogether a book that I am very glad to have in my library and will be thumbing through often.

You can purchase this book through Amazon.com. It is in a paperback version. Or you can get it directly through Helen's website (see link below).

Published by Crossways Patch, Surrey, England
Illustrations by © Toni Goffe
Photography by Philip Chambers
Designed by Janet McCallum
Edited by Thérèse Tobin
£12.95 directly through Helen's website.

Helen Deighan's website is Crossways Patch - www.crosswayspatch.co.uk

Rose Rushbrooke
Artist