book outline

I thought I would post the draft book outline for Fabric Dyeing 101 so I could get your input. Feel free to read over the contents and make any suggestions you like. I'm working on it now so there's still time to get your requests in.

Fabric Dyeing 101 is a beginner's guide to creating hand-dyed cotton fabrics at home using Procion MX dyes. The clear, simple instructions will teach you how to dye fabrics in a frugal and environmentally-responsible manner.

This book will be available as a downloadable e-book including both written how-to's with lots of recipes, tips and tricks, and instructional videos.

eBook Outline

Fabric Dyeing 101 for Beginners
Simple instructions for creating hand-dyed cotton fabrics with Procion MX dyes

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Fabric Dyeing 101 Instructions
Getting Ready
Quick start for impatient people
Introduction – why I didn’t want to write this book
Overview: how fabric dyeing works
Factors affecting the outcome of your dyeing
Health and safety concerns with Procion MX dyes
Supply list: what you will need to dye fabrics
Which cotton fabrics dye best
Supply sources and resources
Where to buy dyes, dye fabric, and supplies
Fabric dyeing discussion groups
Recommended web sites
Recommended books
Getting ready to dye fabric
Fabric preparation
Cut or rip the fabric?
Work area setup
Prepare the dye concentrates
Mix the dye solutions

Dyeing the fabric
Combine the fabric with the dye solutions
How to get mottled colours
How to get solid colours

The final steps
Curing the fabric
Rinsing the excess dyes out of the fabric
Washing, drying, and ironing the rinsed fabric
Washfast note- will the dyes run?

Branching out: more ideas for creating amazing fabrics
Sky painting
Easy batik-like fabrics without the use of wax
Shaving foam dye painting
Shibori and tie dye techniques
Organize your chaos: More ideas for experimenting with fabric dyes

Recipes for fabric dyeing
Dye the quantity you want (1/8, ¼, ½, 1 yard or more)
Rainbows, neutrals, gradations, two and three colour blends, browns, skin tones….

Help! Now what do I do?
How to remove fabric dye from your skin
I made a mistake: now what do I do? From disaster to delight. It can be done.

References
Equivalent measures
Glossary of terms
How to adapt the fabric dyeing recipes for different sizes of fabric
Frequently asked questions

2. Tales from a hand-dye veteran: the story of my hand-dyed fabric business

3. Advice for running a home-based art or craft business

4. Instructional videos for those of you who learn best by seeing instructions

Changes are coming! - Fall 2009

I'm currently working on an entirely new and improved Fabric Dyeing 101, including online instructional videos and basic written instructions covering all the basics of creating beautiful, hand-dyed cotton fabrics at home with Procion MX dyes.

A downloadable e-book will also be offered.

If you have any requests for topics you'd like covered in the book (there is still time), feel free to send me an email or leave a comment below.

If you would like notice when the new site is ready, use the RSS feed button on the left with the notifier of your choice.

Your comments and suggestions are most welcome.