Color by Accident: Low-Water Immersion Dyeing

I purchased both of Ann Johnston's books, Color by Accident and Color by Design (2017 version). I'm returning Color by Accident because I found that the info was a bit outdated. The whole book focuses only on one method, the Low-Water Immersion method and the majority of the book is just color recipes. Color by Design, on the other hand, is much more informative and better organized, covers many methods, and also includes all of the important info from Color by Accident, including the Low Water Immersion method. I feel like I'm losing nothing by returning this book and keeping only Color by Design.

I actually purchased this book a few years ago and have dyed many things using Ann Johnston's techniques. I'm not a quilter, and really don't have any interest in dyeing quilting fabric, but I've dyed many of my tee shirts, as well as other clothing, with really wonderful results. I've also dyed burlap and some really pretty curtain fabrics. These don't really look "tie dyed" as in bright and bold (think Grateful Dead tee shirts). Using more subtle colors, the patterns are quite stunning. However, I don't know where my book is. Sob...I really wanted to do some dyeing with a friend and have scoured the house looking for my original copy to no avail. Found one on Amazon at a relatively decent price, and while it is used (whomever owned it, some of your notes are very helpful, thanks!), there is not as much dye on it as was on mine. I'm extremely pleased that I own this book again, and maybe I'll find my original copy in some strange and very well hidden place, and I'll have a back-up copy!

This is one of those books that you buy, read forty-five times, and then purchase copies to give to all of your hand-dyer friends. So much information and so many greatt tips and tricks to maximise your dyeing experiences and results. I highly recommend this resource to all dyers, both beginner and advanced...you'll learn how to create consistent results, longer-lasting dyes, and really interesting colour shifts. If you only have money for one dyeing book, get this one!

I've bought this book twice. The first time I read it and made a ton of notes, but never got around to dyeing any fabric. I gave the book away to someone who did dye fabric. You know how that goes when you give something away you think you will never use. Less than a year later I decided to try fabric dyeing and bought this book again. I have dyed many yards of beautiful colors and found inspiration to do my own experiments. I think some of the criticism in other reviews comes from the fact that people are looking for hard-and-fast reproducible results, whereas I took this book as more of a jumping off point for my own experiments.

This hard-bound small book with inside spiral binding lays flat on the counter for quick reference. I read it cover to cover and used several techniques to create my own hand dyed fabric using Dharma powdered dyes, Soda Ash, Retain, Synthropol, breathing mask, bottles, (and extender for painting which isn't in this book) all purchased on line through Dharma Trading. I loved the effects of dying in layers with staged steps in a single container for gradated values. There are so many ideas that I need to buy more fabric. Dying is so much easier than I thought it would be. It was also helpful to take Sharon Schamber's dying class and fabric painting class at Quilt Camp in the Pines, Flagstaff, AZ. In the comforts of home I was able to mix dyes and wash fabrics one day, then dye the next which made it so much easier. I stored the liquid dye concentrate bottles in a bag in the refrigerator and did more dying using another technique two days later. Fun book, great results. Vicki

In the past three years I have purchased and tried out the method of every fabric dyer I could find but this one by Ann Johnson. I have dyed inin canning jars and plastic bags; with ice, and snow, and or hot water; with no salt or so much salt that where I poured the excess dye on my grass nothing will ever grow there in my life time!!I stumbled around for three years and have a box of dyed fabric but never understood how I arrived at any of it and certainly could never have reproduced any of it had I wanted to.Recently I was looking over the paper work that came with my recent fabric dye order and there in the right-hand corner I read, " for more information read Ann Johnson's book "Color by Accident" as plain as can be.I ordered the book, and love it. It is a small text book full of clear explanations of the fabric dyeing process for beginners. It is also a a great review for experienced fabric dyers. Now I understand how low immersion fabric dyeing in my garage works and what I can expect to happen.I am much more comfortable with the process; it is a lot more fun; and I can't wait until I can carve time out of my busy schedule to dye more fabric.

I appreciate Ann Johnston's collection of information for beginning dyers, but an updated edition that wasn't quite so dryly written and more photos would be nice.

Just a cookbook, and uses Procion dyes that are used mostly on plant fibers. For silk/wool and acid dyes not so good.

No complaints. Arrived very quickly.

Very clear and comprehensive instructions.

Compliment für die schnelle Lieferung. Das Buch war ein Weihnachtsgeschenkt, es war sehr gut verpackt und in guter Kwalitet. Meine Tochter hat sich sehr gefreut. Ich kaufe gerne bei Ihnen ein denn ich habe mit Ihnen und ihrer Ware immer die besten Ervarungen gemacht. Vielen Dank. Alles gute für Sie und Ihre Mitarbeiter und die herzlichen Grüsse Evelyn