Kerstin NeumÜller – Contemporary Embroidery & Textile Art Inspiration

Indigo - cultivate, dye, create, written by Kerstin Neumüller and Douglas Luthanko Introduction As the title suggests, this book is all about....yes, Indigo. We may have all heard of it and recently it has become somewhat fashionable. Yet is this luxe hardback a fad or a practical companion? Authors Neumuller, a tailor and Luthanko, who has a keen interest in indigo and denim, bring together a marriage of knowledge. Who’s the book for? We would deem that some interest in dyeing is necessary. It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or more experienced, you simply need to have the desire to get your hands colourful....lets mix it a little further.... Content This is no surface publication. A vested interest in the subject matter in necessary to sustain your interest, as there are many word filled pages, full of real dyeing knowledge.... What plants to grow to produce dye? Unusual questions surface, ones we may never have thought of. How 'dye' inclined is our own green patch? For the keen learner, this is a blessing. If you love to do everything from scratch, then this is your manual. You will learn how to grow your own dyes, how to use them and then what to do with the material you produce. What makes it special? Although it has been written with in depth explanations on the dyeing process, it is understandable. At no point did we feel confused or get exasperated when reading. The writers have managed to make a somewhat large subject seem achievable, this conveys that the methods have been trialled first hand. This publication becomes more than just a skill book, its a life style, which is partly conveyed in imagery, as in the example above. We also loved the flow, we are never left wondering what to do. Suggestions are ladled in copious doses, ranging from basic stitch instructions to creating quilts. Blue envy...what shade will yours come out? In the modern age we find conservation to be highlighted. Neumüller and Luthanko demonstrate this within this technique area. Photography No, this is not a publication laden with images. Yet the ones provided count and a lack is not observed on reading. The imagery is 'real' but staged beautifully. Coloured hands are a given, making this a book we can connect with. Naked materials, even the undyed samples are given space to form beauty in their own right. Anything wrong with the book? An interest in dyeing is needed, or this one may go over your head. As mentioned, it is not simply a 'picture book'. Conclusion Indigo dyeing has become popular recently. The need to slow down in our lives, means that many of us now focus on 'Slow Craft' and this method lends itself to this genre. Far from being the afore mentioned passing 'fad', this is a technique which will stand up to age. There may be a few books now on the market with similar titles, however this one feels comfortable. The experience of its writers pushes through its pages, making for an educational, yet lively read. Begin your story with Indigo today, purchase your copy right here.