Works Cited

Belfer, Nancy. Designing in Batik and Tie Dye. Worcester, MA: Davis Publications, 1972. Print.
This book is comprised of both realistic pictures and text. It focuses on three main topics: the history and original uses of the dye, techniques, and contemporary Batik designs/processes.
The book was published in almost four decades ago, so the "contemporary" processes that are mentioned may be slightly different from what they are now. However, I will not be focusing on contemporary processes as much as the old-fashioned techniques of tie-dye. The author, Nancy Belfer, is credible because she is professor of textile design in Buffalo, New York. The research is mainly factual information that is unbiased. In the historical content, the cultures of the people mentioned are respected. The pictures that accompany the text are helpful and provide real-life examples of the provided information.
The source does not directly relate to my topic like Hawaii Dye Plants and Dye Recipes does, yet it provides information about other cultures that often tie-dyed fabrics. This book focuses on the Batik methods. Even though this is the case, this source will be helpful to me because it traces the origins of tie-dye back to the ancient Chinese, Peruvians, Indians, Greek, and Japanese. The fact that all of these people developed their own variations of tie-dying suggests that tie-dying was a tradition that was practical, sustainable, and one that connected people directly to the land. It was universal; the concept was the same but the plants and materials that were used in each culture were specific to their geographical location.

Krohn-Ching, Val. Hawaii Dye Plants and Dye Recipes. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 1980. Print.
This book contains brief information relating to specific dye sources and dye methods used in ancient Hawaii. It is also split into three other sections: natural dye sources, mordanting, and specific dye recipes of plants that are native to Hawaii. Along with background history and simple drawings of these plants, this source guides the reader so that the reader can make his/her own dye fabric.
Hawaii Dye Plants and Dye Recipes was published in 1980; although it is not very recent, the information about old Hawaiian history and specific plants are probably still accurate. The research that is presented in this book is objected. The majority of information consists of facts. The author, Val Frieling Krohn-Ching, is a weaving and textile design artist who has extensive expertise in the subject of plant dying.
This book is extremely helpful for both learning about a brief history of Hawaiian plant dyes and for understanding the necessary steps needed to successfully complete the dyeing process. The historical aspect of this source is a little too general in that it didn't go into full detail about traditional mineral and root sources. However, it has helped me to narrow my topic. I will most likely not use vegetable sources, besides beets, because the Hawaiians used mainly bark, fruits, and roots, and some flowers as their dye sources.

Meilach, Dona Z. Contemporary Batik and Tie-dye; Methods, Inspiration, Dyes,. New York: Crown, 1973. Print.
Contemporary Batik and Tie-dye is a detailed book that outlines old and new Batik and tie-dying techniques. It focuses on very specific methods such as resist processes, designing with wax, tools for other natural effects, the use of color, steps for mixing, and tie-dye and batik designs that are nature-inspired.
This source was published over forty years ago and is reliable because the author, Dona Meilach, is an expert in the topics of urban design, public art, historic preservation, and environmental education. Through multiple historic references to culture and geography, Meilach analyzes almost every aspect of Batik and tie-dye.
The realistic photographs help to depict different forms of tie-dye. The historic information about batik will be helpful because it explains how tradition/methods have spread to the Western world from other cultures such as the Chinese, Germans, and Japanese. Aside from this, I will also read the instructions on how to successfully tie-dye. I will need to note many variables such as the amount of water I add, temperature, length of dying time, etc.