SDA Book Club: Nature’s Colorways reviewed by Faith Hagenhofer
May 2, 2025
Nature’s Colorways: Conjuring the Chemistry and Culture of Natural Dyes edited by Linda Ligon and Anne Merrow
Nature’s Colorways appears to be a spin-off (no pun intended) of The Long Thread Podcast, hosted by editors Linda Ligon and Anne Merrow. It offers brief, succinct and inviting views into the dye research and practices of many contemporary experts in the field, each of whom authors one of Nature’s Colorways’ eleven well-illustrated essays. Most of these writers have also been guests on the podcast. Many of the essays contain lists of plants and sometimes basic instructions on products and processes, which are complemented and dependent upon the accompanying photographs. If I were new to plant dyeing, I might try what’s suggested, but as a seasoned dyer, I would caution that the information is mostly only enough to intrigue. In all the instructional parts I also found an acceptance of variables that serves the reader as an invitation. That said, the bibliography leads to longer works by all of these masters, which nicely supplements. Additionally, an experienced plant/natural dyer is likely to find at least one small gem of new information, even if it’s only an excellent definition of terminology, or, as in several essays of an anthropological nature, introductions to the dye practices of other peoples and places.
I am intrigued by the lead essay, The Crutchley Archives, a careful historical analysis of centuries old dye records, conducted by Anita Quye, Dominique Cardon and Jenny Balfour Paul—each a giant in the field of natural dyeing. Through this reading I am reminded to keep better records of my own contemporary practices. It seems like this act of “citizen science” could well be useful in the future, perhaps even in climate change studies.
I am particularly fond of Donna Brown’s piece on implementing the Janice Ford Memorial Dye Garden—a community endeavor in Denver, with the assistance of the Denver Botanical Garden and others. They list the flowers grown, the size (1500 square feet!) and the impressive number of volunteers that work and benefit. While I would have liked to see a few more images of the participants’ works, I am inspired by the story of this community garden.
Alissa Allen’s piece on lichen dyeing is an eye-opening read. To date I have not explored that territory, but after reading this article I’m hooked—at least insofar as I am looking around my natural environment with some new wonder and inspired to explore.
–Faith Hagenhofer
- Publisher: Long Thread Media (buy it here)
- Date: September 2021
- ISBN: 9781735008820
If you’ve read this book, leave a comment and let us know what you think!
Do you have a recommendation for a recent fiber-related book you think should be included in SDA’s Book Club? Email SDA’s Managing Editor, Lauren Sinner, to let her know!
