Where to Learn More — Resources and Community

Natural dyeing and eco printing have a thriving global community of practitioners, researchers, and teachers. Whether you prefer books, online workshops, hands-on courses, or simply a community of fellow dyers, there is a wealth of resources available.

Essential Books

A Dyer’s Garden by Rita Buchanan (1995) is a classic introduction to growing and using dye plants, excellent for the garden-minded beginner. The Art and Science of Natural Dyes by Joy Boutrup and Catherine Ellis (2019) is the most thorough technical reference currently available in English — rigorous, practical, and backed by laboratory testing. Eco Colour by India Flint (2008) is the foundational text for eco printing, still essential reading. Wild Colour by Jenny Dean is a friendly, well-illustrated survey of plant dye sources. A Heritage of Colour by Jenny Balfour-Paul covers the history and culture of natural dyeing beautifully.

Online Resources

The Maiwa Handprints blog and the Botanical Colors website both publish detailed, well-researched technical articles. Wild Fibres (run by Michael Cook in the UK) has extensive plant dye information. The Natural Dye Forum and various groups on social platforms host active communities of dyers sharing results and troubleshooting.

Workshops and Courses

Hands-on workshops — whether a half-day beginner class or a week-long immersive course — accelerate learning enormously. Many local textile guilds run natural dye workshops. In the UK, Fibrecrafts and the Natural Dye Research Association organise regular events. In the US, Maiwa (Canada) and Botanical Colors run in-person and online programmes. In Australia, India Flint and other practitioners offer workshops internationally.

Dye Suppliers

For dye materials, mordants, and specialist equipment, reliable suppliers include Maiwa Handprints (Canada), Botanical Colors (USA), Fibrecrafts (UK), George Weil (UK), and Prochem (UK). When buying indigo, look for either genuine natural indigo (Indigofera tinctoria extract) or pre-reduced indigo crystals suitable for beginners. Most suppliers include guidance notes with their products.

Growing Your Practice

The best way to learn is to dye. Keep a dye journal from the beginning: record the date, the plant, the mordant, the weight of fibre, the temperature, any modifiers used, the result, and a swatch. Over time this journal becomes more valuable than any reference book because it reflects your water, your plants, your conditions. The natural dye world rewards patient, curious observation. Every pot is an experiment, and every result — even an unexpected one — tells you something.