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nyarasha's review against another edition
5.0
Really good overview of how textiles are processed and produced today vs how they could be produced closer to home, more ethically, and using more environmentally sound practices. This book inspired me to look for local fibers and clothes, even though it's still hard to find them.
phoebemurtagh's review against another edition
Had to return to the library! Intending to come back to it when the other reader is finished with it. ;)
crippytay's review against another edition
5.0
So so good. Loved it. Would love a hard copy so I can study it more. I was surprised at the amount of science was included in the stories. It was really technical about genetically modified plants and how harmful they can be. This put into perspective just how big our problems surrounding fiber and fiber production can be. But also gave hope to the movement.
lcgordon's review against another edition
3.75
it's a really interesting book but god the writing style is exhausting to read
honeyjalapeno's review against another edition
5.0
The tone is definitely drier and academic, but I personally don’t mind that. I think it was well researched and written. The work she’s done is good praxis, but the tone isn’t self-congratulatory at all. I was a little worried this was just going to be fear mongering and virtue signaling at first, but it really comes together the deeper you get.
The book is organized so you understand the problems with the current clothing industry, then the following chapters break down alternatives, their different eco-social benefits, and how it’s all interconnected. Not necessarily all in that order, you do have to piece things together for yourself a little bit tbh. There is a method to the madness though.
What was a nice surprise for me was that she acknowledges her privileges and recognizes positions other than her own. It’s a bit subtle, but hearing the way she talks about the issues, people, and options available lets you know she has done a lot of reflection. It’s not necessarily just about heart, but the sociological accuracy she has too. Some reviews described being talked down to, but I felt validation and relief. It’s starts off about her and her work, naturally, but it’s pretty well rounded and grounded!
The book is organized so you understand the problems with the current clothing industry, then the following chapters break down alternatives, their different eco-social benefits, and how it’s all interconnected. Not necessarily all in that order, you do have to piece things together for yourself a little bit tbh. There is a method to the madness though.
What was a nice surprise for me was that she acknowledges her privileges and recognizes positions other than her own. It’s a bit subtle, but hearing the way she talks about the issues, people, and options available lets you know she has done a lot of reflection. It’s not necessarily just about heart, but the sociological accuracy she has too. Some reviews described being talked down to, but I felt validation and relief. It’s starts off about her and her work, naturally, but it’s pretty well rounded and grounded!
erindarlyn's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Fibershed and found it so inspiring. There is so much useful research in this book. It really shines a light on how unsustainable our current clothing industry is, and how recently this change has happened, whilst also encouraging the reader to think differently. It also offers examples of people who are making a difference in their own local communities.
I made the switch to natural fibers a few years ago and started making more of my own clothes with linen and cotton fabrics. I began learning to knit and to spin yarn and sourced some local, raw alpaca fleeces that I have been gradually transforming into wearable items. I have a few things that I have died with natural materials thus far - some pink linen dyed with avocado (I will likely make a dress with it) and some gray linen died with rosemary and tea that I am sewing into an apron now. This book made me want to expand on this practice and focus on having fewer items in my wardrobe, but an overall wardrobe comprised of heirloom-quality, well made pieces that support my local fiber shed as much as possible (without harming the ecology) and that tell a story of connection. It has been a dream of mine for years to grow enough flax one year to process, weave, and turn into a dress. Reading Fibershed has encouraged me in this and shown me that it is possible and there are people doing it! I should say, though, that we don't all have to go to this extreme to make a positive change, and the author does make that clear.
Some people will find the idea of sourcing a wardrobe from their own local fibershed difficult, either because of where they live or because most clothing these days is made overseas. I would encourage such readers to think of their fibershed, then, as being a larger area than the one the author was able to focus on in her experiment. She was living in an agricultural region in an agricultural, multicultural state with a lot of craftspeople and farmers. If you do not, think about expanding that radius for your own experiment. Even if you limited yourself only to items made and produced in your own country, you would still be sourcing from a fibershed much more local than one overseas!
I found myself reading portions of this book aloud to my husband, who has since said that he wants to read the book himself next, and I already sent a copy to a relative who has recently become interested in transitioning their wardrobe to natural fibers. Highly recommend!
I made the switch to natural fibers a few years ago and started making more of my own clothes with linen and cotton fabrics. I began learning to knit and to spin yarn and sourced some local, raw alpaca fleeces that I have been gradually transforming into wearable items. I have a few things that I have died with natural materials thus far - some pink linen dyed with avocado (I will likely make a dress with it) and some gray linen died with rosemary and tea that I am sewing into an apron now. This book made me want to expand on this practice and focus on having fewer items in my wardrobe, but an overall wardrobe comprised of heirloom-quality, well made pieces that support my local fiber shed as much as possible (without harming the ecology) and that tell a story of connection. It has been a dream of mine for years to grow enough flax one year to process, weave, and turn into a dress. Reading Fibershed has encouraged me in this and shown me that it is possible and there are people doing it! I should say, though, that we don't all have to go to this extreme to make a positive change, and the author does make that clear.
Some people will find the idea of sourcing a wardrobe from their own local fibershed difficult, either because of where they live or because most clothing these days is made overseas. I would encourage such readers to think of their fibershed, then, as being a larger area than the one the author was able to focus on in her experiment. She was living in an agricultural region in an agricultural, multicultural state with a lot of craftspeople and farmers. If you do not, think about expanding that radius for your own experiment. Even if you limited yourself only to items made and produced in your own country, you would still be sourcing from a fibershed much more local than one overseas!
I found myself reading portions of this book aloud to my husband, who has since said that he wants to read the book himself next, and I already sent a copy to a relative who has recently become interested in transitioning their wardrobe to natural fibers. Highly recommend!