#buy hemp fabric

[binch-i-might-be]

living with a man is the worst thing that can happen to a girl

[brandkolab]

online fabric shopping

[reepeat1]

Purchase Now - Veena Natural Dyed Hemp Fabric Trouser: Reepeat

Introducing the Veena Natural Dyed Hemp Fabric Trouser by Reepeat! These trousers are designed for both comfort and style. Made from soft and breathable Kalacotton, you can wear them all day long without feeling uncomfortable. The comfortable fit ensures that you can move freely without feeling restricted. The trousers are dyed with natural dyes, making them eco-friendly and sustainable. Available in sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL, and XXXL, these trousers are perfect for any body type. Whether you're running errands or attending a meeting, these trousers will keep you comfortable and looking great. So, purchase now and experience the perfect blend of style and comfort with the Veena Natural Dyed Hemp Fabric Trouser by Reepeat!

[vastnez5]

The Effects of Fast Fashion on Ethics & The Environment

How does fast fashion impact our world?

Fast fashion might make trends affordable, but its impact on the planet and on workers is steep. Let’s take a closer look at what’s really happening behind the scenes.

Fast fashion gives us trendy, cheap clothing—but at what cost? Behind the low prices are underpaid workers, poor working conditions, and environmental destruction. By supporting fast fashion, we’re contributing to waste, pollution, and unethical labor practices. But the good news?

We can make a difference.

I give you a challenge, Try to reduce that number even by one if you can. Even just $20 can add up quickly each month.

SCRIPT

Now how do we avoid this? Fast fashion has become a global issue, fueling overconsumption and harming the environment. In A Conscious Shift, Christine Nzinga Blake and Yesha Callahan emphasize how our shopping habits drive unsustainable practices. But we can make a difference by changing how we purchase clothes. First, prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of buying multiple trendy pieces, invest in timeless, durable clothing that lasts longer and reduces waste. Second, embrace alternatives like clothing swaps or renting. These options let you refresh your wardrobe without buying new items, which is a simple way to reduce demand for fast fashion. Third, get creative with what you already have. Restyling or altering older clothes can give them new life while helping the planet and your wallet. As A Conscious Shift explains, even small changes in how we shop can have a big impact. Let’s take steps toward thoughtful, sustainable fashion choices that protect the planet for future generations.

CBS News provides an informative video on the environmental effect of fast fashion.

"Three-fifths of all garments end up in landfill within a year of being produced."

This statistic from Anastasia Denisova, a researcher and writer focused on fashion media, sustainability, and ethical consumption, on page 6, is a sobering reminder of the impact of fast fashion on the environment.

3 BRANDS AND THEIR ISSUES

H&M

H&M has made a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but this has gone nowhere.

Their business model is unsustainable and unethical.

The majority of materials used are unsustainable and not eco-friendly.

ZARA

Zara's shop network, which spans across over 96 countries, requires a lot of resources to build, transport, and operate.

They exploit workers, to pump out a ton of low cost clothing for little-to-no pay.

Zara's reliance on cheap clothing for large profit has caused the use of petroleum-based fabric such as polyester, that can harm the environment immensely when discarded in large amounts.

SHEIN

With such low prices comes a cost, horribly treated workers.

Having things such as microtrends causes people to purchase clothing and throw it out after one use.

The products are low-quality and contribute to carbon emissions.

ALTERNATIVES TO THESE BRANDS

Afends: XS-XL This brand has purchased acres of farmland to grow hemp plants.

337 BRAND: XS-L This brand makes clothing from low-impact materials.

CHNGE: 2XS-4XL This all-inclusive brand uses 100% organic material.

Honest Basics: XS-2XL This brand keeps prices low while having sustainable products built to last.

MUD Jeans: W25 L30-W33 L32 for women and W28 L34-W36 L34 for men. This brand offers a repair service for their jeans, and also uses organic and recycled cotton.

Yes And: XS-XL This brand uses non-toxic dyes and lower impact materials.

When you spend a little bit more on sustainable clothing from companies that treat their workers properly and pay them a livable wage you feel good, and you are contributing to a good cause while your clothes last longer as well.

While it’s true that fast fashion provides affordable clothing and creates jobs, we must ask: at what cost?

The exploitation of workers, including paying wages far below a living standard, cannot be justified by low prices.

Addressing these issues requires holding brands accountable and choosing alternatives that prioritize ethical treatment and fair pay for workers worldwide 

The fashion industry shows how important consumer habits have on the world around us. Every purchase shows the never-end cycle of fast fashion. As Lindsey Reid, a contributor to the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Human Rights Blog, notes, "Fast fashion thrives on overconsumption and a disregard for ethical responsibility," asking us to consider the consumer role in this cycle. Turning to secondhand fashion stores, supporting brands that are ethical, or even simply thinking about our choices on what we buy can make a lasting change for the planet and the people. While critics, including people who own these industries and some consumers argue that fast fashion is an affordable solution to those with low income, we must think about the hidden costs on the environment and the workers. While some may say that low-cost clothing is essential for many, Alexandra Wolff a sustainability advocate who writes about the fashion industry, notes in her article “Zara and Sustainability: The High Cost of Low Prices,” "Low prices come at a high cost, with workers in exploitative conditions and the planet paying the ultimate price.” Finding alternatives such as thrifting long lasting clothing is affordable and ethical. Sustainable fashion isn't out of reach, it's a path to a better future.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO INSTEAD

Shop second-hand 

Support sustainable brands

Reduce your waste 

Is your mind blown?

WORKS CITED

Assoune, Alex. “The Truth about Workers Conditions in Fast Fashion.” Panaprium, Panaprium, 27 Oct. 2021, www.panaprium.com/blogs/i/fast-fashion-workers-conditions.

Bick, Rachel, et al. “The Global Environmental Injustice of Fast Fashion.” Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source, vol. 17, no. 1, Dec. 2018, p. N.PAG. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.1186/s12940-018-0433-7.

Blake, Nzinga Christine, and Yesha Callahan. “A Conscious Shift.” Essence, vol. 50, no. 4, Sept. 2019, pp. 84–86. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=138076754&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Denisova, Anastasia. “Fashion Media and Sustainability: Encouraging Ethical Consumption via Journalism and Influencers” 2021, Directory of Open Access Books, https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/53515/9781912656912.pdf;jsessionid=7308ECEDA63438C4CB0EB5DC0182A61A?sequence=1.

Denton, Allison. “The Cost of Looking Good: How Fashion and Trend-Based Consumerism Impact the Economy, Law, and Environment.” Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, vol. 30, no. 2, July 2023, pp. 363–89. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=174865933&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Hackett, Lisa J. “Addressing Rage: The Fast Fashion Revolt.” M/C Journal, vol. 22, no. 1, Mar. 2019, p. N.PAG. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.5204/mcj.1496.

Joy, Annamma, et al. “Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and the Ethical Appeal of Luxury Brands.” Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2012, pp. 273–95. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.2752/175174112X13340749707123.

McCosker, Jaclyn. “The Impact of Fast Fashion on Garment Workers.” Good On You, 28 Feb. 2024, goodonyou.eco/impact-fast-fashion-garment-workers/.

News, CBS. “The Environmental Cost of Fast Fashion.” YouTube, 28 Apr. 2022, youtu.be/H2bxO-PgcT0?si=XzJVgM0pxpPNstkS.

Nguyen, Lei. “The Danger of Sweatshops.” Earth.Org, Earth.Org, 4 Mar. 2024, earth.org/sweatshops/.

Reid, Lindsey. “Fast-Fashion: Unethical and Unsustainable.” UAB Institute for Human Rights Blog, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 22 Jan. 2020, sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2018/04/26/fast-fashion-unethical-and-unsustainable/.

Robertson, Lara. “How Ethical Is H&M?” Good On You, 30 Sept. 2024, goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-hm/.

Schoenherr, Neil. “How Fast Fashion Hurts Environment, Workers, Society.” The Source, WashU, 11 Nov. 2020, source.washu.edu/2019/01/how-fast-fashion-hurts-environment-workers-society/#:~:text=Approximately%2085%20percent%20of%20the,pounds%20per%20American%20per%20year.

Smalling, Sydney. “The Rise of Fast Fashion and The Lack of Protections in the Garment Worker Industry.” SMU Dedman School of Law, International Law Review Association, 2022, www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Law/students/law-journals/Fall-2022-Case-Notes/Smalling_2022-Case-Note-Final.pdf.

Wolff, Alexandra. “Zara and Sustainability: The High Cost of Low Prices.” FG Conscious Fashion, FG Conscious Fashion, 8 Aug. 2024, thefashionglobe.com/zara-can-never-be-sustainable/.

[positivemotivation]

Are you looking to shop more sustainably? One way is to buy clothing that has natural fibers. Plastics in clothing is one of the main contributors to microplastics. So what to look for?

Polyester, elastin, and poly-blends are all plastic based fibers. Similarly, if you buy wool avoid Angelina. That's just Easter grass mixed in to give shimmer.

More sustainable fabrics are: cotton, linen, wool, cashmere, leather, rayon and hemp. Bamboo is a more sustainable rayon than other types. Some leathers have a lot of toxic chemicals in the processing but leather lasts and you'll produce less waste overall.

Avoid vegan leather. Unless it's mushroom based, that's just plastic. Get cotton shoes like converse.

It may cost a little more, but it's worth it for yourself and the planet.

[shortiecos]

Eco friendly cosplay (Save the environment and your wallet)

Before I begin this post, I want to aknowledge that yes, changes made by individual people  won't do much to save the planet in the long run, and yes we should really hold those big corporations that singlehandedly cause 70% of emission accountable. However, that doesn't mean that we can just go around using products that harm the environment all willy-nilly, and we should do our best to keep our impact to a minimum. The same goes for us cosplayers. I know cosplay is a fun hobby. Some of us use it to escape reality, other to find gender euphoria in it, some people just like to act and this is their way of showing that talent.  But we can't deny that our hobby causes a lot of environmental stress, and we routinely use materials from highly environmentally damaging industries. Let's have a look Fabric we use is often synthetic. It's  made from petrochemicals. EVA foam and thermoplastics are oil byproducts as well. And after that intense, environment-damaging process, most of us only wear the cosplay a few times, before we move on to the next big thing.. How can we change things, while keeping the hobby fun and affordable?

 Shop in your own closet first. Many character actually just wear casual clothes that any random person can own. Check to see if you maybe already do. 

You don't? Oh well. I assume you got a family and/or friends. Check their closet! After that? Thrift thrift thrift! There are so many hidden gems in thriftstores. Altering clothes is also a great way to start your sewing journey. And even if you don't find the clothing item or prop you're looking for, maybe you'll find something else that's useful. Like a leather jacket that yo can use to make those leather accesoires! 

Don't make a new costume for every event. Make a handful that you love, aand wear those to the ground. It'll save you in money and materials, and you will also experience less stress, concrucnhing to try and finish your cosplay in time. I'm not saying you can never make a new cosplay, just do it less impulsively.

 See which parts of your cosplay you can recycle. Maybe you can modefy that one skirt, or paint over the gun you made? See if you can make it work for your next character.

Does everything NEED to be perfect? I know you want to be as accurate as possible. But do you have to reprint that 3D printed sword twice just because it was slightly off? Or do you need to recast that gem in resin 20 times just to get it perfect?  No you don't Do you NEED to make a mock-up dress? I know the materials are expensive, and you don't want to waste any, but what are you doing with the mock-up materials after? 

Continuing from #3, take a look at your fabrics. The entire textile industry is a mess. It's polluting, and often poorly regulated. And not just the synthethic  ones. Even natural fabrics can be bad.  Leather tanneries are awful, and cotton is one of the most chemically intensive crops in the world (still both better than synthetic counterparts) Try hemp, linen, or wool instead of cotton.

Find alternatives for your props. They don't have to be EVA foam and plastic. There are many substitutes. Cardboard, paper mache, recycled wood. Hell, even hotglue instead of resin. Or use things  you already own. Old water bottles can be a great base for sci-fi gubs for example. Be creative! 

Make things work for multiple costumes. An old example that I once used on my instagram: @pretzlcosplay took her Gnar dress and corset, made some new accesories, and poof!: a Cubone cosplay!

Don';t buy a wig for every new cosplay. Ok so this one is common sense I think, and I don't think anyone does this but I had to put it here anyway. That one black wig you own? It;s Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Kirito, Kageyama, Levi Ackerman,  Rin Okumura, and on you go. The same goes for most unnaturally colored wigs. Just look up a few youtube tutorials on wigstyling, and that one wig can be a hundred different characters.

 Buy secondhand cosplays. Loads of cosplayer sell their old cosplays, sometimes even including the wig. You can look on instagram, usually people have story highlights for things they're selling, but facebook is a great way to start too. They got loads of swap/sell groups for cosplayers. Sometimes there are even event son cosn where you can swap cosplays.

If you're a frequent crafter (whatever the reason) try to buy things in bulk. Not only will this reduce your cost over time and decrease packaging waste, but if you often order materials online, this will also reduce your environmental impact as you'll contribute to fewer emissions that come with shipping. 

 Buy samples Buying samples is a great way to know for certain whether the material is the right colour, has the right feel, the right texture, etc.  without having to do a full buy of the material. Same goes for wigs. Most wigsites have colour rings you can order, giving you a small sample of each available colour.

Keep your scraps Maybe you'll find use for them in a future project. Or maybe you can trade with friends. Save your scraps if you're a big DIYer

14. If you have the money, buy the eco friendly version. Technology has come a long way, and we have great substitues for most things. However, these are often more costly then the old (plastic) version. If you have the extra money to spare, please do buy the eco friendly alternative, like the eco friendly fillament for your 3D printer.

[acti-veg]

Hello, I wanted to ask you what you know about the ethics of buying wool second-hand. I live in a very cold area and for now I've been wearing clothes I owned pre-veganism 8 years ago and buying second hand synthetics (cotton and linen and things like that aren't wearable in extreme cold), but many synthetics don't feel good to wear and my old wool jumpers are getting very dilapidated. I've thought of buying wool from a second hand store, but I know second-hand leather still sometimes fuels the leather industry so I wanted to ask if you know if a similar effect is going on with second-hand wool. I would rather be sweaty in second-hand synthetics than support animal torture in any way, so I'd like to know the un-sugarcoated truth. Thank you very much, love the blog!

There are good thermal options that are synthetic, Sea Shephard for example often operate in the most extreme cold and they wear recycled plastics and hemp, though I’d need to know where you live to recommend specific stores and brands. Most professional thermal clothing in general is synthetic. Those do tend to be expensive though, but so is any good thermal wear, but they’re high quality and will last a long time.

Failing that, second hand is always more sustainable than any material bought new. There is the argument that buying and wearing animal fibres could sort of ‘advertise’ the use of those fabrics, and people seeing them used worn won’t won’t appreciate that they’re second hand, but in most cases I don’t think wool will be distinguishable from synthetics.

Just do what you can anon; if you can get synthetics second hand that is the best option, but if not then go for what is available to you.

[creations-by-chaosfay]

A thing I pre-ordered months ago has shipped!

What's the thing?

Keepsake Quilting, and several other quilt companies/stores, put a sort of gift box together with fabric, notions, patterns, and gift cards in them. You don't know what you're getting, making it a surprise. I have never purchased one because they're expensive. This was 50% upfront, 50% when shipped, for a total of $150. Considering how much is in it, and what reviews were left the last several years, it's a steal. Plus, I wanna treat myself after having such a stressful and unpleasant year.

My mom and one of aunts have ordered such boxes in the past, but according to my mom, they're disappointing because she has so many of the things in the package, or no use for many of them. Rulers (some of which cost $30), needles, rotary cutters and extra blades (blades can be $10/each, new cutters up to $50), fabric marking tools (chalk pencils, disappearing ink, etc), precut fabric collections (jelly rolls can be $80, fat quarter collections up to $100 depending on number of FQs), and yardage ($12.99-$21.99/yard). She's been disappointed by "ugly" fabric too many times.

I, on the other hand, have significantly fewer tools. I make things for people to buy, and some folks love fabric I cannot stand (like x-mas and patriotic prints). There have been fabrics I consider well and truly hideous, and those I list in my shop or sell to people here. One person's trash is another's treasure, right? I've met people who think pastels are ugliest things to have ever existed. I think baby pink and green military camouflage look fantastic together, as well as turquoise and light hemp brown or terracotta and peacock blue. My mom finds them hideous. I think pink and any shade of brown look terrible together, or red and khaki (likely from working at Target and seeing is everywhere). Again, personal taste.

If any of you ever fancy treating me to one of these random collections of fabric and/or notions, feel free to do so. They're the sort of surprise I enjoy (that and people purchasing my work, especially from my shop). Sure, there are things that may he of no use to me, but others can use them. Nothing goes to waste.

This package will be arriving on November 18th, and has me giggling with excitement!

[endearmint-moved]

also, pro-tip for anyone still looking for summer clothes:

forgo the polyester, opt for rayon or viscose for fabric content. forgo the cotton, opt for linen or hemp.

while polyester is known for being moisture-wicking, it's outdone by rayon and viscose. rayon and viscose are made from bamboo, and both fabrics are common enough that you can even buy it in undergarments and hoisery

unlike cotton, hemp and linen are also moisture-wicking as well as breathable. cotton retains moisture almost too well (and i can vouch for that having suffered so many summers in denim shorts).

however, it seems like linen is more common in women's clothing than men's even when shopping secondhand (speaking as someone on Turtle Island). if online shopping isn't affordable nor feasible for you, at least try to go for lightweight cotton so you can get as much breathability as possible.

[usaclothingmanufacturers]

Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Denim: USA Manufacturers’ Efforts

Introduction

Denim is an American staple. It’s been around since the mid-1800s and has long been associated with American culture. But recently, denim manufacturers have been working to reduce their environmental footprint by reducing chemical use and increasing recycled fabric content. This shift has given rise to more environmentally friendly products — both domestically made and imported — as well as increased awareness among consumers about what they’re wearing on their bodies.

Environmental considerations are on the rise for apparel manufacturers in the USA

Environmental considerations are on the rise for apparel manufacturers in USA. One of the most common ways that denim jeans are manufactured is by using dyes, which can be toxic and harmful to workers when they come into contact with them. With this in mind, many companies have begun using less toxic dyes that allow for safer working conditions for employees.

Some brands have also made efforts towards reducing waste by using recycled materials in their products or creating more sustainable packaging methods.

USA apparel manufacturers are striving to create more environmentally friendly denim and denim products.

In addition to reducing the environmental footprint of denim manufacturing, Clothing manufacturers in USA are striving to create more environmentally friendly denim and denim products. They are working to reduce chemical use in the production process, reduce water usage and dyeing waste, eliminate toxic dyes, and increase recycled fabric content.

American manufacturers have made efforts to reduce water usage in dyeing processes, as well as dyeing waste.

In the denim industry, dyeing is a major part of the process. Most dyes are water-based and therefore require large amounts of water during the dyeing process. This can be quite expensive for companies that do not utilize efficient methods to reduce their use of this resource. Some companies have switched from using conventional dyes to more environmentally friendly ones; others have simply reduced their overall usage by making changes in their processes such as reducing agitation times or using less toxic chemicals during washing procedures.

Apparel manufacturing companies in the USA have also begun using less toxic dyes, which allow for safer working conditions for employees.

Apparel manufacturers in the USA have also begun using less toxic dyes, which allow for safer working conditions for employees. This is an important step in reducing the environmental footprint of denim, as well as ensuring that workers are not exposed to dangerous chemicals. There are many ways that we can all help reduce the environmental impact of denim. The first step is to be aware of how our clothing affects the planet. Once you know how much water, energy and chemicals it takes to make your favorite pair of jeans, you can make informed decisions about where and how they were made.

In addition to these efforts, some manufacturers have started using recycled materials or sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton and hemp in their production processes. If you want to buy jeans that are better for the environment, look for labels like “organic cotton” or “fair trade.” These terms indicate that the cotton used in your jeans was grown without pesticides and herbicides, which means less water was used in production.

Denim has a long history but there are ways to make it better for people and the earth.

Denim is a versatile fabric that can be used in both casual and dressy clothes. It’s been around for centuries, first made in France in the 19th century and worn by cowboys as they worked on cattle ranches across America. Today denim is considered one of the most popular clothing items in the world — but this popularity comes at an environmental cost: jeans require enormous amounts of water, chemicals, and energy during their production processes. In order to make one pair of jeans, it takes about 2,900 liters of water. This is equivalent to the amount of water six people drink in a day. Denim production also uses a lot of chemicals, including dyes and bleaches.

Over the past decade, there has been a shift toward higher-quality denim.

Over the past decade, there has been a shift toward higher-quality denim. The demand for higher-quality jeans has increased as consumers have become more educated about their purchases and are looking for items that are produced by sustainable clothing manufacturers. The trend toward higher-quality denim is apparent in recent research conducted by Cotton Incorporated which showed that “87% of consumers believe it’s important to know where their clothes come from.” Consumers are also more likely to be willing to pay more for a pair of jeans that is ethically sourced. The demand for higher-quality denim has increased as consumers have become more educated about their purchases and are looking for items that are ethically manufactured and sustainable.

In the United States, most denim is manufactured overseas.

In the United States, most denim is manufactured overseas. In fact, the majority of jeans are made in China and India — two countries with a long history of textile production that have a skilled workforce and an abundance of natural resources for producing textiles.

However, some brands have begun to manufacture their products closer to home again. In 2014 Levi Strauss & Co., which has been making blue jeans since 1853 when they invented them as workwear for miners in California’s Gold Rush era (their first customers), announced plans to open two new factories in San Antonio and 4 other cities across America by 2018 with the goal of bringing 10% of its domestic manufacturing back from overseas within five years.* The company cited rising labor costs abroad as one reason for this shift towards domestic production; another factor was increased demand for quality American-made goods among consumers who want more transparency about where their clothes come from.*

The U.S. market for denim milling, fabric dyeing, and finishing is estimated at $1 billion annually.

The U.S. market for denim milling, fabric dyeing, and finishing is estimated at $1 billion annually. The number of manufacturers in this industry has increased significantly since 2004, with most new entrants coming from Asia and Eastern Europe.

The global demand for cotton-based textiles is forecasted to grow at an average annual rate of 2 percent through 2020 (compared with 1 percent between 2005 and 2010). This growth will be driven primarily by emerging markets such as China and India where rising incomes are fueling increased demand for high-quality clothing items such as denim jeans.

Manufacturers are working to reduce their environmental footprint by reducing chemical use and increasing recycled fabric content.

The goal of reducing chemical use is to reduce the environmental footprint of denim manufacturing. This can be achieved by reducing water usage and dyeing waste, as well as increasing recycled fabric content.

· Reducing water usage: Water is an important resource, so it’s important to use it wisely in all steps of the production process — including washing and drying raw materials before they’re spun into yarns; dyeing fabrics; washing finished products; rinsing out excess dyes after dyeing; and cleaning equipment after each use.

· Increasing recycled fabric content: It takes less energy to recycle old clothes than it does to make new ones from scratch (and recycling also reduces landfill waste). Plus, it takes fewer chemicals when you start with pre-existing materials versus creating all new ones from scratch — which means less pollution overall!

While some US manufacturers have made strides in reducing their environmental footprint, there’s much more work to be done

While some US manufacturers have made strides in reducing their environmental footprint, there’s much more work to be done. Here are some things you can do to reduce your own environmental impact:

· Buy less denim, especially if it’s not made from organic cotton or recycled materials.

· Wear clothes longer before replacing them with new ones and donate unworn items to charity or second-hand shops instead of throwing them away (this also saves money!).

· Shop at local businesses that source locally-grown materials whenever possible; this helps support small businesses and keeps money circulating within the community instead of being shipped overseas — and often results in higher quality items as well!

Conclusion

Denim is a durable and versatile fabric that has been around for centuries. The fact that it’s still popular today shows just how well it works for clothing and other items like purses and jeans jackets. However, there are some problems associated with this material — namely, how much water it takes to make denim from start to finish. This infographic explores what manufacturers can do to reduce their environmental footprint while continuing production in the United States.

[tantrika1]

Browse Our Most Comfortable Women's Hemp Clothing Australia

Are you tired of buying cheap clothes? Tantrika is a brand that supports sustainable practices, fair trade and quality garments. The hemp fibres are durable enough for durability but soft enough to feel great against your skin. It wicks moisture from your body like no other fabric, so you never have to worry about feeling sweaty or uncomfortable. Our range of clothes is made from top-quality materials and incorporates the superior properties of hemp fibre. We love that hemp is the only natural fibre that can absorb and release moisture without feeling wet or clammy. Contact us for more details about Women's Hemp Clothing Australia.

[petermorwood]

This is excellent advice for the treatment (or apparent maltreatment, in linen's case) of natural fabrics.

Here's some additional info based on personal experience over many decades and numerous ways of doing laundry from ancient (well, early 1960s) to modern.

Wool. A splendid outer layer, since rain sits on rather than soaks in, but needs care when washing, and even more when drying. Don't wash a woollen garment on Hot, and definitely don't dry it that way. If you do, your favourite woolly pully will shrink to something for a child, and a child's woolly pully into something for a doll. I have done this, and it was not well appreciated except, way way back, by my small sister and presumably by her nattily pullovered favourite doll.

Cotton. Will indeed shrink a bit after washing and drying, but fortunately will stretch again during wear. Can be washed very hot to get rid of Those Annoying Stains, and by Very Hot I mean boiled. It'll still stretch back - eventually - and although sometimes uncomfortably snug during the stretching process, will nevertheless be nice and clean.

Silk. Usually expensive, so accordingly laundered with probably more care than it needs, since this is a fabric once used (in many layers, granted) as armour. Does Not Chafe, which is why it was worn as scarves by fighter pilots who had to keep turning their heads in case of The Hun In The Sun. "Silk hiding steel" is appropriate, because a lady with a Hermés (not "an 'ermes", you pronounce the H) silk scarf and something to weigh it with is not as unarmed as she seems.

Linen. The 600lb gorilla of the fabric world, only bettered by hemp. Can have a weave tight enough to carry water without dripping - especially after the weave soaks and swells - and a tensile strength enough to carry pounds and kilos of it. (You can still buy collapsible "canvas" - usually linen or hemp - buckets...) @dduane and I inherited a lot of Irish Linen from my Mum, some still in original boxes with original washing instructions. Those instructions were, more or less, "rub soap into stubborn stains, scrub thoroughly and boil until clean".

Where linen and hemp fabrics are concerned...

*****

Even though she had a succession of increasingly modern washing machines, Mum also had and occasionally used - or more accurately supervised my use of - some quite old-fashioned laundry equipment.

Linens with stubborn stains were indeed scrubbed thoroughly, using a block of hard soap then a washboard, and an impressive abs workout it was...

Then the scrubbed stuff was boil-washed in Mum's washing machine (which could reach a genuine 100°C rolling boil) before being rinsed, passed through the mangle (or wringer, more in this post) and pegged out on the washing-line to dry.

*****

As i hunted up illustrations I (re-)discovered a Terry Pratchett Discworld connection. Remember the "copper stick" used by Granny and Nanny to summon the demon in "Wyrd Sisters"?

"What are you going to try?" said Granny. Since they were on Nanny's territory, the choice was entirely up to her. "I always say you can't go wrong with a good Invocation," said Nanny. "Haven't done one for years." Granny Weatherwax frowned. Magrat said, "Oh, but you can't. Not here. You need a cauldron, and a magic sword. And an octogram. And spices, and all sorts of stuff." Granny and Nanny exchanged glances. "It's not her fault," said Granny. "It's all them grimmers she was bought." She turned to Magrat. "You don't need none of that," she said. "You need headology." She looked around the ancient washroom. "You just use whatever you've got," she said. She picked up the bleached copper stick, and weighed it thoughtfully in her hand. "We conjure and abjure thee by means of this—" Granny hardly paused – "sharp and terrible copper stick."

It's one of these, not made OF copper but meant for use IN a copper.

Mum had one, originally Granny's, which kept getting pinched to play the role of sword, baton or whatever, though its official purpose was to stir, untangle and finally remove laundry which had been boiled in a "laundry copper":

This one shows how it straddled two gas jets, but Nanny Ogg's copper had a fireplace space under the actual cauldron (though in summer she used it as a beer cooler).

These cauldrons were still called "coppers" even when more cheaply made of iron. It's another instance of how vacuum cleaners became "hoovers" and sticking-plasters became "band-aids" etc., etc., no matter what brand they really were.

"Boil", however, wasn't a figurative term. It meant what it said, and those thoroughly scrubbed linens (cottons, too) would bubble merrily for quite a while "until clean".

Coppers were also used for cooking, with perhaps the most famous literary instance being chez Cratchit in "A Christmas Carol":

“A great deal of steam! The pudding was out of the copper. A smell like a washing-day! That was the cloth. A smell like an eating-house and a pastry-cook’s next door to each other, with a laundress’s next door to that! That was the pudding!"

Mum initially had a separate electric boiler - IIRC it was Burco brand, which still makes much smaller boilers for catering, though ours was never used for anything except laundry - but mostly I remember the boil being done in her washing machine.

More modern machines only go to 90-95°C, sometimes just 60°C, but when her Hoover was running at full belt, things got as lively as any pot on a hob even before the agitator started churning. Never mind closing its lid to avoid mess, when a boil-wash was taking place that lid was also a needful safety precaution against scalding splashes.

*****

Removal by copper stick was superseded by use of tongs, and Mum had a set just like these...

...though I don't think hers had such an apt name.

Stirring with the copper stick was replaced by washing with a posser, which pumped up and down, or a washing dolly, which rotated.

Both actions have been replicated by washing-machines, and though variants of the dolly rotation became almost standard in tub washers, the posser did appear in an early 20th-century hand-operated machine...

...as well as the Frigidaire "Jet Cone" washer...

...whose action, TBH, reminds me of certain non-laundry gadgets I saw many years ago in The Pleasure Chest on Santa Monica... :-P

Modernised possers or even original designs are still available today.

*****

Whenever you read in stories about avoiding trouble with laundresses, those devices along with scrubbing, wringing out and cranking mangles are why. Regular workouts with laundry equipment gave them the sort of muscles nobody wanted to provoke.

*****

I've already mentioned "A Christmas Carol" and, given the time of year (posted 22nd December 2024) this ought to end with another one, so...

As shepherds washed their socks by night, All seated round the tub, A bar of Sunlight soap came down And they began to scrub...

You're welcome.

:->

Here, a cheater course on caring for natural fibers!

1. Wool. Treat it like it has the delicate constitution of a Victorian lady and the conviction that baths are evil of a 17th century noble. (If I get in WATER my PORES will OPEN and I will CATCH ILL AND DIE.)

2. Cotton; easygoing. Will shrink a bit if washed and dried hot.

3. Silk; people think it’s like wool and has the constitution of a fashionably dying of consumption Victorian lady, but actually it’s quite tough. Can be washed in an ordinary washer, and either tumbled dry without heat or hung to dry.

4. Linen; it doesn’t give a shit. Beat the hell out of it. Historically was laundered by dousing it in lye and beating the shit out of it with wooden paddles, which only makes it look better. The masochist of the natural fiber world. Beat the fuck out of it linen doesn’t care. Considerably stronger than cotton. Linen sheet sets can last literal decades in more or less pristine shape because of that strength.The most likely natural fiber to own a ball gag.

[reepeat1]

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[cleverhottubmiracle]

Recycled fabric suppliers disrupted the fashion scene around 2017 for good reason. They provided a sustainable manufacturing solution that performance brands had been craving. For years, the green advice was to switch from petroleum-based synthetics like polyester and nylon to more natural fibers like cotton and hemp - bonus points if organic. But those fibers don’t hold up for swim, winter jacket, and yoga brands in wet, harsh conditions. Recycled polyester finally offered a sustainable alternative without sacrificing quality. However, if you have been keeping up with the news, you’ll know that recycled polyester isn't the cure-all once hoped. But it did spark a movement. Thanks to increased demand, other sustainable options became popular.  In this article, I will talk about all the recycled textile options available and share some of the best suppliers in the industry.    BUT BEFORE WE GET STARTED... I love helping startup brand founders succeed, so I created a bunch of free guides that will help you with your business. They won’t be free forever, so make sure to grab them while you can.    HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Let’s start! By the end, you’ll understand recycled fabrics and know the best suppliers for you.     WHY ARE RECYCLED FABRICS SO POPULAR?  CONSUMER DEMAND While it might seem like the fashion gods determine all trends, industry insiders know that progress is comes from customer demand. On the day-to-day fashion level, trends use sales data. If a new style doesn’t sell, the brand will make less of it. If a new style sells well, brands won’t just make more; they will make multiple variations of it. Recycled fabric suppliers have seen record sales because consumers are wanting environmental change. And brands that adopt these trends faster are gaining the most.    A PRACTICAL SOLUTION Recycled fabrics perfectly suit performance brands. And part of the reason recycled fabrics have become so popular is largely thanks to the rise in athleisure styles. Typically, these types of designs need polyester and nylon for moisture management and durability. Natural fibers just don’t perform as well. Period.  Now, without quality tradeoffs, performance brands can offer high-performing products with diverse fiber options, all while making a positive environmental impact.   TBH, I am still on the hunt for a good pair of cotton workout leggings that last and don’t stretch out. If you know any, email me. While there have been advances, to my knowledge, they just can’t compete with the synthetic stuff.    BETTER TECHNOLOGY  Recycled fiber technology has been around for a while - since 1993, to be exact. But, early recycled fabrics felt pretty gross, like squeaky styrofoam.  Back then, the technology just wasn’t there to create a product that consumers actually wanted to buy. Yea, it was cool that they could make fabric out of old water bottles. But, no one actually wanted to put it on their body.   Thanks to decades of increased demand, fiber suppliers invested more and more money in recycling technology to continue to improve the feel of the fibers. And, today, many recycled fabrics match or exceed virgin textile quality.  And this is really what I want you to take away from this story…  People can demand sustainable options all they want, but there needs to be financial investments into technology to actually make it happen.     DON'T FEEL LIKE READING? CHECK OUT THIS 60 SECOND RECAP!   WHAT IS RECYCLED FABRIC?  In its simplest definition, recycled fabric takes waste, breaks it down into simpler components, and recreates new sustainable fabrics.  The most mainstream recycled fabric is polyester, which is made from ocean plastic, specifically plastic bottles and fishing nets. However, suppliers can also make recycled fabrics from many different sources. Waste can be pre-consumer or post-consumer. Pre-consumer waste is factory waste that the customer never sees. Examples of this would be textile mill remnants, factory cutting room scraps, and even unsold inventory from retail stores. Manufacturers collection post-consumer waste from customers. Examples of this would be a shirt you no longer want anymore or other clothing on its way to the garbage.    RECLAIMED VS. RECYCLED The terms ‘recycled’ and ‘reclaimed’ are sometimes used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings.     RECLAIMED TEXTILES Reclaimed textiles are fabrics or clothing originally destined for the landfill. But, designers and brands rescue and repurpose them. Think of reclaimed textiles as the step before recycling. They work well for small, limited runs and one-of-a-kind pieces.   Finding a roll of vintage fabric at an estate sale and using it to create a small collection of shirts would be a perfect example of this. Garments made out of deadstock are also technically reclaimed fabric.  PROS:  More sustainable than recycling - because it does not use all the resources needed to create new fabrics. Unique - especially if you are using vintage textiles. Affordable - generally, these fabrics are heavily discounted. When fabrics go to recycling, suppliers know they will get pennies on the dollar. If they can sell them as reclaimed fabrics, they can make a bit more money than with recyclers. But it will still be a great deal for the brand. CONS: Once it’s gone, it’s gone - if you find a fabric that your customers love, once once you use it all up, that’s it. Not scalable - designers who use reclaimed fabrics are constantly on the hunt for the next best fabric. Because they can not reorder like in traditional supply chains, they are left constantly sourcing. Quality - because fabrics are old or rejected, there might be flaws like discoloration, degraded strength, and other abnormalities.    RECYCLED TEXTILES As I mentioned earlier, recycled fabrics are collected items that are broken down and made into something new.  For example, did you know that fabric performance degrades over time? Because of this, deadstock fabric or reclaimed fabrics might not be the best fit for performance items. For example, a highly technical jacket for Olympic athletes would likely use recycled polyester because it would give the manufacturers more control over the quality any performance of the textiles. PROS: Consistent quality - the same fabric can be re-ordered, and brands know what type of quality they are getting.  Scalable - because re-orders are possible, it is easier to make more Simplified sourcing - think SOPs (standard operating procedures). The process of ordering new fabrics and making more units is easily repeatable, saving time and money. Tested performance - most recycled fabric suppliers will invest in testing their top fabric qualities. This means that brands are able to receive a test report to know how fabrics will perform under different conditions like sun, chlorine, and even physical stress and abrasion.  CONS: High energy use - suppliers need a lot of energy to break down the used materials and turn them into something new. Potentially expensive - especially for low MOQ. Generally, MOQs are higher with recycled textiles than with virgin textiles. To use these types of materials, brands will either need to increase product prices or accept lower profit margins. Ongoing environmental issues - the juice might not be worth the squeeze. There are lots of problems with recycled fabrics (like microfibers - I’ll get to more on that in a minute) that we are only just learning about now. Between the increased price and negative environmental impacts, they simply might not be as great as we once thought.    WHICH IS BETTER? Well, that is really up to you! But for me, the biggest reason I lean towards recycled fabrics over reclaimed is scalability. With reclaimed fabrics, you will always be on the “I need to find more fabric” hamster wheel. Brands like Christy Dawn and Reformation are both proof of this. Both brands started with deadstock fabrics and, as they gained popularity, had to change their supply chains to use recycled and other eco friendly fabrics.     HOW ARE RECYCLED FABRICS MADE? Many people don’t realize there are different fabric recycling methods. There are two main types, each with its own supply chain and each with its own set of pros and cons.     PHYSICAL / MECHANICAL RECYCLING Here’s how mechanical recycled fabric suppliers create new fabrics: 1. Old textiles collection - These fabrics can come from consumers throwing old garments away or from other supply chain partners. 2. The material sorting - The materials are divided by fiber content and color.  By sorting by color, suppliers are able to create colored fabrics that do not require an additional dye process (read: are extra eco-friendly). It is also important to note that for high-quality fabrics to come out on the other side, pure garments need to go in. So, shirts that are 55% organic cotton and 45% polyester are generally not suitable for the recyling process. 3. Materials prepping for the recycling process - Suppliers remove trim like elastic waistbands, labels, buttons, and zippers from the garments. 4. Material breakdown - Everything is put into basically a giant blender, to breakd down the garments into their fiber state. 5. Yarn spinning - I think this one is self explanitory . 6. New fabric creation - And, just like in virgin fabric manufacturing, suppliers then weave and knit the yarns into fabrics.    CHEMICAL RECYCLING  Chemical recycling uses, you guessed it, chemicals to break down fabrics, garments, and even the fibers themselves to then create new fibers and fabrics. The main difference between mechanical and chemical recycling (aside from all the chemicals used) is that mechanical recycling reuses the natural fibers, whereas chemicals completely break them down to their molecular components and create new ones. Chemical fabric recycling is typically done at a completely different facility, and usually by a completely different company. Here is how chemically recycled fabric suppliers make new fabrics:  Steps 1-3 are the same - as mechanical recycling. But this time, it is extremely important that all the fiber sources are pure. Because a chemical reaction is taking place, and different chemicals react differently with different fibers, we need to make sure only 100% cotton, or 100% polyester sources are going into the recycling system. Chemicals are added - in the case of 100% cotton recycling, the chemicals used will break down the cotton fibers into a solution that is similar to rayon. In the case of 100% polyester recycling, the chemicals will break down the plastic into a liquid that is almost identical to virgin polyester. Yarns are extruded - because chemical recycling creates new fibers, those fibers need to be made from the liquid solution. AKA the extrusion process. And just like in mechanical recycling, the yarns are spun, and then knit or woven into fabrics.     PROS AND CONS OF MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL RECYCLING From the description of how recycled fabrics are made above, I bet you are probably thinking that mechanical recycling sounds like a much more eco-friendly process because it does not use heavy chemicals. And, you are right. However, because mechanical recycling breaks down the fibers, the fibers become weaker, creating lower-quality fabrics. While mechanical recycling has come a long way, and some suppliers have gotten really good at it, there will always be a slight loss of quality every time those fibers pass through the recycling system. With chemical recycling, as long as the new fibers do not mix with other fiber types like spandex for stretch fabrics, they can technically go through the recycling system forever and create the same standard of quality every time.    RECYCLED FABRIC SUPPLIERS TO TRY (BY FIBER) Here are a few of my favorite recycled fabric suppliers that are worth working with:    RECYCLED POLYESTER FABRIC SUPPLIERS AND RECYCLED NYLON FABRIC SUPPLIERS Recycled polyester (aka rPET) and recycled nylon are two very similar fibers. Both are petroleum-based. Generally, manufacturers that make one will also make the other. FUN FACT: What’s cool about rPET specifically is that, unlike other fiber recycling processes, this one might actually be more environmentally friendly than creating virgin materials. The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment did a study and found that rPET uses 59% less energy than virgin poly, and that making the switch from virgin to recycled can reduce CO2 emissions by 32%.    UNIFI / REPREVE While I bet you have never heard of Unifi, I am willing to bet you have heard of REPREVE®, a well-known brand for recycled polyester fabrics. REPREVE was one of the first recycled fiber suppliers to become a household name. To be clear, UNIFI is the parent company of REPREVE. UNIFI then sells the yarns to fabric mills to create textiles. But, sometimes, if you ask nicely, UNIFI will share a list of textile suppliers they sell their branded yarns too. UNIFI also has REPREVE® Our Ocean™, which is basically REPREVE, made from ocean plastics. BTW, it’s important to look at each supplier’s definition of fabric recycled from “ocean plastic”. For UNIFI, it is bottles at high risk of ending up in the ocean. UNFI deals with the root cause of ocean plastic. They make sure to collect bottles within 50K of coastlines. So, to be clear, they are not necessarily cleaning up the Oceans.  Additional Sustainable Fiber Options There are other special REPREVE yarns, including the Smart Dye collection, that allows for lower temperature dyeing (saving heat and electricity). Sultra is another special type of yarn that is super soft and works well with catatonic dyes. Catatonic dyes create heather fabric effects. Since the success of REPREVE, UNIFI has also expanded its product offerings to recycled nylon.     PARLEY Speaking of ocean plastic, I am sure you have heard about Parlay for The Oceans, thanks to their headline-grabbing partnership with ADIDAS. I personally know the Parley team, and have even gotten to participate in a beach clean up (you can watch the video here). I can tell you firsthand - they are the real deal. Not only are they on the ground working to clean up the oceans, but they are giving back to local communities in more ways than you could imagine. I won’t get into it all here, but expect a dedicated blog post about them soon!      ECONYL Econyl became popular around the same time as REPREVE. But, while REPREVE was first known for its polyester, Econyl, just like the name suggests, focused on Nylon. One of the things that I really like about Econyl is that they feature brands that use their fibers and fabrics on their website (hello, free PR).    FULGAR Another top recycled fabric supplier is the Italian company Fulgar. Fulgar has a range of yarns, but their most popular is the Q-NOVA range, which is a recycled nylon 6.6.    CARVICO JERSEY LOMELILNA Another Italian company, Carvico, specializes in all types of recycled athletic fabrics, though they are probably best known for their recycled polyester knit fabrics made for swimsuit styles. So, if you are looking to skip the yarn supplier stage and jump straight into fabric sourcing, Carvico might be the best option for you.    RECYCLED COTTON FABRIC SUPPLIERS AND RECYCLED RAYON FABRIC SUPPLIERS Quick recap from earlier. Mechanical recycling of cotton creates more cotton fibers, while chemical recycling of cotton creates rayon. If you are interested in learning more about cotton recycling - check out this post.     RECOVER FIBER Recover Fiber is probably the most famous cotton recycling company. They take old garments and transform them into their own brand of rayon fiber RECOVER. They have partnerships with brands like LandsEnd, DL1961, Primark, and Revolve.    RENEWCELL Renewcell is another big player in the cotton waste-to-rayon game. Circulose is their brand of rayon fiber. Renewcell works with brands like Levis, Adidas, and Zara - so you know you’ll be in good company.     LENZING Lenzing also uses cotton industry scraps to create new rayon fibers with REVIBRA rayon, which falls under the Tencel family. What makes these fibers extra special is that they are carbon-zero.    COTTON WORKS BY COTTON INC. Leave it to the ultimate cotton people at Cotton Inc. to have an entire arm of their business dedicated to mechanical cotton recycling - Cotton Works. Cotton Works works (get it?) at solving problems like creating high-quality recycled cotton yarns, reducing the costs of processes to make it easier for brands to adopt the technology, and investing in testing to further research.    RECYCLED WOOL FABRIC SUPPLIERS Did you know that animal fiber textiles are generally the most expensive material? You definitely don’t want to let those fibers go to waste. There is actually a rich history of wool recycling in Italy with an origin story of financial necessity (you can read more about it after clicking the Monteco link below).    MONTECO For an entire article and factory tour about my wool recycling favs, Monteco - click here. P.S., they are startup-friendly!    RECYCLED DENIM FABRIC SUPPLIERS Denim is a special type of fabric. That is because, unlike other fabrics, the indigo dye sits on the top of the yarns and does not penetrate all the way through. To learn more about jeans, you can check out this article about what makes a pair expensive, and this one about sustainable practices in the denim industry. It’s no surprise that denim textiles would need their own special recycling systems.     THE NEW DENIM PROJECT Based in Guatemala City, The New Denim Project breaks down old denim and other textiles to create new ones through a hand-weaving process. As a bonus, hand-weaving uses even less electricity. This is definitely a great recycled fabric supplier for brands that use more artisanal techniques in their supply chains.     FINAL THOUGHTS ON RECYCLED FABRICS While just a few years ago, using recycled materials would lead to inferior products, today's suppliers (in large part thanks to customer demand, increased technology, and more research in the area) are just as good as using raw materials. Personally, I can’t wait to see just how much better they get, not just in quality but also in their positive impact on the environment in the future.    ADDITIONAL SUSTAINABLE FIBER RESOURCES     WHAT DO YOU THINK? Are you going to use recycled fabrics in your next collection? Which of these suppliers are you most excited to work with? Let me know in the comments 🙂 Source link