September 2008

The fabrics of life

As consumer awareness grows and greener options are becoming available, you may be hearing more about Eco-Fashion and Eco-Fabrics but what are they exactly? Fabrics that are either organic and/or sustainable make up the basis for fashions that are great for the environment and subsequently our health. Are all natural fabrics "eco" or ecologically sound? Not if they are treated with toxic pesticides or chemical finishes or produced using enormous amounts of energy. Eco-Fabrics are usually coloured with dyes that have a low-impact on the environment.

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Organic fabrics are better for everybody and especially for those of us who suffer from allergies. Sustainable fabrics are also better for the environment as they are a renewable resource unlike synthetics, such as polyester, a petroleum and coal-based product. Polyesters are also highly flammable which has been a problem in children's sleepwear in the past. Natural fabrics are also biodegradable.

Some of the wonder fabrics to watch for:

Hemp

Hemp is the strongest and the most durable of natural fibres. It is a weed that grows in the wild so it doesn't require pesticides. Products made from hemp will outlast their competition by many years. Its strength means that garments hold their shape well and won’t stretch over time.

Hemp fabrics have natural antibacterial properties and resistance to mould even after numerous washes and will soften with washing.

Organic cotton

Organic cotton products are remarkably soft because there are no chemicals, harsh dyes or toxic bleaches applied to the fabric. Industrial cotton production relies heavily on toxic chemicals which go directly into the soil, water and air we breathe and place farm workers and others at risk.
(see my previous article "Organic Woman")

Bamboo

Bamboo is an excellent organic choice and the fabric created from bamboo pulp is surprisingly soft.

The environmental benefits of bamboo clothing are numerous. Bamboos are the world's fasted growing plants and their hardiness means that they do so without the use of fertilisers or pesticides. They can survive drought conditions as well as flooding. Bamboo is sustainable as the plant is self replenishing with new shoots continuously growing and replacing the old ones.

Soy

Soy fabrics are nothing new. The fibre was invented by Henry ford in 1937 when he made a suit and tie and used the fabric in car upholstery. The fabric is absorbent, warm, and resistant to bacteria and UV rays. It is made from a by-product of soybean oil or tofu production which would otherwise be wasted. The soy proteins are then spun into fibre without any chemical interference.

Organic soy crops are grown without fertilizers or pesticides. Fertility is added back to the soil rather than depleting it as the plant fixes nitrogen in the soy, making soy agriculture another ecologically sound option.

Wool

Wool is another fabric that naturally resists mildew and mould as it has the ability to both absorb and repel moisture. Along with the fibre’s natural dust mite repellence, it makes for an ideal clothing and bedding solution for allergy sufferers and infants. With the exception of the very rare allergy to lanolin, most people’s intolerance to wool is actually due to the chemicals used in the treatment of and not the fabric itself.

It is fire retardant, capable of resisting flame without the chemical treatment usually required for other fabrics and natural wrinkle resistant. Of course it is sustainable as it can be shorn from sheep annually.

Lyocell or Tencel™

Lyocell is a natural, man-made fibre produced from wood pulp that has become popular in clothing because it is absorbent and comfortable for wear, especially in conditions of high humidity.

It is manufactured by a solvent spinning process, but the solvent is recycled so its manufacture is an environmentally friendly process. The fibre has all the advantages of a natural material and is 100% bio-degradable.

Organic Linen

Organic Linen is manufactured from the flax plant. The entire flax crop is used so no waste is created during harvesting. Processing does not use as much energy compared with artificial textile fibre processing. It has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties and offers UV protection.

Linen is a beautiful fibre that allows skin to breathe, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Quick drying and easily refreshed by washing, it has the ability to retain its shape after washing as it does not hold elastic properties.

Fabrics are also available as blends of any of the above, combining the advantages of each fibre. Check out www.thea-sami.com.au/store for eco-fabrics.

Thea & Sami is a Design and Screen-Printing Studio based in Brisbane which specialises in hand-printing Eco-Fashion and Homewares.

Thea Samios Thea & Sami "Queensland Style with an Eco Smile" m 0411 270 263 e thea@thea-sami.com.au w www.thea-sami.com.au