|
|
|
 As long as I can remember, I have always had an infatuation with fabric. Napped materials like raw silk, linen, unbleached muslin, burlap and hemp appealed to me because of their slightly rough texture, just as much as fleece, velour, and gauze did because of their softness. As a little girl, my fingers became my eyes into the world of textile goods, feeling my way around garment racks and my mothers linen closet. It was always about how it felt, before it was about how it looked, behaved, or cost. Still today, much of how I experience the world is based on how a specific experience makes me feel.
When I started playing around with different materials and constructing one of a kind fashions on a more professional level, I slowly began to realize that I was not the only one who opted to base the satisfaction of a particular garment on this same premise. I imagine it is because at the end of the day, our inner spirit knows what it likes and what harmonizes with our bodies better, or maybe our likes and dislikes are based on some subconscious yet very real genetic memory attached to a specific aspect of our fabric of choice despite what society tells our minds we should like. " Fashionistas shop only at designer boutiques like Gucci and DKNY". " Successful men only wear Italian suits ". "If you are a wise and thrifty shopper you will purchase the cheaper 80 count cotton sheets from a substandard mill instead of the 600 count organic kona cotton ones." And the list of shoulds goes on and on. After over 20 years in the fashion industry and a whole lot of observation of basic human nature, one thing I know is this; you have to feel comfortable in the clothes you are in first and foremost. The comfort and confidence alone will be the envy behind any possible judgement. I dont care what the latest trend is or what looks good on that airbrushed model in Vogue Magazine. And with so many great organic,fibers to covet your naturally beautiful vessel in a healing and harmonious way, their is no excuse for denying yourself of the pleasure. So the next time you are at your local mall and find yourself perusing the racks of your favorite department store, close your eyes a moment and let your fingers be your decision maker. I have a feeling your body will thank you for it!
Labels: bamboo-fabric, burlap, gauze-material, kona-cotton, natural-fabric
 With summer speeding by at a seemingly rapid pace, and the seasonal sun shining as bright as ever, keeping cool and looking stylish under the pressure can become a tricky affair...until now. Look on the racks at most of your upscale, downtown or urban retail fashion chains and you will see florals, stripes, loud colors, muted hues; all designed to entice you into a sale that may look cool and refreshing, but wind up being uncomfortably hot and frustratingly hard to care for. After the fuchsia petals and turquoise tribal prints have lured you to touch, pull out the content label and find out what you are really working with. If it is not a cotton, linen, rayon, bamboo or mesh, you might want to search a little harder. It's not to say that some denims or silks are not apropos for the summer heat, it is just that the ones mentioned above offer little more of a guarantee from sweat stained tops and sticky bottoms that make you want to strip down right where you are standing. When you are out and about in the summer, why not look fashionable while feeling cool and carefree. 1. Cotton: From cotton seersucker to cotton gauze to just plain old cotton, the fibers of this plant are probably the most popular for not only the warm summer months, but year round. A lightweight cotton with absorbent fibers whisks away moisture from the body while at the same time offering a breathable protective barrier between the sun and your body. Available in several different weaves, natural cotton material is also durable and easy to care for. 2. Linen: Another natural plant fiber, linen can be heavyweight or light, loose weave or tight, worn in summer or winter in style. For the summer months try a lightweight linen for a fashionable look and feel that never seems to loose its popularity. Though sometimes temperamental when it comes to wrinkles, a blended material of 55% linen / 45% cotton offers more wearing ease and can be laundered as well, saving time and money from expensive dry cleaning. 3. Polyester: Wrinkle resistant, cool, easy to dry and available in an assortment of prints and weaves, polyester has revamped itself over the years and is now more popular than ever for summer wear as well as year round. From polyester seersucker to 100% polyester, you can easily find just the right look and feel for those hot humid days and cool summer nights with this transitional fabric. 4. Bamboo: Like kona cotton, hemp, and seacell fabrics, bamboo is a natural fiber. Breathable and cool due to it porous fibers, bamboo fabrics absorb nearly three times more moisture than cotton leaving you cool and carefree even as your body temperature rises. Resistant to odor retention, this naturally anti-bacterial fabric is also ideal for long days in the hot summer sun. When you are looking for a fabric that is attractive and practical, look no further than bamboo. 5. Mesh: Usually made from polyester or nylon, mesh fabric looks like netting but with more durability. Most popularly used for sport jerseys, active wear, and swimwear cover ups, mesh is about as open aired as you can get when it comes to material. While it wont fully protect your body from the rays of the sun, it will offer somewhat of a breathable barrier, especially while at the shore. Mesh is easy to care for and will last for some time. Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: bamboo-fabric, cotton-fabric, linen-fabric, mesh-material, organic-fabric, polyester-fabric, seersucker, summer-fabric, summer-fashion
 Earth is home to many living creatures, including man himself. But how often do we as humans take for granted Mother Earth and all that she provides for us. We rarely give a second thought to the air we breath or the ground that we walk upon. It seems the very source of our survival, is the very source we tend to rape, pillage and pollute. From the age if antiquity the relationship between man and nature has been a co-dependent one where what affects one, affects the other. And like any marriage, if we want it to be successful, the exchange has to be a healthy and beneficial one. It was over 39 years ago today that the first modern environmental movement designed to encourage environmentally-aware behaviors, inspire appreciation and raise awareness to this powerful yet fragile union between man and nature was born. And every year since, April 22nd has been designated as Earth Day; mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting the status of environmental issues onto world stage. From recycling, improving energy efficiency, and reducing disposable items, to hugging trees, creating animal habitats, and car pooling, humans have been slowly but surely playing their part one by one in the hopes of rectifying their wrongs and creating a marriage of love and longevity between Mother Earth and man. In honor of this movement, this marriage and this life, J&O Fabrics celebrates Earth Day and encourages everyone to take a stand in support as well by recycling old fabric, reupholstering outdated furniture, air drying your material instead of machine drying, or purchasing organic fabrics. One person can make a difference, let it be you! Labels: bamboo-fabric, childrens novelty fabric, earth-day, kona-cotton, mother-earth, organic-fabric, planet-earth
 Today J&O Fabrics and millions of other folks striving to become more environmentally conscious are celebrating the 39th Anniversary of Earth Day not only across America, but in countries like the UK, Philippines, Venezuela, Spain and Togo too. If you've never heard of Earth Day or the ideology behind going 'green', then you're in for a treat. Today, and in the days and weeks to come, you will probably be bombarded with information and resources on how you can help create a healthier planet and give back to Mother Earth for all that she has done for you...without you even having to ask. From the air we breath, water we drink, and ground we walk upon, Mother Earth has been taking good care of us over the years, so why not show her how much she is appreciated by recycling our papers and cans, using less plastic and NON-biodegradable materials, and preserving our water usage. By just taking one step in favor of a less polluted and more sustainable environment, we can each play our part in saving our planet and ourselves! At J&O Fabrics we are playing our part by carrying various 100% organic and pesticide free fabrics in a selection of all natural materials and colors. By using organic fabrics, we reduce the poisoning of the planet and its inhabitants by reducing the use of chemical treatments on fiber crops. Purchase 1, 5, or even 10 yards for your own personal use today! To find out how you can contribute to the modern environmental movement, check out the websites below. One person can make a difference, play your part today! Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: bamboo-fabric, earth-day, environmentally-friendly, go-green, go-green gina, kona-cotton, Organic, organic-fabric, organic-material, seacell-fabric
 While most of our shirts have been, and continue to be made from cotton, bamboo fiber shirts are slowly becoming the popular ‘go-green’ alternative. Both are natural plant fibers, absorb moisture well, and are strong and durable. The benefit of the bamboo fiber is that it is naturally anti-bacterial and is known for its breath-ability as well. Much like cotton, it is not only comfortable, but carries an extremely soft hand too. One more thing they have in common, China. Both cotton and bamboo are grown and harvested in abundance there not only to support their building needs, but their wildlife as well. As we move into a consciousness that has us ever more aware of our connection with Mother Nature and the effects that human action has on her, the more we are propelled to purchase and support organic and go-green products. Many natural forming goods that we have taken for granted over the centuries are slowly fading away and the need for sustainable resources is in even more demand now. Bamboo is known as one of the fasted growing and spreading plants on the Earth, making it not only naturally highly renewable, but also a great source in improving soil quality in eroded areas of land. This, in turn, makes the soil more fertile for other plants to grow. In less than 5 years it is ready for harvest and a new batch is ready to follow right behind. With minimal chemical additives required to convert the bamboo plant fiber into textile fiber, bamboo is soon to becoming the next blessing from nature to hit the fashion runways of our own clothing closets and home dwelling spaces. From shirts to sheets, go-green. Mother Earth thanks you! 
Check out our eco-friendly bamboo fabric here!
Check out our organic cotton here! Check out our selection of sea-Tiva cotton here!
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: bamboo-fabric, cotton fabric, eco friendly fabric, go green gina, Natural, natural fabric, Organic, organic fabric
 Imagine a garment that breathes when you breath, moves as you move, and is fashioned from the same natural ingredients as you are…... BEAUTIFULLY. Now imagine the feeling of this same material against your skin, gently draped or wrapped around you as you sleep at night. Comforting right?  Well, J&O is excited to bring you our greenSTYLE fabric collection. Our latest selection offers the comfort and peace our minds and bodies have been waiting for, with the style and durability that we look for in our fabric purchases. No synthetic matter, pesticides, or harsh and abrasive chemicals. Nothing to make your sensitive skin flare up or your baby to cry. What better way to give back to Mother Earth and yourself than with our selection of natural and organic cottons, bamboo, hemp and sea-cell fabrics. Available in an affordable array of colors and textures, not only will your wallet thank you, but your body will to.
Each of our natural fabrics has its own unique advantages and qualities, is environmentally friendly and will add a fresh look to your home and wardrobe.  Our Kona Cottons are made of 100% organic cotton and breathes with your body. Their fibers are responsible for wicking away perspiration and drying quickly. The cotton takes dyes very well, and is very easy to care for. It is also an excellent material for plus sized clothes, with the natural fiber creating a smooth outline and the organic texture helping the skin to breath. Kona Cotton is an ideal fashion fabric for shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, Hawaiian shorts, pet clothing, quilts, crafts and many other items. Panda Washed Poplin is a blend of organic cotton and bamboo. The bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and odor resistant. Bamboo is also breathable and cool, even in the hottest weather. Furthermore, Panda Washed Poplin is durable and strong. Hemp and ramie are made from the stalks of plants, much like linen is. They are strong and durable, and have the same natural sheen as linen. Both fabrics absorb heat and release moisture, making them cool and comfortable to wear. Create a casual 3pc ensemble or soft bedding set with this wonderful material.  100% Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and odor resistant. Bamboo is also breathable and cool, even in the hottest weather. Furthermore, Panda Washed Poplin: White is durable and strong. Sea-cell facilitates the exchange of the nutrients naturally found in seaweed. Calcium, magnesium, amino acids and vitamins are released by body moisture when the fabric is worn. It is also light, breathable and soft. All are eco-friendly, recyclable and biodegradable. And all are available right here at J&O.
So take a moment to explore what we have in store.
Labels: bamboo-fabric, natural-fabric, Organic, organic-fabric, organic-fabrics, seaweed-fabric
|
|
|
|
|
|