I have been in the fashion industry for over 20 years, and though it is a constant recycling of thoughts and ideas, I still find myself amazed at some of the creative and innovative designs, wearable textile goods, and fashion trends that evolve from the minds of men and women around the world. One such imaginative concept combining both technology and fashion, is sonic fabric.
Sonic fabric was first introduced to the textile goods industry in the early part of Y2k by a Brooklyn based artist named Alyce Santoro who was inspired by both the use of small strands of cassette tape as wind indicators on sailboats, and by Tibetan prayer flags inscribed with wind activated affirmations and blessings still in use today. The end result, a recyclable material that one can not only wear, but listen to as well! Yes, this unique blend of 50% recycled pre-recorded audio tape and 50% cotton (or polyester) contains multiple strands of sound that when brushed over with a cassette tape head, can actually play music or whatever was captured in the creation process by its designer. When asked how this is even possible, Alyce explained how the tape retains its magnetic quality throughout the weaving / manufacturing process and is therefore able to replay a somewhat scratchy, yet none-the-less, audible version of whatever was recorded onto the tape. Imagine the many ways this concept can be expounded on and marketed, especially in the times we are living in where many consumers are looking for more eco-friendly, holistic, green ways of living. Garments, bedding, and home accent pieces made from sonic fabric that has been infused with healing sounds, affirming mantras, or simply your favorite artist, could have a powerful and harmonizing effect on not only your person, but your environment as well. 
At J&O, where fabric is our passion, discovering and sharing news worthy fabric ideas and creations is what we live for. Whether its origins lie within our four walls, or just outside. As more and more individuals nurture their creativity, we will continue to see new and innovative concepts revolutionize not only the fashion textile industry, but the world as a whole.
To view some other innovative, eco-friendly, and new fabrics on the market and in our store, just click on the links.
Bamboo fabric
Sea-cell fabric
new fabric
Posts by J&O Fabric Store
Labels: alyce-santoro, audible-fabric, designtex, eco-friendly-fabric, jon-fishman, phish, recycled goods, sonic-fabric, woven-fabric
There is something to say about the cycle of life and the return to the tried and true. Whether you are talking about health remedies, lifestyle practices, fashion, or even fabric. And with go-green and eco-friendly practices on the rise by mainstream consumers from Cali to NYC, more and more designers and textile industries are jumping on the bandwagon and taking it back to the basics with the use of natural fiber alternatives. As they do so, consumers gain more insight into just how far behind western culture is in comparison to the rest of the world in terms of sustainable living.
Noticeable as well are the differences seen in authentic hand weaved materials and machine manufactured ones. In the attempt to maximize production and corner the market, westerners and overly ambitious manufacturers have tried to replicate natural fiber texturizing techniques using various mechanical devices in order to ensure faster processing, bigger volume, and lower costs. The result, a product of inferior quality and substance.
One such plant whose fibers have been cultivated, sustained and hand woven in the plush tropical province of Aklan, Philippines for centuries, is the Pina cloth. Not only natural, it is a great eco-friendly textile source. Pina cloth starts with fragile hairlike fiber strands from the leaves of pineapples that are then woven into unique high quality cloth of intricate designs and sold to not only international textile and design mills, but to the high society in the Philippines Islands as well.
From sophisticated hand weaving techniques like "ringgue" (lattice affect) and "saeanigo" (twill weave), to specialty hand embroidery like "sombra" or flower designs which have become a dying skill, these lost techniques are seeing a revival through modernized replications done in manufacturing plants and made into wearable textiles for mainstream consumers.
Traditionally used in high-end garments like wedding gowns, the finer than hair yet stiff fibers carry their own natural sheen, are easy to wash, and don't require dry cleaning. Talk about eco-friendly. Pina cloth has also earned a niche as one of the worlds finest traditional crafts comparable only to China silk, Belgium lace, and Italian leather. More recently, a mixture of silk and pinya (the so called 'pinya-seda') has also been produced, making the humble beginnings of the pineapple seem like a Cinderella story.
References:
Labels: eco-friendly-fabric, go-green, natural-fibers, organic-fabric, pina-cloth, pina-seda, pineapple-cloth
When I was a child, one of my favorite field day games at my school was the sack race. I remember the thrill of pairing up with my best friend as we climbed into that woven beige colored bag that would soon become our mode of transpo in a race to the finish line. Though somewhat rough to the touch, the burlap material I knew back then is not too different from the one that I use today for my unique one of a kind handcrafted bags. The difference, a little less abrasive, a little more color selection.
Tough enough to be used as a building material and loose enough to place over the ground as a weed barrier, burlaps versatility and potential are as endless as the artists imagination. From flexible draping paper and decorative wall hangings, rug backings and decorative dollies, record of burlap use dates back from the biblical days, all the way up to modern times. Its durable yet flexible nature makes it a great fabric for a wide array of uses.
A natural fabric made from jute, hemp or flax fibers, burlap is grown all over Asia and Central America. It prevents soil erosion, promotes plant life, and acts as a natural soil enhancer. On the go-green sustainable planet scene, burlap is recyclable and may one day surpass cotton as the most used natural fiber. In the meantime, post consumer burlap composts create a constantly renewable product that increases soil fertility rather than depleting it.
Weave it, wet it, embroider it, shred it, braid it, mold it, stretch it, fold it.....With so many positive attributes and usage techniques, burlap offers some great crafting ideas for the decorator, seamstress, agriculturalist, and artist in all of us.
Top Ten Burlap Craft Ideas1. Use loose weaved burlap as a carpet backing.
2. Embroider with fabric scraps, yarn and other odds and ends to create beautiful wall hangings.
3. Shred into paper pulp and add to paint for a textured look on any surface
4. Sew up ends for a rustic and natural window dressing.
5. Lay over lawn to encourage grass growth.
6. Wet into a paper mache like texture to make bowls, vases, and sculptures
7. Laminate on card stock to make beautiful cards and paper art.
8. Stretch fine weave burlap on a frame to make a textured canvas for art.
9. Braid or weave strands and add beads for creative jewelry.
10. Sew up to make cute satches for potpourri or jewelry.
11. Create a potato sack.
12. Line and paint to make unique back packs and hand bags.
13. Line to make fun hats.
14. Leave raw and create great recyclable shopping bags
15. Sew up sides for a good old fashion sack race.
Whatever you are inspired to do with burlap, have fun doing it!
See all of our Burlap Fabric
View our Drapery FabricView our Upholstery Fabric View our Burlap Fabric
Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: burlap, burlap-craft-ideas, burlap-crafts, eco-friendly-fabric, go-green, natural-fabric, sack-races
Have you ever been to a clothing swap? If you haven't you are really missing out on not only some great fun, but some great finds.
I was invited to my first one from a girlfriend of mine who shops at a private design boutique called
Simply Netfah. It is a specialty boutique that carries beautiful wholistic clothing and accessories for women and every spring they hold a gathering at their place where invited clients gather among good food and good company, to exchange old and unwanted articles of clothing from their closets for new ones. It is the boutique owner's way of giving back to Mother Earth through the encouragement of clothing recycling and sustaining her community through barter exchange.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and when my girlfriend and I got there, it was packed! Women from around the city had come to not only discover hidden treasures on the racks of wore-only-once and what-was-i-thinking fashions, but to unload their haute couture filled closets to make room for more. It was a smorgasbord of 'oooh's' and 'aaahs' as we both hung our once trendy give aways up for interested viewers.
By the end of the afternoon, I had found a beautiful white Ashro convertible Goddess Dress, a pair of Steve Madden beaded leather flip flops and three Simply Netfah designer's cut originals, all for the price of, well, you guessed it...
FREE! One woman's trash really IS another woman's treasure. By recycling old clothing I saved time from having to shop all over town which reduced the cost of gas fare on my pocket and fuel pollution in the air, I reduced the need for manufacturers to use up more natural resources to make new garments, and I saved a whole lot of money too. Who would have thought helping to save the planet would be so much fun!
So, gather your friends and family and hold your own clothing exchange, or hop on the world wide web to see how you can play your part in making the place we call home a healthier and more sustainable place for all Earth's creatures. I guarantee it will be worth it.
Check out our selection of organic Bermuda bamboo fabric here!Check out our selection of soft kona cotton here!Check out our selection of new sea-tiva fabric here!Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: eco-friendly, eco-friendly-fabric, economical, frugal, kona-cotton, organic-cotton, organic-fabric, organic-materials, recycled goods, seacell, seacell-fabric, unconventional