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 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.
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Labels: eco-friendly-fabric, go-green, natural-fibers, organic-fabric, pina-cloth, pina-seda, pineapple-cloth
 In the world of go-green eco-friendly fabrics, bamboo, hemp, and organic cottons rank on top of the popular fibers that most people know list. But just like any exposed treasure, it is only a matter of time before the possible risk of overconsumption and resource depletion start to creep into reality. With this unfortunate pattern of abuse in mind, scientists and researchers are always looking for new fiber sources and improved methods of sustainable processing. The goal being to provide an all natural and preferrably organic fiberous material that can be used in the textile industry for the use in garments, interior decorating and upholstered goods. One boutiful source of not only alternative nutritional supplements, but fiberous material as well, is the ocean. Still a vast resource full of marine life, plant life, and mystery, the ocean has given birth to several organic fibers used today in fabrics such as seacell and water hyacinth. Raw water hyacinth stalk fibers are being researched for use in the manufacturing of clothing and home fabrics. The stalks have been tested through a series of chemical and mechanical treatments to achieve the crimp like property of wool for better processing, reduction in the plants gummy content, and softening of the fibers to make them fine and fit for knitting and weaving. Blends of 80/20 and 63/35 of polyester/water hyacinth fibers were ideal for home textiles such as curtains, upholstery, table cloths and bedding. Water hyacinth fabric is not available on the market yet, but keep your eyes open for this innovative step in sustainable apparel technology. In the meantime, visit us online for selected organic fabrics just in time for the upcoming season. organic bamboo fabric organic kona cotton fabric organic sea-cell fabric
Posts by J&O Fabric StoreLabels: go-green, go-green-gina, natural-fabric, Organic, organic-fabric, water-hyacinth, water-hyacinth-material
 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
 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
 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
 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
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