The Sustainable Magic of Crypton Green

As concerns surrounding global warming and climate change continue to grow, consumers and textile manufacturers are making more of an effort to play their respective part in altering the negative impact textile industry processes can have on the environment. By reducing their carbon footprints  and supporting more sustainable fabrics and practices, its a win-win for all!. Enter the sustainable magic of Crypton Green fabric

What Is Sustainable Fabric?

5 Things Novice DIYers Need To Succeed

5 things novice DIYers need to succeed

courtesy andrea piacquadio

 

From struggling millenniums and independent ladies, to seasoned craftsmen and ambitious weekend warriors, over the last several years ‘Do It Yourselfer’s have been growing in numbers. In fact, the once labeled DIY ‘trend’ has become less of a simple money saving notion, and more of an empowering, value-driven movement. A movement inspired by the mindset of self-sufficiency and sustainability. A movement that according to Venveo DIY marketing trend reports,  is here to stay for awhile.  With this in mind, we want to share our list of five things novice DIYers need to succeed as they research, start, work through, and complete their DIY projects… no matter how big or small.

Industrial Hemp: One Of The Most Eco-Friendly Fabrics In The World

 

With the popularity in and demand for Industrial Hemp on the rise, everyone from fabric manufacturers, sustainable textile advocates and designers, to artisans, young entrepreneurs, and DIY crafters are discovering creative ways to cash in on the cannabis crop. But what is all the buzz about? And what are the benefits of this strand of hemp?

Industrial Hemp comes from the same Cannabis Sativa family of plants as its more notable female cousin, CBD Hemp…aka Mary Jane. The main difference between Industrial Hemp and CBD Hemp is that Industrial Hemp contains only traces of the psychoactive THC that has made its cousin famous. What makes Industrial Hemp special however, is what’s hidden in its fibers.

Who Will Save The Slow-Furnishing Industry?

With a fast-furnishing trend influencing consumer purchase of cheaply made and inexpensively priced home fittings, a demand for a more eco-sustainable, value-driven way of decorating our homes simmers on the back burner, awaiting its (re)turn to the forefront again. Enter the scrappers, grassroots DIY’ers, experienced artisans, seasoned wood-crafters, and novices of slow-furnishing in the making.

Like fast-fashion, fast-furnishing offers seemingly fashionable furniture that is quickly produced using cheap materials. Often times it is manufactured overseas where exploited workers from underprivileged countries are paid pennies to produce, and the price tags left hanging once stateside offer a great look at a great price, along with a guilt-free disposable mentality.  What more could a style conscious consumer on a budget want, right?

The Four ‘R’s of Eco-Friendly Upholstering

eco-friendly upholstering

 

When we consider some of the eco-friendly upholstering terms used by craftsmen in the field , there are certain ones that have served our planet long before the  Go Green Movement began. Just as they have served us then, they continue to serve us now and into the future. If we let them. From RE-purposing and RE-finishing to RE-upholstering and RE-storation, at  J&O-Summerdale Fabrics we are always finding old and new ways to make use of some of such life saving options when it comes to fabric textiles and furnishings. Below are the top four  ‘R’s’ of  Eco-Friendly Upholstering defined. We know they will surely continue to gain popularity on the tongue and use over time.  After all, Mother Earth is depending on it.

From Fungi to Fashion.

 

'Mushroom dress' created by Dutch textile designer Aniele Hoitink. Courtesy Aniela Hoitink / Neffa

At first glance Dutch textile designer Aniele Hoitink’s ‘Mushroom Dress’ looks to be made of some kind of light tissue lame or crushed sheer, but mushrooms? What’s next!?

Known as ‘muskin’, this leather like material is made from spores extracted from the upper button or ‘hat’ of the phellinus ellipsoideus mushroom through a process similar used for animal leather but without the use of tanning toxins or other chemicals, making it 100% natural. In addition to the material from the hat, the fleshy underpart, or root of the mushroom yields a fine, thread-like fabric of cells called mycelium. Found in several other variety of mushrooms, this wearable fiber has been weaved to create everything from clothing to accessories.

J&O Fabrics Top 10 Fabric Recycling Centers

Doing a bit of spring cleaning and finally ready to purge some of your unwanted fabric but don’t know where or how to start? No worries, we’ve searched out some organizations helping to play their part in saving Mother Earth from overcrowded textile landfills by providing fabric recycling centers in their communities and nationwide. Use them as a platform to get you out the starting block. While some places offer cash in exchange, others simply offer the satisfaction of knowing your undesirable textiles will stay out of landfills as they find a new home and purposeful work to fulfill.

 

J&O Best Practices for Textile Waste Reduction

Looking to play your part in becoming an environmental steward by assisting in textile waste reduction? Here are some simple things you can start doing today to reduce your sewing waste and environmental impact into our tomorrows.

  • When shopping for pattern fabric, BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED
  • MAXIMIZE PATTERN POSITIONING ON YOUR FABRIC LAYOUT BEFORE CUTTING. Make full use of every inch of the fabric without jeopardizing the integrity of the garment once construction begins.
  • MEASURE TWICE. CUT ONCE. Avoid material waste because of careless cuts.

DIY Reusable Sandwich Bag Craft Project

 

In one of our previous posts inspiring our readers to turn their fabric scraps and rems into quick and easy crafts that can be gifted or sold, we shared 50 cool ideas to wet the creative palate. Today we’d like to take a moment to focus on one of them….the DIY reusable sandwich bags.

J&O Fabrics Celebrates Earth Day Throughout April.

jandofabrics earth day

April 22 2018  marks the 48th birthday of  Earth Day, an annual cause celebrated worldwide where various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Numerous communities also celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on the environmental issues that the world faces as a whole. In recognition of a cause that affects us all, J&O fabrics will be dedicating our April blogs to sustainability and go-green efforts within the textile industry in an attempt to raise awareness, create conversation, and inspire us to each play our part.