Use Kitchen Leftovers to Improve Your Garden

If you enjoy sewing clothes for yourself and others, and you wish to lend a hand at leaving a decreased carbon footprint in the process, you may want consider the usage of eco-friendly materials. There are several fabrics you can purchase that are woven without the use of harmful chemicals in the process. While most eco-friendly fabrics still require the use of water, energy, and land for production, they still eliminate the use of harmful pollutants. Here are some eco-friendly fabric choices you may wish to try with your next project.

Organic Cotton

Traditional cotton is susceptible to all types of pest invasions. Because of this, most cotton fields are laden with a high dosage of pesticides to help save the crops. When choosing organic cotton, you are helping the environment by selecting a material made without needing to add harsh chemicals to the soil to grow it. When selecting organic cotton, stay away from those with chemical dyes for the most natural fabric possible. Organic cotton is usually light brown, light green or cream-colored. If you would like to color your material, use a vegetable dye before or after stitching your articles.

Peace Or Vegan Silk

The luxurious, smooth fabric made from silk is not synthetically processed. It is derived from the silk worm and woven into a silky fabric many enjoy. Environmentalists use "peace" or "vegan" silk, which is the material made from silk worm casings. This fabric is considered completely eco-friendly as the silk worms are not harmed in any way. The casings are used after the worms turn into moths and vacate. Silk can be naturally dyed to give it a bit of coloring.

Wool And Cashmere

Organic alpaca and sheep wool is made from the animals' fleece without the use of toxic chemical treatments. The end-product is a soft material that has natural flame resistance. Cashmere is processed by removing the bottom under-layers of hair from Kashmir goats. This material used to be only obtained through import from the Himalayan mountain region, but is now found worldwide. 

When purchasing wool or cashmere, make sure the fabric is a pure form and not one blended with polyester or other chemically treated material. To have a truly environmentally friendly material, it should also be free of color additives. Pure wool and cashmere will last for a lifetime if cared for properly, making it a great material for those wishing to help the environment.

Visit your local fabric store to find the right eco-friendly fabric for your next project.