WHY ORGANIC COTTON?
100% Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is one of the most sustainable fabrics you can purchase, but what are the benefits of using this material in your dressmaking projects?
Organic cotton is grown in a way that uses methods and materials that lessen the impact on our environment, it doesn’t produce any harmful chemicals and the production also benefits soil rather than damaging it. Here at Fabrics Galore, we stock a range of 95% GOTS certified organic cotton fabrics for you to purchase. As doing our bit for the planet becomes more and more important, we thought we would turn our attention to our collection of organic cotton and highlight its importance for the future.
Environmentally friendly
Compared to other materials on the market, organic cotton is one of the most environmentally friendly options, as it does not have a harsh manufacturing process.
The production of organic cotton fabric uses less energy, releases fewer greenhouse gases and due to the improved soil quality, uses significantly less water.Based on Life Cycle Analysis, on average, by using organic methods a huge 1,982 gallons of water is saved per cotton t-shirt. If you are looking to be more considerate to the environment and conserve natural resources, purchasing organic cotton is the best option. According to Pesticide Action Network UK, although non-organic cotton crops account for only 2.4% of the world’s cultivated land, their production actually uses 6% of the world pesticides so it is important to purchase organic cotton where we can.
High-quality material
But enough of the science, what is organic cotton like to work with? Well, firstly, for clothing it is better for the skin and it’s hypoallergenic which makes these organic sweatshirt fabrics even better.
hey are cosy, cute and good for the skin too. It is easy to wear and work with, and the print designs have become progressively more stylish and contemporary, so you can create long-lasting, cost-effective organic cotton garments that you are guaranteed to fall in love with. Organic cotton is also a very strong and resilient material, so any garments you create will last longer, whilst looking great - so you won’t have to worry about sacrificing quality to shop more sustainably.
Fair working conditions for farmers and factory workers
Although this is not the case for every fabric supplier in the industry, there are farmers and factory workers across the globe that are struggling to survive under the harsh working conditions. However, by purchasing organic cotton which is GOTS certified, you know that the people who create your fabrics are paid a living wage and fairly compensated for their hard work. This certification does not only include environmental standards but also social standards. Here at Greenage, all of our fabrics are where possible, obtained from sustainable suppliers, and due to our wealth of experience in the industry, we have built relationships with these suppliers over generations and understand their methods are sustainable.
Better for sensitive skin
If you have bought fabrics in the past which have irritated your skin, organic cotton will be a better choice for you. It is known that various skin allergies relate directly to the chemicals used in non-organic cotton farming, so switching to more organic fabrics can help you see a significant improvement. Organic cotton products are softer and safer for the skin, as the fibres are much longer, compared to regular cotton. Its benefits for the skin also make it a better choice for baby clothes due to its softness and the lack of harmful chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Have we mentioned some of our wonderful children’s prints which are organic cotton?
Highly versatile
When using organic cotton fabrics in your dressmaking projects, you will be pleased to know that it is a very natural material which requires little care and is extremely versatile. You can choose to use organic cotton for almost any dressmaking garment, as the strength of the cotton fibres and threads are what makes them suitable for all different types of clothing. No matter whether you are looking to design t-shirts, summer dresses or blouses - organic cotton would be a perfect choice. If you just fancy doing your bit for the environment and making something for yourself, these pretty organic jerseys would make a lovely spring time t-shirt.