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5 Fab Fabrics from Unusual Sources

We talk a lot about sustainable fabrics around here, both as part of our Fab Fabrics series and when we’re sharing tutorials. A quick scan through our archives turns up the usual suspects: hemp, organic cotton, recycled felt, jute, linen, and – of course – vintage fabrics. But every once in a while we run across a fabulous fabric that’s from more of an offbeat source.

Fab Fabrics: Waterproof Lotus Flower Fabric

Finding sustainable, waterproof fabric can be tricky. Even recycled synthetics contain quite a bit of new plastic in addition to the recycled content. That’s why I was super excited to learn about a brand new waterproof fabric made from lotus flower stems. The fabric is a blend of lotus flower fibers and silk, and it’s sustainable and waterproof!

Fab Fabrics: Hemp/Organic Cotton Prints from Sara Lee Parker Textiles

Sara Lee Parker Textiles is an Athens, GA-based company that creates hand screen-printed organic textiles.

She was also featured in the Georgia edition of Southern Living Magazine this June, so if you live in Georgia, check it out! Parker runs her textile company with her husband, and she was kind enough to do a little Q&A with us about what she does, why she does it, and what working so closely with your husband is like.

Fab Fabrics: Undyed Hemp Fabric

We got a note from a reader recently who is looking to switch to an eco-friendly option for her hand-dyed and printed fabrics. The trouble is, she couldn’t track down a source for undyed eco-fabrics.

Fab Fabrics: The Organic Mamas

Melissa Lovell started The Organic Mamas back in 2004 when she had her first baby and realized that she didn’t want her child exposed to the chemicals associated with conventional fabrics.

Recycled Felt Journal Cozy with Pen Holder

Fab Fabrics: Recycled Felt + 4 Felt Projects

Whether we’re talking felted wool from reclaimed sweaters or Kunin’s Eco-fi made from recycled plastic bottles, crafting with recycled felt is a great way to lighten your DIY footprint.

Fab Fabrics: LinenMe

Lithuanian designer Inga’s beautiful linen fabrics are inspired by traditional methods from her home country.

Fab Fabrics: A 2010 Retrospective

Can you believe it’s 2011 already? Just last week, January seemed so far away. One of the things I love about the first of the year is that you get a chance to look back on a year’s worth of work and accomplishments. So, why not take a peek at the fabulous fabrics we rounded up in 2010?

Fab Fabrics: Bike Inner Tubes

You might not think of a bike inner tube as a fabric, but you can use the rubber as a great, durable textile! Most bike shops just toss blown out tubes once they’ve finished the repair, so there’s a good chance you can score some inner tubes for free if you hit up your local bike shop and ask them to save some for you.

Free and totally recycled? Sounds fab to me!

Fab Fabrics: Modal Made From Beechwood

Have you guys heard of Modal fabric? It’s made using pulp from beechwood, and a lot of folks are touting it right now as an eco-friendly alternative to more conventional rayons.

Fab Fabrics: Vintage Lovelies from RetroLabs

We love vintage fabrics around here. Not only does crafting with vintage materials divert waste from the landfill, your materials basically have zero impact remaining at this point, since they were produced and discarded so long ago. I love the way the right piece of vintage cotton or bark cloth can add a touch of personality to a sewing project.

Fab Fabrics: Vintage Finds from JoonE

You know we love vintage fabrics around here. Second hand supplies make it easy as pie to be eco-friendly. Sure, they may have had a sizable footprint when they were created, but by crafting with gently used vintage fabrics, you’re giving that fabric a new life and diverting the waste from the landfill.

Fab Fabrics: Repurposed Denim

We’ve talked before about the high impact from denim production. While there are more sustainable denim options out there, the most eco-friendly option is probably second hand denim. Here are some tips for how to find and repurpose gently-used denim.

Fab Fabrics: More Burlap Love

Burlap is not just an eco-friendly fabric option, it’s also inexpensive and sometimes even free! Many coffee shops receive bulk coffee orders in burlap sacks and are happy to give extras away. Here are some tips for sewing with burlap and an added eco-friendly bonus.

Fab Fabrics: Sustainable Denim from Clariant

We’ve talked about denim’s planetary impact and even explored some eco-friendly denim alternatives before, so you can imagine how happy I was to run across a new company offering Earth friendly denim!

Fab Fabrics: Vintage Finds from Paula’s Patchwork

Paula has been a crafter since she was a kid and has a love for all things vintage. She’s very environmentally conscious in her crafting. You can really see that love come through in her carefully-chosen vintage fabric bundles.

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