How to choose your fabric in an eco-friendly way?
For several years now, climate change has become an increasing concern. We are becoming more and more aware of the urgency to adopt an eco-responsible lifestyle, and the world of sewing is no exception. By the way, did you know that what sets NON NON OUI apart from other fabric stores is its commitment to offering environmentally friendly products? Indeed, the store favors natural fibers and eco-responsible fabrics. To make informed choices, it is important to know what we are buying.
Some examples of fibers to choose
Linen: The noble and ecological fiber
Linen is one of the oldest and most durable fabrics in the world. Its cultivation requires very little water, no artificial irrigation, and no pesticides. Moreover, all parts of the flax plant are used, which reduces waste. Linen is also hypoallergenic and biodegradable, making it an ideal choice for sensitive people and those concerned about the environment.Organic cotton: Softness guaranteed
Organic
cotton is grown without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Farmers adopt environmentally friendly agricultural practices, which leads to reduced soil, water, and air pollution. In addition to being soft to the touch, organic cotton is fully biodegradable, making it a sustainable choice for everyday clothing.Lyocell TENCEL®: An innovative and respectful alternative
Lyocell
from the TENCEL® brand is a specific variant of lyocell produced by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. Lyocell from the TENCEL® brand is a fiber made from wood pulp sourced from sustainable forests, such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified plantations. The production process of Lyocell TENCEL® is closed-loop, meaning the solvent is recovered and reused over 99% of the time. This significantly reduces water and energy consumption compared to traditional viscose.Lyocell TENCEL® is also biodegradable and very soft on the skin, making it an ideal option for people with allergies. This fiber is classified as an artificial fabric.ECOVERO Viscose: A step further towards eco-responsibility Ecovero
viscose
is a type of ecological and sustainable viscose also produced by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. This viscose was developed as a more environmentally friendly alternative. Its production uses a more sustainable manufacturing process, with a significant reduction in carbon emissions and water consumption compared to conventional viscose. According to Lenzing AG, the production of Ecovero viscose generates up to 50% less carbon emissions and uses about 50% less water.Why favor natural and/or eco-responsible fibers over synthetic fibers?You may have noticed that some fibers are not sold at
Even though polyester fabrics, for example, may seem attractive, especially due to their lower cost, they are often less comfortable, less durable, and much more harmful to the environment. Indeed, their production requires a lot of water and petroleum. The toxic gases released during their production can be harmful to the health of those who manufacture them. Once in our drawers, these synthetic fibers continue to pollute during washing, as they release microplastic particles that can notably reach the oceans. The same applies at the end of their life during decomposition. By choosing a natural or eco-responsible fiber like
organic fleeceNON NON OUI. instead of synthetic polar fleece, for example, one chooses a fiber produced with better respect for the environment and that will not produce polluting microplastics throughout its life. When our budget allows, turning to natural or eco-responsible fibers becomes an obvious choice. That said, the production of some natural fibers can also be harmful to the environment if certain measures are not taken during their production. For this reason, it is preferable to choose fabrics certifying some control during manufacturing, such as Oeko-Tex certified fabrics, organic fabrics, or even better, GOTS certified fabrics, which the store also favors.Oeko-Tex certified fabricsWhen it comes time to make clothing, among other things, it is important to look for fabrics that at least have the Oeko-Tex certification. This guarantees consumers that a control has been carried out during the fabric's manufacturing to ensure it does not contain chemicals harmful to human health such as pesticides, carcinogenic dyes, or heavy metals. The absence of pesticides in the production of these fabrics also makes them a better choice for the environment.
Organic fabrics
In addition to guaranteeing consumers that the fibers do not contain harmful substances for health and the environment, organic fabrics are made of natural fibers that have been grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Their production therefore requires less water and causes fewer greenhouse gases than regular cotton production, for example. Since these fibers have not undergone other chemical transformations besides dyeing, they are generally more durable and softer to the touch.
GOTS certified fabrics
GOTS certified fabrics represent the best choice because, in addition to having the characteristics of fabrics made from organic fibers, they include ethical considerations for workers and ecological manufacturing throughout the production chain. In other words, by purchasing these fabrics, one ensures they were produced under adequate working conditions, that no person, including children, was exploited, and that workers received a fair wage for producing them.
All in all, it is important to make informed choices when it comes time to buy our fabrics. With all the time we put into our creations, it is necessary that the products sewn by our hands are of better quality and much more durable than what can be found in big-box stores. When it comes time to place a new order, if I can do my part, it is an obvious choice for me to turn to the fabrics offered by
Sources used:WARNING! Shops selling fabrics are not allowed to use the GOTS certification on their website, since the license belongs to the wholesaler who sells the fabrics. However, please note that the majority of organic fabrics at NON NON OUI do indeed have this certification.
https://youmiwi.com/blogs/youmiwi/pourquoi-preferer-les-fibres-naturelles-aux-fibres-synthetiquesNON NON OUI!
https://www.marques-de-france.fr/definition/oeko-tex/
https://youmiwi.com/blogs/youmiwi/why-prefer-natural-fibers-over-synthetic-fibers