Our organic fabric category is really becoming so popular. We now have a really complete assortment in this line, from organic cotton jersey up through our new organic cotton sherpa. We have even been able to get some organic knit prints. It is not easy sourcing these fabrics, but we have a dedication to bringing you an organic line of quality fabrics to serve your sewing needs from a green perspective!
As you can see, we have been hard at work expanding the site with all sorts of new things. We have already added foe and elastics. There is now some Aplix, and other trims. By the end of next week our PUL should be here as well as our new assortment of stay dry materials.
We are fully stocked on our bamboo fabrics, we are now one of the only places stocking the heavy bamboo fleece. Which is proving to be a hard thing to keep in stock. We have a great product range of the bamboo fabrics, and they are top quality and we are continuing to improve them.
We have expanded our cotton velour line as well. Last count we had 77 colors/prints of cotton velour. From the very basic natural cotton velour to our heavy stripe cotton velour and all the choices in between, we are full!
Be sure to sign up for our mailing list to be included in all the inside information. We don’t send a ton of mail, 2-3 letters a month maybe.
I wanted to take some time this week to fill you on the information I have about bamboo fabric! We see this fabric everywhere, but many of you wonder what the rage is? And is it founded?
Here are some basic bamboo facts!
• Bamboo is grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers
• Bamboo requires no irrigation
• Bamboo rarely needs replanting
• Bamboo grows rapidly and can be harvested in 3-5 years
• Bamboo produces 35% more oxygen that an equivalent stand of trees
• Bamboo is a critical element in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• Bamboo is an excellent soil erosion inhibitor
Additionally, bamboo fabric is breathable, thermal regulating, wicks moisture better than polyester performance fabrics, will resist odor and is absorbent and fast drying keeping you dryer and more comfortable than any cotton or polyester fabrics.
But what about the chemicals used in bamboo production????
The main chemical used in the processing is sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda. Caustic soda is one of the most widely used chemicals in the world. It is used in food production, soap making, manufacturing of bio diesel, production of paper, and is used on nearly all cotton fabrics, including organic cotton, during wet processing. Caustic soda is approved for use on textiles under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
While caustic soda is a strong chemical it poses no health hazard if used and disposed of properly.
The fiber should be produced in a ‘closed loop’ system where 100% of the sodium hydroxide and 74% of the carbon disulphide is recovered and recycled for further use.
Is this information true of all bamboo fabrics and suppliers? NO, bamboo can vary wildly from supplier to supplier. Be sure to shop around for the very best quality you can find! What makes it different? The first possibility would be that the fiber that was used is the mechanically produced variety, which does not produce a soft fabric, as opposed to the chemically produced type, which produces a very soft fabric.
In addition, even if the fiber was of the chemically produced variety, other factors can dramatically impact the softness of the finished fabric, as they can with any fiber. The type of yarn, open end or ring spun is a major contributing factor to how a fabric feels. Ring spinning causes the fibers to lay down in a parallel fashion, where open end yarns tend to have more fibers that have exposed ends, making that yarn less soft to the touch than ring spun.
Finally, during wet processing (the scouring/bleaching/dyeing and finishing process) many variables exist. Some of those could certainly result in a change in the hand on the fabric. A pH level that is too high, temperatures exceeding the limits of the fiber, any surface applications such as anti-curling agents, flame retardants, softeners, etc.; any of these could impact the look and the feel of the finished fabric.
Be confident in your use of bamboo, nothing is softer, squishier, and more comfortable against the skin!
Big week this week for the bamboo fabric division. 350 yards of fabric are on the way! Bamboo double terry, bamboo fleece, bamboo interlock and bamboo terry among others. Have you seen the complete line up? Be sure to check out our offerings at Nature’s Fabrics.
Our wholesale division is working on the newest supplies for your business. We are finding that we run short every month on rolls bamboo fabric. If you know what you will need for our May delivery, please drop us a note and let us know so we can work on your order for you.
We have noticed in the last deliveries that we don’t have the goods left for walk in traffic that we normally have. We want to be in stock for your needs.
Our bamboo supply for May 10 has the following items available.
2 rolls of bamboo heavy fleece
2 rolls of bamboo fleece
3 rolls of bamboo stretch fleece
1 roll of bamboo double terry
4 rolls of bamboo velour
2 rolls of bamboo loop terry
and 2 rolls of bamboo flannel.
We are expecting a good amount our hemp/cotton fleece, but if you want a roll, it might be good to reserve that as well.
You can get all of the information, pricing etc at Wholesale Natural Fabrics.
This shortage includes our wool blend interlock, which has already sold half through on the order due for May 15. If you are looking for the feltable wool blend interlock please send me an email so we do not oversell on this as well. We can be reached at sales@naturesfabrics.com or call us at 814-734-7137
