Organic Cotton Quilting Fabric, Safe Dyes & Finishes, Fair Trade, Etc.
 

Personally, I'm becoming more and more concerned about the fabrics that I am using for my quilts. While I love to use scraps, especially from old, vintage fabrics, I still buy new fabrics for my projects. Sometimes, when I get them home, the smell of them, alone, just about knocks me out of the house. The dyes and finishes that they use can't always be good for people, or the environment. I would like to use more environmentally sound, socially responsible fabrics. Does anyone here use only organic fabrics? What about fabrics that are dyed with safe, natural dyes and finishes? What about Fair Trade fabrics? Let's open up the discussion!

~ Cindy

I wash my fabrics when I get them home. That takes care of the sizing, finishes, and smells. If I had to wait until I located "organic" and "fair trade", I wouldn't be able to quilt!

I have been discovering some online stores that sell organic, cotton, quilt fabrics, batting, thread, etc. Most of their sale prices are very reasonable, while a few of their latest collections are outrageously priced. My point is, they're out there. Has anyone had any experience ordering from them? How is the fabric quality? What about international fabrics that fall under "Fair Trade?"

~ Cindy

If by "organic" you mean cotton that was grown without any type of pesticides, I would be very surprised to find that any cotton could be labeled as such. I lived in west Texas cotton country, and all the cotton crops were sprayed with pesticides and with an exfoliator (kills the leaves on the plants). Since the cotton is washed during processing, I don't worry about it being organic. Dyes would be another matter, but I have been making my own clothes since I was 12 (and now I'm 60), and haven't had any problems with dyes in all those years. I do know that some people are sensitive to dyes, but they are not the majority. With the push to "go green", it has become a fad to label things as "green" or "organic". I would just say, buyer beware. And is it really that important to you when throwing it in the washer when you get it home will solve the problem.

With all due respect, there are already lots of organic cotton products out there these days and organic cotton farms are pretty easy to find in California, as well as other parts of the world. So, organic cotton is not all that uncommon and I certainly don't consider it a fad, by any means.

Personally, I have to look at the total process and the environmental consequences of using pesticides vs. going organic. They may get washed out in the washing machine, but where do they go then? Where does the pesticide go when the farmer puts it on his crops? What is the company supplying the pesticide being used? Does that company create a monopoly on that crop and it's future seed with GMOs?

It's my personal choice to shop for organic products. I'm not trying to be preachy...to each her own. I just want more feedback and information about organic quilting fabrics.

~ Cindy

I would like to point out that arsenic is organic, and is used in organic farming. Where does IT go when the washing machine is done? Just sayin'.

I'm washing a load of material right now. I'm using it for packing material, so it can move with me, upon unpacking it will all be washed.

I will watch this thread. I notice a smell on one of the latest materials I picked up.

I know there is a place in NC that grows cotton, that is sold locally, and turned into tshirts . . . I read it in my monthly power company co-op magazine. I am union power, the magazine is Carolina Country. I tried to find it, but I am dial up =((.

somewhere to start . . . ??

Fabric is not worth my worrying about if it is organic or not.