Cotton

Cotton is a soft fibre that grows in balls around the seeds of cotton plants.  Grown in tropical and sub tropical areas around the world, the fibre is picked and spun into yarn to create soft, breathable textiles.  Cotton is;

• Natural
• Breathable
• Odour Resistant
• Easy Care
• Strong and Tough
• Soft and Absorbant
• No Pilling
• Stretchy (Jersey)

There are many different types of cotton that I found on Cottoninc.com so rather than write them all out here’s a link with a glossary of terms www.thefabricofourlives.com/learn-about-cotton/types-of-cotton

The use of cotton is vast from homewares and fashion to industry and building, where old denim jeans are processed and used for home insulation, (blue jeans go green).  A lot of work has been done recently to make cotton more sustainable by not wasting any by-products and creating packaging, animal feeds and bio fuels.  They have been working on water wastage and land usage and processing to create a more environmentally friendly product because as our consumer appetite has increased for cotton, so has the land and resources needed to cope with it.

 

 

Wool

Wool

• A natural product
• Biodegradable
• An Insulator
• Breathable
• Resilient and Elastic
• Trans Seasonal
• Easy Care*
• Odour Resistant
• Safe
• Provides natural UV Protection

Wool is a protein fibre formed in the skin of a sheep and is 100% natural, it is also renewable, as every year a sheep will produce a new fleece.  The ‘ecological’ properties of this fibre don’t stop there as it also can be returned to the soil and it will decompose in a relatively short space of time, making it a biodegradable product that doesn’t harm the environment.

Wool is a ‘hygroscopic’ fibre, which means as humidity in the air rises and falls, the fibre releases water vapour.  Heat is generated and retained during the absorption pase making it a really good insulator.  The structure of wool fibres are crimped and when they are tightly packed together they form millions of tiny pockets of air.  This structure is what allows it to absorb and release moisture, either from the air or from the perspiration of the wearer – without compromising ts thermal efficiency.  Wool has the capacity to absorb moisture vapour of that up to 30% of its own weight making it extremely breathable.

The strength of wool fibres mean that it is very resilient and resistant to tearing.  They are able to be bent back on themselves up to 20,000 times without breaking.  Due to the crimped structure of the fibres it has the ability to stretch comfortably and return to shape so can be worn without sagging and wrinkling.  It also retains liquids well so is great for dyeing and rich colours can be produced which are colourfast.

The waxy coating on wool fibres make them stain resistant and anti-static (less dust) and *recent innovations mean that some products can be machine washed and tumble dried making them very easy care.

The Campaign for Wool is a global initiative to raise awareness of wool in all its forms and its usefulness and renewable benefits in fashion, homeware and the textile industry.  Patron HRH The Prince of Wales.

www.campaignforwool.org

#LoveWool

The Wool Lab is a seasonal guide to new trends in the best wool fabrics and yarns available in the world.  It showcases samples of fabrics commercially available for the textile industry.  Its aims are to inspire and influence emerging artists, fashions and trends.  Presented at trade shows and created alongside some of the worlds best spinners and weavers fusing tradition with contemporary practice it is produced seasonally Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer.  Taking the form of mood boards with samples, photography and colour swatches it aims to promote the latest innovations in Merino Wool.

• Wool products that feel soft on the skin
• UV protection
• Aromatherapy
• Merino Touch ( luxury at a fraction of the cost )
• Casualisation of fashion trends

Merino Wool is extremely hardwearing so a perfect choice for home interiors, including upholstery, carpets, floor coverings, curtains aswell as sleepwear, blankets, cushions and throws.  Due to its beautiful next to skin softness and drape when a product is produced it is a fabulous fibre for fashion designers and the high end luxury market.  It also has great elasticity so can be knitted or woven for statement pieces and fashion garments.