Fabric length; colorgrown organic cotton, "Geometrics", by NearSea Naturals, 2008. Design consists of an intricately woven geometric pattern in shades of tan and off-white.
As people have become more environmentally conscious, textile producers are turning to more eco-friendly methods to manufacture fabric and clothing. Textiles have a major effect on the earth, from the pesticides used to grow cotton, to the oil needed to create polyester, to discarded fast-fashion apparel that ends up in landfills. Decreasing pollutants and cutting down on waste are important steps some companies and individuals are taking to reduce their carbon footprint. The dyes that we use today (and since the mid-19th century) in industrially produced textiles are chemically based and are known pollutants of our waterways.
Cotton is the most commonly used natural fiber. Although these plants are big water guzzlers, cotton producers are beginning to use less water and fewer pesticides thanks to improved technology for monitoring crops, more targeted pesticides, and genetically modified plants. An alternative to conventional cotton is organic cotton, which is increasingly popular in fashion and home furnishings. Organic farming yields smaller crops but eliminates the need for pesticides, which harm the soil and seep into the ground water. Organic cotton producers have also explored the environmental impact of dyes. One method of achieving colorful products requires no dyeing at all. Color-grown cotton actually grows naturally in a wide range of colors from white to green to red to brown. Simple techniques of boiling and washing the cotton in different pH balances will reveal varying intensities and variations of color in this type of cotton. This textile is an example of this increasingly popular naturally colored cotton cloth, which has both apparel and furnishings applications.
Dimensions: 60” L x 38” W
ATHM Collection: 1100.217; Gift of Near Sea Naturals