Sewing – Page 41

September 17, 2021

The Diverse and Wonderful World of Bralettes

The first word that comes to mind when thinking about bralettes is comfort. The key is “no underwire.” From lounging around to dressing up, there are a variety of options and occasions for wearing bralettes.

There are conversations about a certain disappointment after purchasing or trying on a beautiful bralette in a store or online, just to find out that the fit doesn’t work. The truth is that many of the ready-to-wear, mass-produced bralettes on the market are less than perfect when it comes to fit– especially for either small or large bra cups. However, with a little bit of interest in embarking on a sewing journey and finding a sewing pattern with a fit that works, bralettes can be made very quickly. According to the materials we choose and how inspired we get, we can end up with our own creation. A word of caution though; making bralettes can be addictive! So be prepared for making a few more for family, friends or even starting your own business venture!

This article is sponsored by Stitch Love Studio in celebration of National Sewing Month 2021.

A Bra With Personality

When we think about the versatility of a bralette, a few bralette types come to mind, each one with its own “personality”:

The “so comfortable” bralette
The cozy thought of getting home after a long day, changing into a favorite loungewear, removing the underwire bra, and reaching out for the cotton, modal, bamboo, tencel or any other soft fabric bralette to complete the experience. Ready to breathe deeper and sip on a warm cup of tea.

The ‘I’m cool” bralette
Made out of unusual materials, usually velvet or even shiny foil prints. These are all different options that will serve as a layering piece, like wearing it under a jacket.

The “romantic or fanciful” bralette
Lace, lace and lace. Also can be combined with stretch meshes or shiny, sparkly fabrics.

The “problem solver” bralette
Tops, dresses or jumpsuits with a low back neck or sheer tops. These are all pieces that can layer on top of a nice lacey, or cool bralette. Any fashion stylist will agree!

The “moody” bralette
It’s all about the prints! Tropical pineapple prints, cozy strawberry prints, funky bat prints, cute macaroon prints, superhero prints, dots, stripes, neon colors, pastel colors… you name it, they will all find the right fit.

Lingerie Sewing: Bralette Sewing Tips

The best news is that all of our bralettes can be made with the same pattern just by changing up the material.

Stitch Love Studio’s “Daisy” bralette pattern

The Daisy is a cute, comfy, easy to make and easy to wear lingerie piece. The long-line bralette features adjustable straps and lined seamed cups. Daisy was carefully designed to be versatile and provide you with subtle support while lounging, playing, sleeping, traveling or just going out.

Instructions include variations for a lengthened version for a bustier style, or can be converted to a one-piece back for more comfort. If using a lower stretch fabric, follow the variation with hook and eye. Use a cotton or bamboo spandex blend knit fabric for a cute look, lace with a stretch mesh for a romantic style, or stretch velvet to wear under a low cut tee or jacket. Create endless combinations and have fun!

The “Daisy” bralette pattern is available in a downloadable, easy to use, PDF chock full of easy to follow instructions, accompanied by colorful clear photos for every step, to guide you along in your bralette journey. Available in sizes ranging from XS-3XL.

Downloadable Sewing Patterns

As a proud sponsor of the 2021 National Sewing Month celebration, www.StitchLoveStudio.com is offering 20% off their entire line of Stitch Love Studio brand downloadable PDF patterns for ASG members. Visit the Members Only area of the ASG website to get the code.

~Stitch Love Studio

September 10, 2021

Sewing Machine: Using The Built-In Specialty Stitches

Have you looked at advertisements for new sewing machines lately? One boasts of 729 built-in stitches! The designs consist of holidays, seasonal references, geometrics, flowers, plants, bugs, scrolls, animals, lettering, and just about any topic you might be looking for. They are quite impressive, but where can they be used?

In this article, Beverly Betz and Rosemary Fajgier set out to not only find uses for these great designs, but also to explore their machines and find some of their little known features. Although these stitches can be found on traditional sewing machines, when using them, there are a few embroidery tips that should be followed.

Starting Out

First, begin with the proper foot installed on your machine. Some machines will indicate the foot by number or letter. Generally, this will be a foot that has a wider needle opening to allow the needle to move from side to side without hitting the foot and breaking. The second characteristic of the foot is on the underside. If you turn the foot over, you will see that the foot has a channel running from the needle opening to the back of the foot. This channel is especially important for those stitches that are dense and use more thread when created. The channel allows the extra space needed for the stitch to clear the foot without getting hung up under it.

Stabilize It

The extra stitches often overwhelm the fabric and cause it to pucker if not supported properly. To avoid this, use a stabilizer under the fabric. What kind of stabilizer? That depends on several factors:

Weight of the fabric—the lighter the fabric, the lighter the stabilizer
Use of the item—if it will be worn and laundered, use a cutaway, otherwise a tear-away may be used.

Which Thread?

Threads can make a big difference in the final appearance of the stitches. Embroidery threads have a glossy sheen to them and especially when contrasting colors are used, draw the eye to the stitching and make the design detail pop.

Tip: Before you begin stitching, always make sure you have enough thread on the bobbin to complete the line of stitching. Trying to realign your stitching once you change a bobbin is most frustrating!

Where to Use Them?

So where can these decorative stitches be used?

One of the more traditional ways is to use them for top-stitching — try placing them on hems or collars to give a bit of detail on the edges of garments or on home dec items like curtains.
If your machine has lettering capabilities, little kids love having their name stitched on the lining of their garment or as an accent around a pocket or other design detail It’s a great way to make that garment even more special because it will be personalized.
Lettering can also be used to upscale other items. For example, rather than using a plain black fabric for this Harry Potter pillow (right), randomly stitched character names on the fabric made it a one-of-a-kind pillow.
When putting in a zipper, top-stitching down the sides of the zipper gives a great accent and a pop of color.
Purse handles get attention when accented with specialty stitches.

Quilters have long used these kinds of stitches to accent crazy quilts and even bindings. In this tote bag, a number of different patterns were stitched down the centers of strips to give the tote an added detail. The stitches can be applied on the strips as a sewing detail or to quilt the layers together.

Just because we traditionally think of specialty stitches as long lines of stitching doesn’t mean that is the only way to use them. When this plain blue fabric got a new personality with embroidered snowflakes in a random pattern on the fabric. Note that some machines can be set to stitch single designs while others must be stopped manually after each motif. And instead of quilting in just straight lines, why not use the specialty stitches when you want to add a little creativity to plain fabric. Either way, it’s a great technique to use to create an all-over pattern or just a few random accents.

What’s on the Screen

The way the stitch appears on the machine screen and the way it looks when stitched out is sometimes very different. Therefore, it’s a good idea to test out the stitches to see if you like them before placing them on your finished project. Even doing test stitches can spur some creativity, as shown here by placing a number of designs together to create an overall pattern. Starting in the center with tiny blue eyelets, a wavy pattern was added and stitched down either side of the eyelets. Then a utility stitch in yellow resulted in a heavier braid effect. Rows of stitches continued to be added until a desired width was achieved. This design is now slated to become the front of a peasant-style blouse, but it could just as easily become a decorative pocket, or used on the front on a purse. You can even take a plain piece of fabric and fill it with your pattern to create an entirely new look to the fabric.

To get a good design, it is important to align each new row of stitching in relation to the last. The width of the presser foot makes a great spacer, as does marking a line with chalk that you can follow when stitching. And if you have a laser pointer on your machine, here is a great use of that feature. But if you don’t want to keep sewing in straight lines, how about stitching in curvy lines from various directions to create a totally unique pattern. Placing decorative stitches on fabric in random patterns gives the impression of an all-over print.

Some machines provide the same stitch in both a small and large size. If the large design requires the feed dogs to move the fabric horizontally to achieve that wider width, accurate alignment with preceding rows can be very difficult. It is better to start with the narrower designs when first stacking straight rows. The wider width ones are best used when straight lines are not necessary.

Some machines allow the user to flip or mirror image designs. Mirror imaging allows you to create more symmetrical designs and achieve a framing effect.

Change Up Your Design

Now that you have the basics, how else might you change up your design?

Variegated thread is an easy way to add different colors without having to change spools. Testing is critical when using variegated threads. Some of the dense, satin stitch designs just don’t translate well into these threads. They produce awkward bands of color, depending on the length of each color in the thread. Generally they create the best effects with light, airy stitches.
Check to see if your machine allows the use of a double needle for specialty stitches. The double needle allows the use of two colors and gives a shadow effect while stitching. Not all stitches can be done with a double needle, so check your particular machine manual.
Try using a double eyed needle — one needle allows thread from two different spools to be stitched at the same time within the same stitch. When the same color thread is used, it gives the effect of a heavier thread without the hassles of requiring a larger eyed needle. When different colors are used, you can choose the exact blend of colors and are not restricted to those on variegated spools. Because the two colors are always present, there is no banding like the variegated thread. The randomized twisting of the two threads also presents an ever changing effect in the stitching.

While creating a manual stitching pattern manually is time consuming, it’s not especially hard. And watching a pattern emerge is exciting and rewarding. While playing with her decorative stitches, Rosemary discovered that these same stitches could also be used in her embroidery mode on her machine. Using the embroidery mode took all the tedium out of trying to align the stitches and allowed more focus on the creativity of the patterns. But that’s another story. Look for Part 2, Using Decorative Stitches in the Hoop coming soon. Until then, give the manual method a try a see what you can create.

~Beverly Betz and Rosemary Fajgier

September 3, 2021

FAQ’s: Cleaning an Iron | Home Décor Fabric | Rotary Cutters

What’s the best way to clean my iron?

If you’re using fusible sewing products like webs, interfacings and stabilizers, there’s always that errant portion that finds its way to the soleplate of the iron. If you don’t take care of it right away, the fusible goo can transfer to the next thing you’re pressing and then it comes a bigger challenge to get the black stuff off the fabric.

If your iron has a non-stick soleplate, fusible adhesive can often be simply wiped off using a soft rag or paper towel. But, if your iron doesn’t have that feature, enlist the assistance of an iron cleaner available in the notions department of your fabric store. Usually in a tube, these cleaners just smear onto the soleplate surface of a warm iron, interact with the adhesive, and are gently wiped off with a cloth. They may smoke a bit in the process, but no worries—that’s just the product doing its work. Be sure to read and follow the product instructions.

Prefer a DIY option? Mix two parts baking soda and one part water to form a paste and gently rub it onto the soleplate. Or, soak a cloth in white vinegar and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, then wipe the soleplate.

It’s important never to use an abrasive pad or cleaner on your iron soleplate as those can scratch the metal surface.
No matter what cleaning option you choose, keep the product out of the steam holes on the soleplate. If you do get some in them, use a pipe cleaner or cotton swab to remove the excess.
For fusing, it’s best to use a press cloth to protect your iron from errant adhesive—saving you the effort of cleaning it.

Can I use home décor fabric for a garment?

Short answer—it depends! Many home décor fabrics can be used for garments, but some are better left on the bed or the chair. So, ask some questions about it before jumping into the switch.

Check the weight of the fabric—will it drape or hang appropriately for a garment? Some curtain and drapery fabrics are ideal, while upholstery fabrics tend to be too stiff and often have a heavier backing.
Are there finishes that affect the fabric’s hand? Sun- and stain-resistant finishes often make fabrics stiffer than might be appropriate for a garment, and chemicals can potentially cause an allergic reaction if in close contact with skin, so be sure to read the label carefully.
Check the care instructions, as many home décor fabrics are dry-clean only due to their added finishes.

If the fabric feels right to you for garment use, there are some advantages to home décor fabrics. Most are wider than traditional garment fabrics so you may not need as much. Many offer bold patterns to make eye-catching garment patterning, but be sure to account for pattern matching before you buy, as extra may be required to match large prints. If you’re working with a bold print, keep garment design lines simple to avoid breaking up the visual patterning.

Do I need a rotary cutter if I’m not a quilter?

Rotary cutters slice a very straight, clean edge which is ideal for many fabrics, both quilting cottons and garment fabrics. It also creates a smooth edge on fabrics like UltraSuede, cork, etc. that may have lapped seams. Rotary cutters come in several sizes, so the blade diameter can be tailored to the use. A protective cutting mat is required to protect the table surface.

Pro
One advantage of using a rotary cutter for garment sewing is that the fabric can stay flat on the cutting surface as you cut. That’s very helpful for slippery materials or fabrics that distort readily, like loose knits. Used with a medium to large blade and a ruler, rotary cutting for straight lines is faster than scissor cutting—think full skirt, long eveningwear seams, etc. Smaller diameter blades work well for cutting curved areas like armholes and necklines.

Con
One downside of rotary cutting garments is that you have to have the protective cutting mat under the area being cut, and this may necessitate constantly moving the mat (depending on the size) or the fabric.

So, is a rotary cutter necessary if you’re only sewing garments? No, but it’s definitely a nice option to have around, especially if you’re sewing on pesky fabrics that make scissor cutting more challenging.

~Linda Griepentrog
Linda is the owner of G Wiz Creative Services and she does writing, editing and designing for companies in the sewing, crafting and quilting industries. In addition, she escorts fabric shopping tours to Hong Kong. She lives at the Oregon Coast with her husband Keith, and two dogs, Yohnuh and Abby. Contact her at .

August 27, 2021

Best Pressed…Without an Iron

There are times when you need to press something flat or press a fold, but for one reason or another, you don’t want to or can’t use an iron. But never fear, there are other ways.

We all know the importance of pressing to set seams, make crisp edges, etc., but some fabrics don’t like heat from an iron—they can melt, scorch or become totally destroyed from even the coolest of iron heat. Others tend to imprint from the iron’s heat, leaving telltale lines showing the iron’s outline or soleplate’s steam holes. Some dyes, especially in handprinted fabrics, may be heat sensitive and pressing with an iron can cause irreversible color changes.

Think of some of your more unusual fabrics that are fun to work with—like screening, faux suedes, vinyls, laminates, oil cloths, waxed canvases, and many sheers or metallics—all of these are candidates for no-iron pressing.

But, how do you press without an iron? The answer comes in the form of two handy tools—a seam roller and an iron finger.

Seam pressing with a 4-in-1 tool from Alex Anderson — 4-in-1 tool from Alex Anderson

Seam Roller

You may be familiar with a seam roller from any wallpapering experiences—the roller is used to flatten the seams at the paper edge joinings and to help remove air bubbles for a flat application. But, take that roller to your sewing room to give it new life. Many sewing companies make seam rollers specifically for craft applications—the roller portion can be made from plastic, wood or ceramic.

One thing the seam rollers have in common is that the roller wheel may not be totally flat. There is a rise in the center portion of the roller so that it hits only the narrow area being “pressed” and contact doesn’t extend beyond the center. This eliminates imprinting on delicate fabrics—a term used to describe a visible line on the right side of a seam where the seam allowance edges drop off.

A seam roller can be used to open seams and keep them flat, or it can be used to press both seam allowances to one side. Simple even pressure along the stitching line works for either. The roller can also be used to press a folded edge, like around an appliqué or facing. It’s also great for creating a flat seam when paper piecing. If the fabric can tolerate it, roll the seam or edge from both the right and wrong side for a flatter result.

Clover Roll Press — Clover Press Perfect Roll & Press

For best results, use the seam roller on a hard surface, like a table or rotary cutting mat, not on a soft surface like your ironing board.

In addition to no-iron pressing, the seam roller can be used in conjunction with the iron for added pressure. A great place to combine them is when tailoring wool—shoot the area with steam from the iron and press it further with the roller to embed the moisture.

Tip: If you’re heading to a sewing retreat, take your seam roller to avoid standing in line waiting for an iron. Simply press at your work station with the roller.

Iron Finger

Also used to flatten seams, an iron finger is much like its name suggests—a round (or squared) piece of wood or silicone with a flat end. The flat end can be used just like the seam roller to open or flatten seams and edges, while the rounded (or squared) portion can serve as a mini pressing surface to open otherwise hard to reach seams, with or without an iron—think shoulder straps or purse handles. The tool simply fits inside the sewn piece so that the seam allowances are exposed at the top of it for easy pressing.

An iron finger can be a stand-alone tool, or it can be combined with other tool functions, like a stiletto or seam ripper.

Pressing with a Clover Iron Finger — Using an iron with a Clover Iron Finger

Finger Pressing

Never fear, you can press seams just with your finger or fingernail on many fabrics, especially quilting cottons. Another time saver so you don’t have to leave the machine or use any heat or steam.

Simply open the seam (or fold it to one side) and run your finger or fingernail along the seam line, applying some pressure as you go.

Finger pressing is ideal for things like suedes, vinyl, sequined fabrics and other delicates when an iron just isn’t a good option.

~Linda Griepentrog

Linda is the owner of G Wiz Creative Services and she does writing, editing and designing for companies in the sewing, crafting and quilting industries. In addition, she escorts fabric shopping tours to Hong Kong. She lives at the Oregon Coast with her husband Keith, and two dogs, Yohnuh and Abby. Contact her at .

August 20, 2021

Fabric Sources: Plants (part 2)

This is article 2 of a multi-part series focusing on three categories of fabric – fabric made from plants, from living beings, and from minerals. Part 2 covers some of the more unusual and unexpected plants that are used to create fabric.

Plants (part 1) | Plants (part 2 )
Living Things: Silk | Living Things: Wool | Other Living Things
Minerals: Acrylics, Polyester, & Nylon (part 1) | Minerals: Spandex and Rayon (part 2)

And Now for the Not-So-Usual…

Hemp

Not your typical marijuana plant, hemp can now be legally grown (within very specific restrictions) throughout the US. A more familiar use of this plant is as a source of CBD oil. And while it only captures a small portion of the textile market — less than 1% — it is also used to make fabric.

Hemp fibers can be woven and knitted to create fabric and has been used to make cloth since ancient times. The mixture of hemp with cotton, linen, silk, and wool gives hemp greater softness, while adding strength and durability to the product.

How is it processed?

Hemp fiber is obtained from the stem of the plant. Prior to the 1980s, hemp fabric was considered too rough to comfortably wear, but new processing techniques have made it much more wearable. Producers discovered a process using enzymes that removed the fibers’ roughness while still allowing it to retain its durability. Fiber-grown hemp is much less labor-intensive than CBD hemp, but with limited processing plants in the US, most hemp fabrics are generated in other parts of the world. For a peek inside a processing plant, watch this 2-minute video.

Pros: Hemp absorbs dyes well, is hypo-allergenic, durable, and resistant to both ultraviolet light and mold. It gets softer each time it is laundered and keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. It is also naturally resistant to bacteria, which means it is odor resistant with fewer washings.
Cons: Spinning and weaving the tough fibers into fabric requires extra attention and effort. Hemp fabric, like linen, tends to wrinkle easily. Plus, due to its limited availability, it can be more difficult to find.

What about sustainability and the environmental impact?

One of the most relevant features of hemp is that it captures large quantities of carbon. It is relatively drought tolerant and can usually withstand frost. It is fast-growing and resists pests and can even heal the soil by restoring vital nutrients. On the same amount of land, hemp can produce 2.5 times more fiber than cotton and 6 times more fiber than flax!

Where can you buy it?

Hemp is much less prolific than those “usual suspects” we’ve already covered. Of the available suppliers, only one offers 100% hemp fabric; the others offer only hemp blends. Here are a few sources if you want to give hemp a try.

Hemp Traders
Nature’s Fabrics
Organic Cotton Plus (has some 100% hemp fabric)

Mushrooms

If you are looking for a natural leather replacement, why not try Mushroom Leather? Mushroom leather is a vegan-friendly material used as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to animal leather. Watch this 2-minute video to get a look at this unusual suspect.

How is it processed?

It all starts with Mycelium; the fungus mushrooms are made of. When harnessed as a technology, it can be used to create everything from a plant-based steak to fabric. The cells are grown on beds of agricultural waste and the byproducts are compressed into an interconnected 3D network. Finally, it is tanned and dyed to create a product that resembles leather.

Pros: Mushroom leather is soft, durable, and naturally waterproof. It accepts dye well and is easy to sew. It is extremely light-weight and flexible, which makes it a great candidate for a wide range of projects.
Cons: Mushroom leather is very difficult to find.

What about sustainability and the environmental impact?

Mushroom leather is an environmentally friendly material because it can be treated without using polluting substances. At the end of its life, the material is completely biodegradable and compostable.

Where can you buy it?

Mushroom leather is primarily sold wholesale to the fashion industry; however, there is one retail source. If you have an adventurous spirit and some padding in your pocketbook, here is a place you can shop:

Life Materials (MuSkin)

Oranges

Fabrics are formed from a silk-like cellulose yarn made from citrus waste that can blend with other materials. When used in its purest form, the resulting 100% citrus textile features a soft and silky hand-feel, lightweight, and can be opaque or shiny.

How is it processed?

Fabric is produced from hundreds of thousands of tons of citrus juice byproduct — the so-called ‘pastazzo’ that would otherwise go to waste. It is then formed into a silk-like cellulose yarn that can blend with other materials. Watch this cute 1-minute video for a little insight into the process and then explore a pictorial explanation that shows what results from the various steps at http://orangefiber.it/process/.

Pros: Orange fabric is soft, strong, drapes beautifully, and is wrinkle resistant. The natural citrus oils within the fabric contain vitamins A, C and E which are released and absorbed through the skin, making the fabric a wearable body cream. The oils are reported to last at least 20 washing cycle!
Cons: You can’t buy it anywhere.

What about sustainability and the environmental impact?

From the perspective of safeguarding the interests of the environment, the world production of waste materials in the form of orange peels exceeds 700 tons per year. By utilizing this waste productively, it is offering a solution.

Where can you buy it?

While there have been limited collaborations with a few designers (H&M, Ferrigamo, E Marinella), we can find no retail fabric sources. So, for now, this is not something you can try sewing with at home.

Bananas

While it may sound cutting-edge to create fabric from a banana plant, it was actually back in the 13th century when banana fiber cloth was first introduced in Japan. It comes from leave sheaths around the stem of the plant of abacá, a species of banana. The length of the fibers can be more than 3 meters long. Currently, it is being increasingly used in the manufacturing of garments, household textiles and upholstery thanks to innovations in the process of this fiber.

How is it processed?

Abacá banana plants are organically cultivated in the Philippine islands. They are harvested and shredded into the natural fibers, then spun into threads that are woven to create the banana fabric. Watch this 8-minute video for a great peek into the process.

Pros: Banana fabric is naturally delicate and silk-like in texture and yet incredibly strong. It is resistance to the effects of salt water and buoyant.
Cons: It is very expensive and hard to find.

What about sustainability and the environmental impact?

Abacá banana plants regenerate fully within one year of being harvested. The plants are organically cultivated in Philippine islands and require no chemical treatments. And when the bags do eventually reach the end of their life cycle, they leave no trace because the fabric is biodegradable, and the components are recyclable.

Where can you buy it?

This is another fabric that you will not find easily and when you do find it, you will pay for the privilege of securing some for your home sewing stash. These two specialty sellers on Etsy are the only sources currently.

Pineapples

Often referred to as ‘pineapple leather,’ Piñatex^®manufactures this material from the leaves of the pineapple, which are traditionally discarded or burned. There are several variations of the textile, with new developments for naturally dyed and 100% natural versions without the synthetic coating sometimes used to weatherproof the leather.

How is it processed?

The fibers of the pineapple leaves are pulled apart, dried, and then brought together through a processing system which creates a non-woven substrate. This interim product is shipped to Spain where it is further processed into a leather like material. Watch this 2-minute video for a glimpse into the process.

Pros: Pineapple leather is soft, lightweight, flexible, and can be easily printed on, stitched, embossed, embroidered, and cut for different design uses. The leather-like material is easy to care for, strong, and durable.
Cons: Not quite as skin friendly as mushroom, but still good for all traditional leather uses. As with many of these unusual plant fabrics, pineapple leather is expensive and difficult to find.

What about sustainability and the environmental impact?

The pineapple industry globally produces about 40K tons of pineapple leaf waste. Using the leaves creates an additional income stream for rural farming communities. The residual production waste is used as a natural fertilizer. No toxic chemicals are involved in production, however, some of the leather has an added coating (often resin) to make it waterproof which is not quite as environmentally friendly.

Where can you buy it?

There appears to be only one supplier of pineapple leather. You can purchase online, and have it shipped, but it will be coming to you from Spain.

Ananas Anam

Grapes

“Wine leather” or “grape leather” transforms grape skins, seeds and stalks discarded during wine production from waste into a vegetal leather. And since 26B liters of wine are produced worldwide every year, the potential here is noteworthy.

How is it processed?

The solid remains of grapes after pressing (grape pomace, including the skins, pulp, seeds and stems) are combined with vegetable oil and water-based polyurethane. This creates an eco-composite (a combination) material. This biobased material is then coated onto organic cotton, resulting in a leather alternative made of more than 70% renewable and recycled raw materials. Watch this 30 second video to see a little bit more. https://vimeo.com/519449696

VEGEA from vegea vegea on Vimeo.

Pros: Creates a supple, durable leather-like fabric.
Cons: Not available for purchase.

What about sustainability and the environmental impact?

While the production process doesn’t waste water and uses modified, existing machinery to transform what would otherwise create carbon dioxide when burnt, the material is not yet biodegradable and is difficult to recycle. However, the material is low-wash and long-lasting, creating long-term use of items and thus less frequency of discard.

Where can you buy it?

Like orange leather, grape leather does not seem to be available to the public. Several fashion companies, including H&M had products made from grape leather for sale, just no source for pieces of the leather for your home stash.

Have we planted any ideas?

That’s a wrap of our exploration of plants in fabric. While you may never sew with many of the “unusual suspects” highlighted in this article, we hope you have enjoyed the journey. There are so many surprising uses of plants in the world of fabric and fashion that we’ve never considered!

~Sheryl Belson