Supporting eco-friendly and sustainable living
Rubber and latex are not the same thing, but many people use the words as if they are the same. Latex is the milky white sap of rubber trees, which is found beneath the bark of a mature rubber tree.
So how is rubber made and does rubber contain latex? Yes, it certainly does and we will look at the production processes of how is rubber made.
The truth about what is compostable plastics and what is biodegradable plastics, is a complex area with lots of misleading information and contradictory advice. It is important to understand the basic differences between these terms and types of plastic, so that you can make informed decisions on product purchases.
At the end of the day, you want to know what the environmental impact is that you might have.:
When my husband tore a brand new shirt, I decided to turn it into an upcycled clothing project. It was only the second time that he wore his new shirt, so there was nothing wrong with the fabric. Normally he would have worn the damaged shirt when working in the garden or doing dirty jobs around the property. Eventually, I would finally send it off to textile recycling.
But I thought: Why do you want to waste a lovely cotton shirt if you can upcycle it?
So the shirt was going to become a dress for our granddaughter.
But before we get into my project, I can hear you say “but what is upcycling?”
I have been sewing for nearly fifty years and the question I often get asked is ” should I buy a mechanical sewing machine or an electronic or computerized model?”
So let’s take a look at a mechanical vs computerized sewing machine, the main differences between them and what to keep in mind when choosing a sewing machines.
Mechanical machines are normally cheaper than computerized machines, but with fewer features and options.Leather can be made from almost any skin and that includes making fish skin leather. It might be difficult to imagine fish skin as leather because the skin is very thin, but it is very strong and has good water resistant qualities.
Fish skin leather is made from skins of non-endangered fish species including salmon, shark, carp, bass, sturgeon and catfish. The art of making leather out of fish skin, is an ancestral craft, which has almost been lost due to industrial techniques that have taken over in leather production.
Fabric dye and fabric dyeing techniques have a very high environmental impact. The use of harmful chemicals in fabric dye and the high amount of energy that is used and waste water that is produced, it leaves a big negative footprint.
With an increasing number of consumers looking for more sustainable and eco friendly fashion items, manufacturers and retailers are exploring alternative processes. We will first look at the traditional ways of dyeing fabric and then at the latest developments in new fabric dye.
Is hand craft or handicrafts a dying art or craft? I sincerely hope not. With the selection of yarn for crafts that are available nowadays, it is more exciting than ever to have a handicraft as a hobby.
Viscose fabric is made from cellulosic fibers which might make you wonder, what is a cellulose fiber?
To get a better understanding of what is a cellulose fiber, we will look at what cellulosic fibers are used for and how is viscose made. We will also explore the types of natural cellulosic fibers and man-made cellulose fibers like viscose and rayon, as well as the difference between rayon and viscose.
You have most probably heard about “fast fashion and slow fashion” and wonder what it actually means. Here we will look at what is fast fashion and the problem with fast fashion and also the difference between fast fashion and slow fashion. At the end we will also make suggestions about sustainable slow fashion brands.
Eco friendly floors make an attractive addition to a “green” home and bamboo flooring is one of the options. Bamboo is a sustainable renewable flooring alternative that is eco friendly, durable and affordable. It is one of the toughest natural materials, but still flexible. Here we will be looking at how bamboo flooring is made and the options available. We will also look at bamboo flooring: the pros and cons. This is where you can read about other bamboo fiber products.
