Sustainable Fabrics

What does it mean if it says it is sustainable?

You may have been hearing the term ‘sustainability’ used more frequently in the world of fashion and fabric, but what does it mean? Sustainability can mean different things to different people, but sustainability as a whole denotes the maintaining of a constant level to ensure we aren’t driving resources into the ground. The process of sustainability is making natural, economic and social resources last so that we aren’t using them all up at a rate too quickly to enable time for rejuvenation and reproduction.

Can you recycle recycled fabrics?

Unfortunately, you cannot recycle recycled fabrics, as they have already been through the process once before. When fabrics are recycled, they only use aspects of the fabric, and therefore the entirety of it isn’t made from recycled fabrics. This means if you were to recycle it again, you would have even less fabric to use in the recycling process.

However, just because you can’t recycle your previously recycled fabrics, this doesn’t mean that you can’t find another way to utilise the fabric. If you have a leotard, which due to it containing lycra you are unable to recycle, you may want to think about how else you can use the fabric. Why not turn your leotard into a scrunchie or a small bag so that you are able to extend the longevity of your fabric? This way, you are extending the lifespan of your fabric so that more people can enjoy it, reducing waste and creating a multitude of different enjoyable garments.

Different Fabrics and their properties

The terminology surrounding sustainable fabrics can often get confusing, and when it comes to choosing a fabric suitable for you, you may become overwhelmed understanding what it all means.

What is polyamide?

Polyamide is a nylon yarn which is often referred to as ‘nylon fabric’. Polyamide fabrics can occur both through a man-made process as well as naturally. Natural polyamides include wool and silk, whereas man-made polyamides create the likes of nylon fabrics.

What is econyl?

ECONYL was created by an Italian firm which utilises a method of recycling, taking synthetic waste and transforming it into a new, nylon yarn. One of econyl’s most positive attributes is the fact that the process requires much less water and produces significantly less nitrous oxide.

Although econyl has many positives, it does have its disadvantages. The microfibres (which are tiny pieces of plastic) within the fabric are released into the water during every wash. However, there are some steps that you can take to prevent this from happening, for example, purchasing a filter for your washing machine or purchasing econyl products which don’t require washing. This way, you can reap the benefits of econyl without the consequence of its disadvantages!

Recycled Nylon

Recycled nylon has the same advantages as recycled polyester and helps prevent excessive landfill, in turn reducing the need for the use of fossil fuels.

Eco-Friendly Fabrics

Knowing your fabrics means that you can make informed decisions on whether you feel as though you are doing something to help the environment. You may have heard the phrase fast-fashion being used and there has since been a movement away from the short-lived and flippant trends to more sustainable ways of enjoying clothing. However, people are becoming increasingly more aware of how their choices in fashion impacts on the environment, with many opting for more eco-friendly wearing. This should also be implemented in the fabric industry, with the choice to use more eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics when creating bespoke garments.

So what are the most eco-friendly fabrics?

There are some fabrics that are more sustainable than others such as cotton, linen and lyocell.

If you are looking to start up a self-ran business, perhaps a swimwear startup, you may want to consider a recycled fabric choice. We have a whole host of affordable yet high-quality lycra fabrics within our cheap fabric collection to make sure everybody has an opportunity to experiment with creating everything from custom-made dresses to leotards.

Here at Funki Fabrics, our fabrics offer an extensive range of recycled fabrics to ensure that you can continue to create your garments while remaining eco-conscious. If you want to create swimwear, scrunchies or even a leotard for a competition, why not try using something from our collection?

View our range of eco-friendly recycled stretch fabrics.