Bamboozled: A Fiber Facts Update

Apparently, bamboo does not necessarily make something eco-friendly. According to the Federal Trade Commission, bamboo textiles are simply another type of rayon, made using the same process. As I showed in my Fiber Facts post on rayon, the process involves harsh chemicals that are anything but eco-friendly. No matter what fiber you start with, rayon is a classed as a [hu]man-made fiber.

Now, the FTC is taking action, warning companies (including Amazon, Target, and Macy's) that they must change their labeling of "bamboo" fabrics to "rayon." While the FTC does not seem to have targeted yarn manufacturers in their efforts, presumably the same implications would apply. If your yarn label says bamboo, it probably means "rayon." The same goes, presumably, for yarns made out of corn or hemp.

The FTC has a useful guide here, if you want to know more. Interestingly, the clothing & textile regulations do not seem to apply to yarn--from what I can find.

A Skirt

I whipped this up yesterday using the pattern from Chic & Simple Sewing, by Christine Haynes.

 

This is a basic circle skirt pattern. It turned out okay. I decided to hem the skirt so it would hang evenly, rather than just hemming .5” all the way around, as given in the pattern.

I’m not super happy about the elastic waist band, but at least I learned how to do one. And I think I’ll actually wear this. Or maybe I’ll try to redo the waist band somehow….

I’ve promised myself that I won’t build up a stash of fabrics the way I have with yarns. I have material for one more yoga bag (or perhaps a tote?), and 3 yards of some vintage fabric I found at a thrift store to use up.

I promise knitting updates will be forthcoming, as well! Katie and I both have some new projects and patterns on the go.

Guess What I Got For My Birthday?

I haven’t sewed anything since the gym shorts I helped to make for 7th grade. But so far I’m loving the easy patterns in Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing. The results so far:

Napkins

Yoga bag. (This is a little snug—if I make another one I’ll make it a touch wider). I had to rip this out in parts because the instructions are confusing (few diagrams, with a lot of steps crammed into a single numbered step). But it turned out ok in the end.

Sewing provides much greater instant gratification than knitting does. Each of these projects took just a few hours.

Next, I’m going to try a skirt from this book:

Chic & Simple Sewing, by Christine Haynes

For those of you who sew, I’d love to hear your tips for beginner sewers—hints, projects, etc.

beautiful jelly

I am at the beach with my family. Michael and I have gone out for an evening walk and this purple bioluminescent creature was lying on the shore.

I am inspired by this natural beauty. I see some purple design in my future, with a gradient I think.