using recycled polystyrene plastic from shorelines for new Adidas

Fabrics + Colors

We all should be thankful for the fact that we are clothed with variety of fabrics of our very own choices. 

I like to observe and grew my appreciation when it comes to selection of fabrics and how color played a distinctive role to live up certain belief and culture.

To make a clear statement about this; take how white colors fabric has played and accustomed to the subject of holiness and religion.  

Major believers in muslim and christianity faith wearing white clothing to symbolize as an act of devotion and reverances towards their deity.

Whereas bright orange colors is majorly seen among buddhism and hinduism as a fiery statement to the one who they served.

Color also speaks and bring a loud statements about moods and style in a person; the same way how colors can be used to uplift energy and inspiration whenever it gets cloudy in some area in your life.

So.... 

How color is added into fabric life?!

There are two categories on how most fabric are colored or dyed.  Is either by using natural type of dyes that can be found in flowers; plants; roots and insects OR synthetic dyes that is created on chemical based like mercury; chromium and copper; that without applying corrective measures can bring toxic affecting our skin.

Since I am narrowing it down my love for fabric with sustainability fixed in mind; natural dyes has been my inclined interest when it comes to coloring your fabrics.

I think the awakening way how to visualize the effect of natural dyes on fabric is by watching this video.  It is quite inspiring especially on how they making an effort collecting those wasted flowers.

Eco India: The artisans recycling flower wastes from Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple into natural dyes                           

date: Nov 17th 2019

Natural Dye made of Floral Waste

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw3TDbfl2YpMSJrPZi0Ipd-WmgcZOVEwu

Cotton & Certified Organic Cotton

Cotton is not only soft in texture, but this delicate fluffy material provides comfort; it

accommodates to feel right and comfy adapting to your climate/temperature of your surroundings.

As a matter of fact we should have be thankful for low cost to acquire cotton as our daily usable fabrics for most of our textiles need; from shirts; clothing's; classic denim wear and home decor.

100% Cotton Blue Jeans; (Lee; Levi's; Lois; Wrangler; are the few blue jeans brands that has been around as early as 1800)

Not long after it's inception; the cotton grew to be the must materials for most household: beddings; towels; curtains and upholstery to be supplied for hotels industry and sold widely in the stores.

Certified Organic Cotton

While cotton is known for its comfort qualities not many are aware of the differences when it comes to Organic Cotton.

So, what is... Certified Organic Cotton

India and China are still major countries that cultivate cotton for exports; yet they are not the best cultivator when it comes to 100% ethical cotton farming and the practice of sustainability.  

Since cotton cultivation used a lot of water; and by not using organic fertilizer and eliminating ZERO chemicals has caused depletions in the soil.  

Which is damaging to our environment in the long run. Also; what's lacking are farmers are not properly being educated enough on what kind of fertilizations that can be used and by doing so 100% cotton can be certified as organic!

Yet today in USA; part of organic farming slowly comes to full implementation, the actual facts can be found out in these following links through their sites:

US Department of Agriculture

https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic

European Union

https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/farming/organic-farming_en

American Supima Association

https://supima.com/

Textile Organic Certifications:

https://www.global-standard.org/

https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/apply-here/standard-100-by-oeko-tex

Cotton Harvest in America

In America, cotton begin to be very important type of textiles as early as 5500 BC.

Cotton then grow to be high in production due to its softness and comfort against human skin and is proven to be comfortable against any climate around the world.

From the field harvest to textile production:

After separating the cotton fibres from the seeds; this fluffy fibres collected is called as a boll; nowadays this part of the process has been replaced by using machine that is invented by Eli Whitney in the year 1794; which expedite the cotton fibres separation process after the seeds come into full maturity.

Harvest typically begins in the Spring; when cotton seeds are planted in the field.  In most field; planting seeds can be done by automated seeding plant by 10/more rows along the field.

Seedlings is then typically emerged within approximately in 7 days and cotton bolls begin to start blooming into full maturity within 55 to 75 days before harvest.

After seeds separation; these bales are further being extracted from remaining contaminants by a machine that able to process up to 60 raw cotton bales (about 500 lbs) per hour then this bales is further refined, cleaned and produce pure cotton fibres that is ready to be spunned.

The bales are then taken to textile production facilities where raw cotton is spunned into a long strand of fibres; then are spunned into cotton yarn where the actual cotton as a textile being produced.  

These cotton textiles; depending on the factory; is then may be dyed in order to manufacture line of clothing; bedsheets; different kind of upholstery and famous blue jeans.

Cotton: Rich Facts about this:

What is cotton as a fabric:

Is a soft, fluffy fiber in texture almost look like pure cellulose in the appearance and spunned into a yarn; long thread and spread to be a soft; highly absorbent; breathable fabric.

Texture:

fluffy; light; soft and it's nature possessing high ability to absorb moisture i.e against sweat

Cotton Label:

• Pima Cotton
• Supima Cotton
• Egyptian Cotton

Textile Products:

dresses; t shirts; blue jeans; denimwear; undergarments; socks; towel; interior home living products; bedding curtain and upholstery; medical supplies and hotel supply

Cotton is major form of fabric used in the world. 85% of cotton clothing is manufactured by using cotton as a material.  Organic cotton is 100% safe from chemicals; synthetic compounds that might be harmful to our skin.

In America; cotton come into existence as 5500 BC; and since it is historically known for softness and adaptable to any climate; this type of fabric is globally and increasingly cultivated to be a major clothing productions.

Cashmere Introduction••• perfecting the fabric equation!

I think is a good time to bring another material type into this equation.  I have touched the empire of cotton around the world; I have expressed the magnitude of kanthaquilt to me personally and how widely they begin to spread their domination into the world of handicraft industry.

And this is truly delicate subject; is highly adored by classy women anywhere when there is a note of cashmere is labelled on any scarf•••

Yeah. I am guilty of that too 😉

So let's get into it •••

Cashmere; is fashionably known for its long lasting warmth and feminism.  It symbolize type of woman and their characters when it comes to fashion.  The materials originated by animals of goats and sheep.  The goats produce longer, smoother and straighter hair than common sheep's wool.

Finer touch of cashmere is combed from a Gobi's goat; herd by North Africa at specific season of the year is when the goat produced more hair than normal and it is combed out of it and not sheared.

A single mature male goat produced around 180 to 250 gram of hairs everytime it is combed.  These bunch of hair is then taken to the spun where it is cleaned; processed and spunned into a filament further can be knitted into a piece of cashmere fabric!

Fine selection of cashmere scarf though is not that colorful can be a thoughtful gift idea; with a touch of luxury added kind of present.  It is a lasting impression that seemed to last forever whenever it is wrapped around your neck; or shoulders.  And it is acceptable worn by males too these days.

So in short; cashmere scarf is worn by women that know how to value cashmere at its highest currency; it is luxurious; versatile and often is selected by women that fancy classical style than average fashion.

My favourite brand that carries this are still Burberry; Gucci; Louis Vuitton and few more.  But there are some fine european selections too for you to take a look at their websites:

my.burberry.com

italyincashmere.com

bemboka.com

www.paoloalbizzati.com/sp/en/scarves

Of course these are a few links that I think is quite high in versatility! you can explore more choices as well when you visit on e b a y which many of them are not in the current market anymore. It is classic; authentic and vintage.

ONE word• THREE meaning•

And TODAY I would like to touch firmly on the keyword my blog is ALL about.  

                    f  a  b  r  i  c

The first form of this word is the most common one and I believe almost above 95% of people that understand English will think of it as a piece of materials or a cloth that do not matter what type.  

I love the mechanical and technical concept of how each fabric is produced.  To me as a deep thinker fabric tells story.

Through how it was woven and sewn or knitted, how many threads counts, how tight knitted it was bounded and for what purposes; all has a meaning; purpose and reason.  

My favourite so far still 💯 chemical FREE unbleached original cotton ... .  

Take for example, the heavier set of cotton is one was manufactured by higher density of quality cotton thread count.  Is primarily used to make clothing line for newborn babies to children before adolescent.

Secondly; the word fabricated

This word is a 'verb that explaining about how something can be woven into something else! 😉

The examples are too many.  But you often hear it especially on crime scene units investigation!!! This verb being used often to describe whenever a lies being exposed; then the rest of it is history and the previous evidences that is not relevant is regarded as:::

Complete Fabrication.

And the last but not least of chemistry in this word game is ••• 

the word fabrication simply means a ... 

Process... 

Start with one thing and finish become another.  And this process is validated to be used in the context of assembly line or something similar to that nature•

I truly hope this part of my blog and my *uhmmm* >clearing throat gesture< English is being  ••• understood.

Thank You ladies and gentlemen.

U S E instagram as a visual strategy to promote your fabric store!

The world of fabrics is increasingly becoming noisy with endless options of colors; textures; design and it's manufacturing quality!

Are we still in the era to shop fabric by running from one store to the next ones to find ones we like best!? Is pretty amusing when I think about those days during a month of ramadan; people already busy buying fabric for aidilfitri celebration even syawal appear a month later.

This is the month you will see throngs of people shopping along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and to my surprise; some of those shop are still operating. Popular stores like Kamdar; Sarah Hughes; GLOBE still open for business as usual.

Yet, my point is.. would you still do it back in the oldskool way!? 

For me to avoid stress during shopping is my major mantra.  This is the reason why turning to internet for shopping fabric is better way to shop unless you are buying for wholesale.

That is just 2 cents worth for you shoppers!

But here in my column I want to highlight major advantage for business owners on how by using instagram displaying your fabrics are best way to increase sale! 

Instagram is a visual way to display your product and by maximizing the use of hashtags properly will bring higher visibility and awareness for online audiences at large.  By posting interesting photos that you captured plus simple pressed editing to enhance visual appetite has proven attracting more traffic to your page.  Which bring result in popularity of your fabric this brings sale and profit to your business!

Too often, the design that appeared on the screen either on mobile device or computer screen is more attractive than window shopping in the fabric store.  

Take for example; you want to shop new materials for your living room curtain.  This is the example of online store that effectively displaying their selections of fabrics for curtain on instagram.  curtain materials.  

By browsing selection of your favorited fabric online is the stress free way to shop at your convenience at the comfort of your home.  Is a matter of making a switch in your mentality before running to the store why not take a pause check your favourite items online before your visit. 

These days, most fabric can be purchased online; either way is always good to have mental preparations to have that pictures in your mind before your visit to the store!

100% organic cotton pajamas made exclusively by Burt's & Bee's Collection.

O N E of the best feelings I found out about me being a woman is how good certain fabric feels on our body.

For me there nothing can beat the feelings of 100% organic cotton, free from harsh chemicals and dyes. Reduce the risks of skin intolerance and allergies.

I can shared with you who is the best manufactured product when it comes to *cotton jammies* as said in the US.  Is a total comfort to slip into one of this cotton materials after hard working days followed with a cup of hot chamomile/peppermint tea before bed.

They are known as Burt's & Bee's Collection and is widely available in major malls from walmart; target; kohl; k-mart and also Goodwill as second hand stores.

This family business has been in operations since the year 1984 .  And other than great feeling of their pajamas collections; they are also best known for personal skincare especially on lips natural colors and balm.

Do you know they have over 30+ design for children under 14years old pajamas collections?! They are snuggly, comfy, adjustable to body temperature and made by long lasting materials.

I inserted some of my favourite designs here just to bring you to our site.  And it does not cost too much really for that piece of comfort.

featured FABRIC of the month: KANTHA | indian aspired handcrafted quilt

Kantha in as very simple definition is a large size form of blanket that is handmade crafted by few different pattern of stitches on layers of fabric materials of choice.  And it is widely and quite commonly found and used as bedding in the homes of Southern Indian and along the bay.

It is quite similar to the ones that being treated special looms as traditional craft in America called Quilt.  It is similar concept but different design.

The simple form of Kantha which majorly used in middle to poor people in India by recycling used up Saris and low quality cotton that is layered according to desired warmth and these layers after being patched together; then being sewn in straight lines stitches from 3 to 5 lines that closely intact and repeated at the same quantity towards the end of the layered fabric as a finished handmade Kantha.

Truthfully, my discovery of Kantha is found at where I worked as a self appointed manager in a lodge that is occupied by 80% of bangladesh people works in construction sites.

After they moved to a new place or better residence; sometimes they leave behind these Kantha by the side of the wall and if you asked me it carried sentimental value is the reason why they do not throw it away.

I took a look at it and kept on wondering what is it that later on I found out they used it as layer on the floor or to cover their body as blanket.  

Me as a total stranger to that piece of fabric collected it and for the good ones, washed and dried and reused.  After using it, I found that it does.... 

Carried a sentimental values as it is crafted with love from this village women.  Since I am an intuitive person just by observing the quality of stitch on every thread sewn on the fabric; I knew it was made from the heart.

This led me to investigate further the origin of Kantha and further stretch my interest how can I bring my this Kantha idea in the most original; connective and profitable medium as part of marketing company that I owned.

To me, Kantha is a beautiful work of stitches that not only crafted by hand and love but also can be symbolized as traditional looms that bought as a present 🎁 given away on weddings; new born and birthdays.  Visit this links for your own amusements:

A.  k.a.n.t.h.a on etsy

B.  k.a.n.t.h.a. on e b a y

It is wonderful handmade craft that begin to attract in the western too and some being seen or sold in the high price.  Luxurious form of Kantha is made by high quality stitching on luxurious fabric chosen by textile designers then it is used as a materials to create upholstery | beddings | other handcrafted by products and sold quite popular on eBay and etsy online .ka.n.t.h.a. on e b a y

what do you read when your eyes on >sustainability< •••

SUSTAINABILITY << is A keyword that now slowly progressing towards almost applicable and should be implemented in every active and productive industries.  The effectivity of this word actually worked from bottoms up which it should get started from home!

Randomly speaking; the entire word means total eliminating waste that contribute ZERO bin for landfills at large.  

In our society today; many signs created just to build awareness towards people in general as the increase in the landfills means contributing  toxicology into our community and our health and well being.

There is NO shortcuts when it comes to sustainability. This crucial issue must be addressed that begin on our homes.  By educating every home in community to  practice recycling items before throw eventually does reduce increase in landfills.

There are many today's products to promote this sustainability at home, hotels, office, public spaces for easily sorting and dumping.  Buying one of these for your home is very rewarding investment for long term result.

Secondly to properly educate the community about what sort of waste can be recycled and can not be recycled.  I won't be touching the subject in details but in my blog I want to start focusing on sustainability when it comes to fabric.

To certain extend, when I really think about it, for very old type and old fashioned fabrics you have no choice to burn it to the ground or bin it. Is because this type of fabric is not recyclable and only added pollution on top of the landfill.

To recycle fabrics; there are steps must be followed.  If you know how to recycle fabrics by materials then that is the best way to do it.  But if you don't; is good enough to sort it by gender and fashionability on how it can be good to resell; donations or give it away.

Fabric by materials; when you have piece of materials like this; you can think about opening activities in the community to start on "art & craft + sewing" with a slogan *bring your own fabrics*. This are just a suggestion of course but it worth values for our community and environment!  

Should you have active community organizer in your neighborhood, is time to start to talk to her or him to have this type of events active and encouraging people to participate, is low in cost or even FREE and it cultivates peace, harmony and FUN in the community that eventually promoting health and wellness to people and environment in broader scale.

What awaken your *wow* factor. !?

👻20 years ago... can you think about anything that crossed your mind that bring back "wow' factors when you see something.

I am a type of human that moved deeply whenever I see something beyond ordinary.  I give you a recent example just to make my point. 

Often, I am touched by handicapped people whenever I caught them at sight.  Just a few months back, I remember a figure that walked pass me by very slowly carrying a large bag.  He had this special condition that unable him to walk normally like most of us.

From one end to the other end of the bridge it took him 8 minutes and that is not including to walk down the stairs.

I can't help by gazing deeply until that figure disappear from my sight. He sat by one of this sidewalk and sell something.  Oh ok!! I thought.. he sells some tissue papers for making an income.  I was still at the bridge holding my music with pen and paper for fresh inspiration for my blog.  

While I was not looking anymore, he passed me by... Again.

Only this time he turned around and smile and drop me a snack for munching. That caught me by surprise. I certainly did not expect that nor even expecting it.

With that he slowly walking down the bridge again and home I guessed.  And do you know why this touched my soul the most... 

I felt pity for most of us that able to walk yet still taking our life for granted.  And how shameful that is for someone like him even stretched himself further though he knew he can easily sit at home wherever he is sheltered. 

That is just one example that being mentioned yet most people that passing him by don't even notice! 

Don't even care the condition of his legs or why he is selling tissue. And that becomes very common now in our society.  Moving towards heartless society.  Why should I even bothered.  Is not my problem.  Is this the correct attitude for our society to behave accordingly. I think that judgement lies in the heart and consciousness in you as an individual.

But this days... Inspirations do not need to be in front of your eyes anymore.  It easily can be found numerously online. 

In my spare time I just love to browse whatever topic that crossed my mind just to expand my horizon in knowledge that interest me.

Guessed what I found!! 

There are so many of them. And again. Because of internet; A channel like youtube make it possible to show off whoever talents and shared their skills through music, videos, films as a short productions for variety kind of agenda.

Don't you think that is amazing! Talking about that brings me to this grandmom last night.. for some reason I could not sleep. I bumped into her as I was looking for organic recipe for Chai.!

click to MAGGI2MINIT

I don't know about you, other than getting a bit hungry, she definitely my wow factor last night 😉. 

Age certainly know no barrier in her case. She is the perfect example when it comes to this.  Don't know what age she arrived, but can you imagined, should she not having such a great mind would she ever being able to continue the work she has been doing?!  

She is awesome don't you think.  Needed to be applauded. Subscribe her channel if you want to Veg Village Food, at least if is not for the recipe surely it makes you smile just to watch her!