What is Eco-friendly?

Eco-friendly fabrics are made from fibres that require little or no pesticides to grow. Eco-friendly fabrics are also animal friendly as they are either made from non-animal fibres or are harvested in animal friendly ways. These fabrics are naturally resistant to mold and mildew and are also disease free. Bamboo, hemp, linen and ramie are all eco-friendly fibres.

What is Organic?

Organic fibres are cultivated without pesticides, chemical herbicides or synthetic fertilizers that can be harmful to the environment. Organic fabric comes from plants grown in fields where the use of synthetic chemicals has been discontinued for at least three years. Organic farming reduces the exposure to pesticides and other chemicals that pollute the local ecosystems where the fibre is grown. In order for a fabric to be considered organic, it must meet strict guidelines in regards to how the fibre is processed, produced, dyed and handled.

Bamboo (Eco-friendly)

Bamboo is one of nature’s most sustainable resources. It grows without the use of chemicals or pesticides, is 100% biodegradable and is naturally regenerative. Bamboo can grow up to a foot a day! Bamboo has an excellent drape and silky-cashmere feel.

Benefits:
Bamboo fabric is naturally anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, thermal regulating and resistant to mold.

Bamboo Fabrics found at Fabricana:

• Bamboo Denim - 100% Bamboo
  
• Bamboo Knit - 93% Bamboo Viscose/7% Spandex
  
• Bamboo Voile - 100% Bamboo Fibre
  
• Stretch Bamboo Interlock - 66% Bamboo/28% Cotton/6% Spandex

Hemp (Eco-friendly)

Hemp plants grow quickly and densely making it difficult for weeds to hold on and as such, no pesticides or herbicides are needed in order to grow it. Hemp does not exhaust the soil and enables sustainability by leaving the soil in excellent condition for any succeeding crops.

Benefits:
Hemp is an extremely durable fabric and is also insulating, absorbent, and improves over time with washing and wearing. It is UV resistant, highly breathable, fast-drying, hypoallergenic and non-irritating to skin.

Hemp Fabrics found at Fabricana:

• Hemp/Cotton Denim - 55% Hemp/45% Cotton
  
• Hemp Canvas - 55% Hemp/25% Linen/20% Cotton
  
• Hemp Silk - 72% Hemp/28% Silk
  
• Hemp Twill - 100% Hemp
  
• Marceau - 55% Hemp/45% Recycled Polyester
  
• Organic hemp/Cotton Jersey - 53% Hemp/44% Cotton/3% Spandex

Linen (Eco-friendly)

Linen fibres derive from the flax plant. Linen is eco-friendly as it takes little or no pesticides to grow. Once the flax is harvested nothing is wasted as multiple by-products are made, utilizing the whole plant.

Benefits:
Linen is cool and absorbent. It is also durable and strong, being the strongest of all natural fibres.

Linen Fabrics found at Fabricana:

• Dabqo (Denim)- 100% Linen
  
• Denim Linen- 56% Linen/40% Cotton/4% Spandex
  
• Vivaldi Linen – 100% Linen
  
• Portofino Linen – 100% Linen
  

Organic Cotton

In order for cotton to be classified as organic, it must be grown on land that has had no contact with chemical pesticides and defoliants for at least three years. The sustainable farming practices used to grow organic cotton do not pollute the groundwater, surface water, soil or air. The production of organic cotton actually improves the soil quality.

Benefits:
Organic cotton feels softer, smells cleaner, and is less likely to trigger allergies.

Organic Cotton Fabrics found at Fabricana:

• Organic 7 oz. Canvas - 100% Organic Cotton
  
• Organic Canvas - 100% Organic Cotton
  
• Organic Cotton Knit - 100% Organic Cotton
  
• Organic Fleece - 100% Organic Cotton
  
• Organic Pique - 100% Organic Cotton
  
• Organic Voile - 100% Organic Cotton
  
• Stretch Organic Cotton (Knit) - 95% Organic Cotton/5% Spandex
  

Ramie (Eco-friendly)

Ramie is a highly sustainable eco-friendly fibre that does not require pesticides or herbicides to grow healthily.

Benefits:
Ramie is 8 times stronger than cotton and even stronger when wet. It is naturally resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew as well as light damage, rot and insect attack

Ramie Fabrics found at Fabricana:

• Ramie 5.5oz Denim - 62% Cotton/ 38% Ramie
  
• Ramie Voile - 100% Ramie

Recycled Polyester

Regular polyester is made from petroleum, which is a byproduct of processing oil, and far from eco-friendly. While it still requires heavy processing, companies are now finding ways to create polyester out of recycled plastic bottles or even recycled polyester fabric.

Recycled Polyester Fabrics found at Fabricana:

• Recycled Poly Fleece - 55% Hemp/45% Polyester
  
• Marceau - 55% Hemp/45% Recycled Polyester

Rubberized and Diaper Flannel

We now carry rubberized flannel and diaper flannel. Rubberized flannel is great for making mattress covers. Diaper Flannel is perfect for lining cloth diapers or for making diaper covers.

Polyurethane Laminate (PUL) Fabrics

Polyurethane Laminate, or PUL is a laminate-backed diaper fabric that was originally developed to be used for medical purposes. The softness, flexibility and water-proof qualities make it perfect for cloth diapers. When originally created, PUL was meant to be autoclaved and therefore it can tolerate high dryer settings and heavy use.

Source: http://www.zany-zebra.com/diaper-fabric.shtml

We carry PUL fabrics in a variety of colours and prints.

Please note that stock on some of these items is limited. See in-store for more details.