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Quilters Save the Planet

Mary Ray, contributor

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This quilt top by Megan Young makes pretty use of old worn-out scraps of clothing.

Photo: Courtesy Megan Young/Flickr

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Patchwork quilting was one of the original methods of recycling. It came about as a way to create a whole piece of cloth from salvaged pieces of worn garments.

Although today we mostly use new fabric for quilting, there are still many ways to be environmentally friendly. Fabric and batting producers are getting on the “green” bandwagon and offering alternatives with products from organic, sustainable, and renewable sources.

Hobbs offers an organic cotton batting and Mountain Mist has two batting products made from PLA fiber, which is a polymer made from lactic acid derived from fermentable sugars that are found in corn. One is 100-percent PLA, the other 50-percent PLA and 50-percent cotton. Fairfield Processing has introduced Bamboo Batting, which is made from 50-percent naturally antibacterial bamboo fiber and 50-percent organic cotton. I used this batting in a recent project and loved it. It’s soft and supple yet stable and very easy to quilt.

Several resources offer fabrics that are eco-friendly, too. They cost a little more, and the color and print selection is not great, but there are several fibers such as organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo to choose from. I found some decent choices at: HeartofVermont.com

OrganicCottonPlus.com

AmbataliaFabrics.com

Fabric.com

HartsFabric.com

Of course, you can become a recycler, too, and find ways to use those leftover pieces of fabric in small projects. Here’s a great opportunity to get really creative. Or, search out some places, such as The Salvation Army, where you can take those fabrics you’re never going to use—as well as clothing and other textiles you’re ready to discard.

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Ladylace writes: Quilters have been recycling for hundreds of years. Pioneers couldnt go to the store and pick out their favorite fabrics. They had to use what they had. Recycling isnt new for quilters. Pioneer women understood what it took to surrive. Use what you have and use it up and then find a new way to use it again. This is what we need to do. Learn to use what we have. And if you cant find the time to use those pieces of fabric or clothing, There are people who will. Cause when you are cold, or you need comfort there is no better feeling than to be wrapped in a quilt.
Ladylace
Posted: 10:20 am on June 15th

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