Fabrics made their first appearance in the Middle East during the Stone Age, with evidence suggesting the use of clothing dating back as far as 500,000 years. However, these early garments were likely made from skins, furs, and reeds.
The nature of the fabric depended on the dye and type of textile available to the culture. Synthetic fibres were only invented a century ago, mainly to combat the age-old problems of wrinkling and lack of elasticity.
The foundation of all fabric lies in the textile, crafted from either felt or spun fibres that are transformed into yarn. This yarn can be woven, netted, knitted, or laced together, interlaced, or felted to create a unique fabric.
The ancient methods of working textiles, knitting, felting, plain weave, satin weave, and twill have changed very little since ancient times; however, the transport system, dyes available to us, and the complex machinery used mean that the scale and speed of production have increased exponentially.
The Origin of 4 Natural Fabrics
WOOL: Herding of sheep dates back to about 10,000 BC. If you see "wool" on a clothing label, you can be sure it came from a sheep, unless another animal is named specifically.
Properties:
Biodegradable: Yes
Wrinkles: No
Shrinkage: can felt
Water Usage: low-medium
Pesticide or Herbicide Use: no
Long Lasting Fabric: very long lasting
Cost: Medium to High
LINEN: First produced in Egypt, around 5000 BC, It was the clothing of Pharaohs and the dead. Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is one of the best fabrics for the eco-conscious.
Properties:
Biodegradable: Yes
Wrinkles: Oh my goodness, yes
Shrinkage: just a little
Water Usage: medium
Pesticide or Herbicide Use: no
Long Lasting Fabric: very long lasting
Cost: High
SILK: A protein fibre used by silkworms (commonly Mulberry silkworm) to make their cocoons. It dates back to China, around 2500 BC. Silk has unique properties that refract light to make it shine. It is also breathable and strong, while being lightweight.
Properties:
Biodegradable: Yes
Wrinkles: No
Shrinkage: can felt
Water Usage: low-medium
Pesticide or Herbicide Use: no
Long Lasting Fabric: very long lasting
Cost: Medium to High
COTTON: Spun and woven in ancient China, India, and Egypt as far back as 5000 BC. The cotton looms of the late 1800s and onward revolutionized the cotton industry. Currently, cotton accounts for about 2.5% of the world's arable land.
Properties:
Biodegradable: Yes
Wrinkles: a bit
Shrinkage: up to 10%
Water Usage: very high
Pesticide or Herbicide Use: very high
Long Lasting Fabric: fairly long lasting
cost: mid-range
RAMIE: Ramie is made from a non-stinging Nettle plant that has been cultivated for over 6000 years. It is fast-growing, and can be harvested up to 6 times a year in good growing conditions. It is also similar to linen in look and feel (as well as being breathable and easily biodegradable), but is slightly more brittle, though the fibre itself is very strong.
Properties:
Biodegradable: Yes
Wrinkles: somewhat
Shrinkage: just a little
Water Usage: medium
Pesticide or Herbicide Use: no
Long Lasting Fabric: fabric is more fragile
Cost: High
Modern Sustainable Alternatives
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HEMP: A crop grown for fabric for hundreds of years. It can grow worldwide, doesn’t need much water, and even naturally fertilizes the soil for other crops. Hemp is similar to Linen in many way.
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RAYON: Rayon was invented in an attempt to create artificial silk. It is a human-made fibre, but has a cellulose structure, unlike polyesters and other lab-made fibres. It also can biodegrade quickly, which most human-made fibres can not do
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JUTE: Is a renewable resource that can be grown without the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Jute fabric also has a low carbon footprint, as its production requires less energy and resources than synthetic fabrics.
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BAMBOO: Is a rapidly renewable resource, making it one of the most sustainable fabrics available. Bamboo fabric is also durable and naturally antimicrobials
Regenerative Agriculture describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, help reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity. This results in both carbon drawdown and an improved water cycle.
Regenerative Fashion involves using fibres from regenerative farms instead of petroleum-based textiles, which contributes to healing the earth.
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References:
https://www.nokillmag.com/articles/what-is-regenerative-fashion/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sustainable-fabrics-guide-eco-friendly-textiles-mahsa/
spoolandspindle.com/blogs/thoughts-from-the-spool/eco-friendly-fabrics-linen-hemp-ramie-cotton-wool-silk-and-bamboo