When I first started experimenting with botanical dyes and pigments, I quickly realized that finding sustainable fabrics for my dye projects was a challenge. Working with eco-friendly plant dyes felt counterproductive if I was just going to use conventional t-shirts and other “blanks.”

Hunting down fabric and clothing items to dye has been an eye-opening experience. I remember the first time I searched for organic cotton; I spent hours navigating various shops and finally found something when searching on Etsy that checked all the boxes I was looking for. As you’ll read about below, the product I got from Earnest Quilts was not only OKEO-TEX certified organic, but also undyed and raw. This journey taught me the importance of patience and discernment in eco-conscious crafting.

If you're like me and want to be kinder to the planet while creating beautiful, hand-dyed pieces, you're in the right place.

In this post, I'll share my favorite sources for sustainable fabrics, explore different types, and sprinkle in some personal tips and experiences. Whether you're a seasoned dyer or just starting out, there's something here for everyone interested in eco-friendly fabric sources!

Understanding Sustainable Fabrics

Definition: So, what exactly makes a fabric sustainable? Essentially, it's all about eco-friendly materials, ethical production practices, and a lower environmental footprint. Think organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo – materials that are grown with minimal chemicals and water.

Importance: Why should we care? Well, using sustainable fabrics means fewer harmful chemicals in our dye projects and better results overall. Plus, it's a win for Mother Earth. 🌍

Types of Sustainable Fabrics That Can Be Dyed

• Organic Cotton: According to the New York Times, cotton produced organically is lower impact on the environment, and studies demonstrate that organic farming contributes to soil health. Something we’re passionate about here at Eco-friendly Homestead! NYT also talks about the importance of traceable cotton and certifications like GOTS and OCS.
• Hemp: According to the NIH, conventional hemp is more sustainable than conventional cotton since it needs less pesticides and less water to grow well. Additionally, a study from 2023 found that hemp not only supports biodiversity, but also stores large amounts of carbon.
• Organic Linen: Good on You has a great article about what to look for in terms of sustainable linen. Look for organic linen, or at least water-retted linen, which avoids toxic chemicals. Try to find unbleached linen for your dye projects.
• Bamboo: This study explores botanical dye on cotton vs. bamboo fabrics, and found that in most cases bamboo took the color better than cotton. Some of the notable improved dye uptake was with onion skin and indigo on bamboo textiles.
• Thrifted Items: Don't forget about buying clothes at thrift shops for dye projects! Give these clothes a second life and save some money while you’re at it. As a bonus, you can get really high-quality pieces at a fraction of the cost.

Key Words and Phrases to Look for:

PFD: Prepared for Dye (typically, not mordanted though!)

Undyed: Dye-free - a blank canvas for your own creation!

Blanks: Clothing without any prints or graphics on them

Where to Find Sustainable Fabrics

Online Stores:

ETSY: Etsy is a treasure trove of sustainable fabrics. Look for sellers who specialize in organic and handwoven materials. I've found some gems there! Here are some of my favorites:

Fabric

• Earnest Quilt - California - Their fabrics are absolutely gorgeous! I ordered a yard of their organic undyed raw linen, which is OKEO-TEX certified. It’s beautifully soft and lush feeling. It’s really hard to find organic cotton on Etsy that ships from the US, so I’m happy to have found this shop and will be ordering from them again.

Tshirts and Tanks

• RAWSONSTUDIO - Wisconsin - While not organic cotton, this company makes lovely t-shirts and tank tops from deadstock, or fabric that was made for a specific purpose and then no longer needed. It’s kind of like “thrifted” fabric, but on a larger scale. All of their clothes are undyed. Unfortunately, as of right now they only have small, medium, and large sizes.
• RoweNaturals - Nebraska - Beautiful undyed organic cotton tshirts and socks, with any color coming naturally from the cotton. Great size selection and quality!

Home Goods

• TheIndianBlockPrint - United Kingdom - If you’re in the UK, you’ll want to check out this lovely 100% organic cotton pack of tea towels for your dye projects!

THREDUP: While it might seem surprising, ThredUp is a fantastic source of clothes for your dye projects. Just make sure to check that the fabric is dyeable. Luckily, ThredUp just added a “100%” search filter, so that you can find items that are made of, say, all cotton as opposed to a cotton polyester blend. This is important for dye projects because polyester will not absorb the color from botanical pigments.

Here’s how I search for dyeable clothes on ThredUp:

• Start Broad: Search for your desired item, such as 'tank top' or 'skirt.' Adding 'organic' can yield more specific results.
• Filter by Material: Use the sidebar to filter results by '100% cotton,' 'linen,' 'silk,' or 'wool.' These materials are ideal for botanical dyes.
• Color and Pattern: Choose 'White' for optimal dye results. 'Ivory' and 'tan' can also work. Select 'solid' under patterns to avoid pre-existing designs
• Double-Check: For each new search, reapply your filters. It’s kind of silly but it seems to be necessary.

This method has helped me discover gems like undyed cotton skirts and dresses that I transform with natural dye!

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UNBLEACHED APPAREL

• As their name implies, all items here are unbleached, which is great for natural dye projects!
• Check out their two pack of 100% organic cotton tshirts for $32

HARVEST & MILL

• Beautiful undyed cotton shirts, sweatpants, and socks in shades of off-white and tan, made with the natural range of colors of cotton.
• Exceptional quality.

PATAGONIA

• Patagonia has a selection of undyed tank tops and tees. Some of the items are organic, regenerative organic certified, or made from cotton grown on farms that are transitioning to organic.
• Check that the items are 100% cotton, some have prints on them which could be interesting to experiment with.

FAIR INDIGO

• Lovely collection of fairly-made organic tshirts, button-ups, and more with undyed options.
• Great choice for options that are kind to both planet and people.

SUSTAIN BY KAT

• While this shop carries an extensive collection of botanically dyed clothing, they also have some lovely undyed and organic items that don’t have any chemical whiteners.
• Even if you’re not doing a dye project but have sensitive skin, you’ll want to check out this shop’s offerings.

MAIWA

• Wide range of organic cotton dyeables from a well-respected botanical dye source.
• They have fabrics, hankerchiefs, bandanas, tea towels, totes, shawls and scarves.

A VERB FOR KEEPING WARM

• Premordanted muslin, linen, and yarn - 100% ready for your dye projects!
• They are usually limited in stock so I would recommend getting some if you see them available.

WEAVER HOUSE

• Beautiful selection of fibers for weaving and threads for any kind of sewing project. Here are all of their options with organically sourced materials.
• If you’re even moderately into fibers, have a look here…it’s like being in a candy store! They have a huge selection of unusual and beautiful goods.

Considerations for Choosing Sustainable Fabrics

Certifications: When shopping, look for certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), Fair Trade, and OEKO-TEX. These labels guarantee that the fabric meets high environmental and ethical standards.

Price vs. Value: Sustainable fabrics will cost a bit more upfront, but think of it as an investment in quality and the planet.

Dye Compatibility: Always do a little test on a small swatch before diving into a big project.

Durability: Sustainable fabrics are often more durable than their conventional counterparts. You'll create pieces that last, reducing waste in the long run.

Tips for Beginners

Start Small: If you're new to sustainable fabrics and natural dyes, start with a small project. Try dyeing a few organic cotton napkins, a scarf, or a bandana. This way, you can get a feel for the process without feeling overwhelmed.

Sample Swatches: Always test your dyes on small fabric swatches before committing to a larger piece. This helps you see how the fabric will react and adjust your technique if needed. Fabric shops on etsy often sell samples, so you can experiment a little with those at an affordable price.

DIY Kits: There are some fantastic DIY kits out there that include everything you need to experiment with natural dyes, with botanical pigments and mordants included with instructions. They're a great way to dip your toes…and clothes…into eco-friendly dyeing. Check out kits from companies like Botanical Colors.

Sourcing sustainable fabric and clothing for botanical dye projects

In a nutshell, choosing sustainable fabrics for your dye projects is a win-win. You get beautiful, high-quality results while being kind to the planet.

So, next time you're planning a dye project, consider going the sustainable route. Your creations will not only look amazing but also have a positive impact on the environment.

For more tips on natural dyeing and sustainable practices, check out:

• Directory of Plants Used for Botanical Dye with Garden Layout Ideas
• Experimenting with Hollyhock Dye

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