natural fabrics

Why wool felt coasters beat ceramic coasters (the answer may surprise you!)

August 30, 2013

A few weeks ago, I took some time to detail how Cotton & Flax coasters are made. One thing I didn’t really dig into is why Cotton & Flax coasters are made from 100% merino wool felt. It comes down to a few different reasons, some more obvious than others.

I prefer to use natural materials. If you’ve read this blog before, you’re probably noticed that my love for natural fibers has no end. They are often the most sustainable option (especially when compared with fabrics and materials made using petroleum or plastics), and I prefer to use natural materials in homegoods, because who wants something in their home that might be leaching or offgassing a toxic chemical? Not me. I prefer to stick with natural fibers, which are kinder to humans, and then environment as a whole.

I also love the huge range of colors available to me when using fibers. Wood and ceramic options just didn’t measure up in terms of the wide variety of color options.

Finally, I just love the experience of using them. I’ve had customers tell me that they prefer the wool felt coasters just because they are quieter. Imagine that! Comparing the experience of setting an icy glass down onto a ceramic coaster, and onto a Cotton & Flax wool felt coaster – there’s really no contest. The wool felt muffles the sound, and protects your furniture just as efficiently. There are lots of other reasons to prefer felt coasters, but those subtle improvements are really the biggest reason to make the switch.

Folding tea towels

August 16, 2013

I’ve been folding lots of newly printed tea towels lately, many of which are already in the shop. There’s something so satisfying in making stacks or piles, especially if it’s of things you’ve made by hand.

I’ll be spending some time this weekend testing out new products that will debut in the fall – this year is flying by!

VOTE – Fall Coaster Colors for Cotton & Flax

August 1, 2013

I’m getting things ready for the fall/winter collection for Cotton & Flax, and I can’t seem to decide what new color I’d like to add to the coaster collection. I already use three wonderful colors (shown above): gold, charcoal, and latte. I’m hoping to add a rich, dark color to the collection for fall, perhaps you’d like to help me choose between these four?

[polldaddy poll=7293038]

Name that color!

February 27, 2013

I have been spending some time today working on my product descriptions over in the shop, and I keep stumbling over how to describe this fabric color. It’s such a beautiful fabric, and has consistently been one of my best sellers, but my customers all seem to describe it differently. Some say it’s a mustard color, some say olive… all I can say for sure is that it’s a gorgeously saturated yellow-green.

How about it, readers? Feel like giving me some suggestions on what to call this color?

Linen, beautiful linen.

August 21, 2012

This is the last of the linen fabric I’ll be printing for the 2011/2012 line of patterned textiles. Sad to see some of these colors go, but excited to start printing on the next batch of colorful linen. Hoping to have these last ones printed this week, I’ll be sure to post photos of the finished products.

I love linen for so many reasons (durability, how it gets softer with age…) but the beauty of woven linen fabric always makes me swoon at this magnification. So rustic, yet comfortable at the same time. It’s a joy to work with such wonderful materials.

To dye, or not to dye (fabrics).

July 24, 2012

Today I’m compiling swatches of potential fabrics I’ll be using in my next round of textiles, here’s a little peek of the fabrics I’m fond of right now. I’ll have to narrow it down considerably, since I try to stick with just four or five colors for my work, which helps me to keep the focus on the patterns.

I’m really loving the play between the brights and the pastels, but I keep getting into a rut because I can’t find a really bright tomato red. Everything I find is too ruby toned or leaning more towards carrot, which has me thinking that I may start hand dying fabric in small batches… as if I don’t have enough to do already.

Anyone have experience dying fabrics? I’ve done it before, but I’m sure there are lots of tips and tricks I’m unfamiliar with. Say hello on Twitter if you want to share ideas and resources about dying textiles, I’d love to hear them!