Sewing Glossary: Terms, Lingo, & Slang
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September 24, 2020
The fashion industry stands at a crucial intersection of creativity and responsibility. As consumer awareness grows and environmental challenges intensify, sustainable fashion has evolved from a niche concern to a fundamental business imperative. This section explores the principles, practices, and innovations that are reshaping textile production and fashion consumption toward a more sustainable future.
Sustainable fashion encompasses the entire lifecycle of garments—from fiber production and fabric manufacturing to design, use, and end-of-life disposal. It considers environmental impact, social responsibility, and economic viability, recognizing that true sustainability requires balance across all three dimensions.
Traditional textile production carries significant environmental costs. Conventional cotton farming consumes vast quantities of water and relies heavily on pesticides. Synthetic fiber production depends on petroleum resources and can release microplastics. However, sustainable alternatives offer compelling solutions:
GOTS-certified organic cotton eliminates synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, reduces water consumption through better soil health, and protects farm workers from chemical exposure. Organic cotton farming also promotes biodiversity and supports more resilient agricultural systems.
Transforming post-consumer plastic bottles and textile waste into new fabrics diverts materials from landfills, reduces petroleum consumption, and requires significantly less energy than virgin polyester production. GRS-certified recycled polyester provides traceable environmental benefits without compromising performance.
Sustainable silk production emphasizes animal welfare, organic sericulture practices, and fair labor conditions. When sourced responsibly, silk offers biodegradability, longevity, and natural luxury that aligns with circular fashion principles.
Next-generation viscose fibers like EcoVero use wood pulp from certified sustainable forests, employ closed-loop production processes that minimize environmental impact, and reduce emissions and water usage compared to conventional viscose.
Sustainable fashion extends beyond environmental considerations to encompass fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and economic empowerment for textile workers. We work exclusively with manufacturing partners who meet rigorous social compliance standards, ensuring that the fabrics we supply support both people and planet.
The future of sustainable fashion lies in circularity—designing garments for longevity, enabling repair and reuse, and ensuring materials can be recycled or safely returned to nature. Our fabric selection supports circular fashion through:
The sustainable fabric landscape continues to evolve rapidly. New innovations include bio-based synthetics, agricultural waste-derived fibers, waterless dyeing technologies, and blockchain traceability systems that provide unprecedented transparency in textile supply chains.
Sustainable fabrics are no longer a premium niche—they’re becoming the industry standard. Forward-thinking brands recognize that sustainability drives customer loyalty, mitigates supply chain risks, and positions companies advantageously as regulations tighten. Investing in sustainable fabrics is investing in your brand’s future relevance.
Explore our collection of sustainable textiles, learn about relevant certifications, and discover how to communicate your sustainability story authentically to customers. We’re here to support your transition to more responsible fabric sourcing.
Cras ultricies ligula sed magna dictum porta. Vivamus magna justo, lacinia eget consectetur sed, convallis at tellus.
Fabric labels often have abbreviations and some of these generally accepted abbreviations are for non-English words. So here is a handy little reference chart showing
What are your sewing room must haves? Here is our list of products that you definitely need in your workroom to assist with any sewing project.
Cras ultricies ligula sed magna dictum porta. Vivamus magna justo, lacinia eget consectetur sed, convallis at tellus.
Fabric labels often have abbreviations and some of these generally accepted abbreviations are for non-English words. So here is a handy little reference chart showing
What are your sewing room must haves? Here is our list of products that you definitely need in your workroom to assist with any sewing project.
Share your fabric requirements and our team will get back to you within 24 hours.