Fabric is made from natural fibers [derived from plant, insect and animal sources] and synthetic fibers [derived from petrochemicals]. These fibers are bleached and dyed to create colors and patterns before and after they are woven or pressed into fabric. Fabrics are available to consumers as a raw material for creative projects, but are also made into products like clothing and furniture/décor and sold ready-made. In theater and film, fabrics are not only used for costumes and decorative set dressing, but also to skin flats, mask areas of the stage from view, and create drops [large panels/curtains] for lighting and architectural effects.

Natural fibers are often protected during production through the use of pesticides. Cotton is the most pesticide intensive crop on earth. Synthetic fabrics are, like plastics, made from petroleum. Bleaches and dyes produced and used for fabric production are frequently petrochemically derived and contribute to pollution both where they are produced and where they are used. “Fast clothes” – low cost garments which degrade quickly and are intended for disposal following the tides of fashion – have become a staple for young consumers. Used clothing, and the fabric scraps from clothing production, are most often sent to landfills because of the lack of commonly available recycling options.

Leather, yarn, fur, trim, woven fabric, pressed fabric and felt remnants… the use of these commonly wasted materials is a hot topic among artists and designers [see Columbia College Chicago’s show, Zero Waste: Fashion Repatterned, or DesignPhiladelphia 2012’s /adaptations/ for some interesting ideas]. Leave a comment or email info at theresourceexchange dot org to submit your idea for how to reuse textile remnants!