Buying sustainable fabrics can be time-consuming and costly. Certification labels can help by providing guidance.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
Textiles with the GOTS label meet very strict ecological and social criteria. This label focuses on organic materials and ecological and social standards along the entire production chain.
The OEKO-TEX Made in Green seal
This seal focuses on chemical-free products and transparency for customers. This certificate tests materials for approximately 1,000 harmful substances. Social standards must be maintained through fair wages, regular working hours, and workplace safety. Transparency: Traceability and transparent supply chains.
This certificate does not verify ecological sustainability, but merely guarantees that the fabric is free of harmful substances. Environmental and occupational health and safety in fabric production are not considered – it is solely concerned with . This is expressly NOT a certificate for organic fabrics!
Fairtrade seal certified cotton
Fairtrade Certified Cotton is a label for fairly traded cotton. It ensures that cotton farmers receive fair prices and can work under better social and environmental conditions. Here are some key aspects:
Discover why sewing is a sustainable hobby; and how it helps avoid overproductions and waste caused by fast fashion.
There are many ways to save materials and sew more sustainably at home. Using projector files or A0 plotting reduces paper waste, while recycled paper helps minimize printing impact. Eco‑friendly marking tools like tailor’s chalk avoid plastic waste, and old fabrics can be reused for test pieces. Thoughtful choices make sewing more resource‑efficient.
Discover how you can make sustainable fabric choices: Sustainable fabric choices help reduce waste and make handmade clothing last longer. High‑quality natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, linen, wool, and lyocell are durable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. Conscious fabric shopping, using your existing fabric stash, and choosing certified materials (GOTS, OEKO‑TEX Made in Green, Fairtrade) all support more sustainable sewing practices.
If you want your handmade clothes to last, craftsmanship matters. The better the workmanship, the longer your garment will hold up. These sewing techniques help your clothes stay beautiful and durable — so you can enjoy them for years.
Learn how to reuse sewing leftovers sustainably. Paper scraps can be repurposed for pattern adjustments or crafts, while fabric scraps are perfect for DIY projects like scrunchies, coasters, bags, and patchwork. Larger pieces can be donated or exchanged, and natural fibers can even be composted. Upcycling, repairing, and creative reuse help reduce waste and make sewing more sustainable.
Which fabric is most sustainable for clothing?
Sustainable fashion doesn't start with design or production—it starts with the fabric. But which fabric is truly environmentally friendly? Between organic cotton, linen, hemp, and recycled polyester, it's easy to get lost. In this article, we take a look at different materials and clarify which fibers are particularly sustainable—and why.
