In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the topic of sustainable fabric choices.
Choosing a good fabric makes a big difference when sewing, especially concerning sustainability. High-quality fabrics ensure that your handmade clothes are not only comfortable but also last a long time – without losing shape, even after many washes. Quality fabrics are also particularly resistant to pilling, so your favorite piece retains its beauty and brings joy for a long time.
Pure cotton, hemp, linen, and wool last for many years with good care and can be recycled.
Synthetic fabrics are often considered environmentally unfriendly: most synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, or acrylic are made from petroleum. Toxic chemicals and high temperatures are used. This causes greenhouse gas emissions and destroys the environment.
When washing synthetic clothing, tiny plastic fibers (microplastics) are released, which enter rivers and seas via wastewater. Synthetic fabrics are not biodegradable and often remain in the environment for decades. In landfills or in nature, they decompose very slowly – if at all.
Detailed information on the sustainability of individual fabrics can be found in our blog post "Which fabric is the most environmentally friendly?".
Do you know this too? After the first wash, the side seam of your shirt twists – annoying! With self-sewn clothing, this doesn't happen if you use high-quality fabrics. But how do you recognize good quality?
Pay attention to a uniform structure and a cleanly printed pattern. For example, you can check along the selvage to see if the pattern is distorted.
Test the fabric on sensitive skin areas, and do not buy scratchy fabric.
Smell: if the fabric smells chemical, it could have been treated with undesirable additives.
Material composition: Natural fibers are generally of higher quality than synthetic fabrics.
Quality seals like the GOTS seal can help when shopping.
With high-quality fabrics, your sewing project will not only be more beautiful but also more durable.
If you want to read more about fabric quality, check out our blog post on fabric quality.
Deadstock fabric refers to unused or surplus fabrics from overproduction, cancelled orders, or production errors. Instead of being disposed of, they can be reused, which saves resources and reduces textile waste.
BUT: not all deadstock fabrics are sustainable and/or biodegradable.
More detailed information can be found in our blog on Deadstock Fabric/Overproduction.
Buying sustainable fabrics can take a lot of time and effort. Seals can help make sustainable decisions.
The GOTS seal is one of the strictest seals worldwide. Fabrics with the GOTS seal must consist of at least 70% organically produced natural fibers. Ecological standards include that the use of harmful chemicals is strictly regulated to minimize environmental impact. Social standards guarantee fair working conditions, including minimum wages, prohibition of child labor, and protection of workers.
The OEKO-TEX Made in Green seal focuses on chemical freedom and transparency for customers. This certificate checks for the presence of approximately 1,000 harmful substances. Social standards must be met through fair wages, regular working hours, and safety at the workplace. Transparency: traceability and transparent supply chains.
The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 seal does not verify ecological sustainability but merely guarantees that the fabric is free of harmful substances. Environmental and labor protection in fabric production play no role. It is expressly NOT a certificate for organic fabrics!
Fairtrade Certified Cotton is a seal for fairly traded cotton. It ensures that cotton farmers receive fair prices and can work under better social and environmental conditions.
More details can be found in our blog.
Sewing your own clothes is a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. A conscious fabric choice plays a decisive role in this.
The quality of the fabrics plays a major role in how long your sewn garments last. Sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp, linen, and recycled fabrics are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Surplus fabrics from the industry (Deadstock / overproduction) can be reused to reduce textile waste.
When it comes to fabric quantity, we can shop more consciously – excessive fabric purchases can be avoided by buying project-based and reducing impulse purchases.
Certificates such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX Made in Green, and Fairtrade help identify sustainable fabrics.
Every small change in fabric purchasing contributes to more sustainability!
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.
