Has It Been This Long?

Hello Spring. There are new things for sale at Trapper Jane.

What is She Building in There?

The last year has flown by. I've been too busy making things to post. Here are a few images from the 2011 Trapper Jane All Season Wear Archive:

trapperjane.etsy.com

Lucky x 2

You are lucky if you live in New York because 1. you live in New York, and 2. there's a wholesale fabric show happening in New York specifically for small manufacturers. Low minimums. Go.

Hotel Pennsylvania
New York City
February 6-7, 2012
Hours: 9:30 to 6:00

This information courtesy of Fashion Incubator and more details can be found on the FI Website.

Knit & Weave II

Voila! The second Knit & Weave link list:

-Brutal Knitting -need I say more?

-I look forward to reading this book someday:  Knitted Clothing Technology by Terry Brackenbury

-I've been seeing a lot of trees wearing sweaters lately. Apparently, I'm not the only one. Knit & Purl -International Yarn Bombing Day shows knitwear like you may never have seen it before.

-The last link is on the Poppy Gall Blog which is an interesting blog to visit for insight into another's design inspirations and processes. I found her site via this post on the always amazing Fashion Incubator.

-Sri Threads. Incredible textiles.

-Really excited to have found a post about the Tripod Loom in Sierra Leone from the Adire African Textiles blog. Looking forward to setting up my Grandma's old loom which I mentioned in this post.

Happy clicking!

All Things Considered

So there's a link between skinny jeans and Tar Sands after all. According to an article found over at the Knitting Industry News blog:

"RadiciSpandex Corp., a U.S. RadiciGroup company engaged in the production of RadElast spandex, is developing the world’s first eco-friendly elastane using a 100% renewably sourced material (biopolymer).

“The innovative product line will be the world’s first spandex consisting of 80% biomaterial made from a 100% renewable source (corn), as opposed to propylene, an oil derivative,” a statement from the company said today.

According to RadiciSpandex, not only does the use of biopolymer help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but the production process also emits fewer greenhouse gasses and uses less energy than petroleum-based processes. The company claims its new green elastane fibre will ensure the highest environmental sustainability while providing excellent performance (greater stretch and high-speed spinning) and good quality."

Knit & Weave I

I propose a link chase. Below you'll find a small handful of sites and pages that might be of interest to anyone wanting to learn a little more about textile production. This is Part I...

The articles and links on this website could easily eat up a few hours of any workday so watch out for this gem: Knitting Industry News.

This lesson in woven suiting is very informative: 'Sharkskin, Herringbone, and Houndstooth' via Department of Textilesmithing

These links speak for themselves:

Textile Technologist
Textile Source Blog
Textile/Weaving Library

Always fun to look at...An Ambitious Project Collapsing

The Footprint of a Bra

Ever wondered what it would be? The Knitting Industry News Blog has an answer for you. Apparently, Marks and Spencer has come out with a carbon neutral bra. I like that companies are adopting environmentally and socially ethical practices in the production of their wares. It's good business. What I wonder about are the convoluted, marketing-driven formulas that beg and borrow credits to make their products and manufacturing processes appear environmentally benign.

If I were to reverse-spin the carbon credit logic and take out the green-wash, it might look as if some companies are granting themselves permission to pollute and then making it a selling point. Are you buying it?