The Organic Wool Project: Information
for Designer-Makers
The Organic Wool Fabric Project is a collaboration between designer makers, Llynfi Textiles, and organic wool producer, Ystrad Farm. It is part funded by Better Organic Business Links, Wales. It aims:
- to raise the profile and explore the potential of organic wool
- to establish a broad community of interest that spans wool producers, designers, makers and the general public
- to showcase the potential for organic wool and the quality, innovation and commitment to sustainability of designer/makers in the UK.
We
all know wool is great! Sustainable, natural, traditionally British, both cool
and warm in many ways. Organic Wool takes it all further:
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| copyright Juliet Morris |
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it
all starts with the organic farm, caring deeply for the land, not just
producing but also investing – in strong natural eco-systems, for today and
tomorrow;
·
and
organic sheep, properly cared for, to welfare standards that build healthy
immune systems and avoid the routine or unnecessary use of drugs and chemicals
- including pesticides on fleeces;
·
which
means organic wool starts its processing journey free of harmful residues and continues
that way – through scouring, carding and spinning – with none of the
environmentally polluting treatments, aggressive acids, toxic chemicals, petroleum
products, chlorine, enzymes, plasticisers that may be used on conventional wool;
·
even
the dyeing, if it needs to be done, must be with modern low impact dyes or
natural dyes, avoiding dangerous heavy metals;
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| copyright Juliet Morris |
·
and
finally, the organic certification standards apply to knit and weave - making
sure that finished products are fully traceable, all the way back to the
organic fleece … and that textile workers are treated fairly too!
BUT
… organic wool produced in the UK rarely realises this potential. Whilst we’ve
woken up to organic cotton, the demand for locally produced organic wool barely
reaches beyond the sheep. Once shorn, the organic value of its fleece is lost. Shear
waste!
The
aim of this project is to champion the possibilities for organic wool - through
a report, a website ….and the imagination of selected designer–makers to create
a small collection of products to showcase some specially commissioned, GOTS
certified, Welsh Wool Fabric.
Which
is where you come in!
Successful applicants will receive a length of the Wool Fabric to make their item. (Please note: there will not be a charge for this but, due to the high value of the fabric, we will require a deposit in the form of a cheque which will be returned to you on receipt of your entry. )
We
want to create a talking point, a think piece, a chance to raise the debate. If
you believe in the value of wool, if you care about the textiles you use in
your work, then we need your help getting the message out!
We
envisage: a carefully curated and eclectic collection of … women’s, children's
and men's wear … accessories … millinery … footwear … interiors … cushions … lampshades … toys … anything else
… ? Over to you!
Initially,
the collection will showcase at Wonderwool Wales, Builth Wells, Powys 27th -
28th April and, of course, be promoted online. We’ll set up a blog and a facebook
page for contributors. We want an online community with plenty of thoughts, ideas,
and good stories - key to capturing media attention and getting our collection
on the road. We have financial backing from Organic Centre Wales and the promotional
support of the Soil Association, and we’re going to make the most of it.
The
prize if you’re selected? No money - but your work on display, with your
details alongside, and your own chance to promote your part in this pioneering
project - raising the profile and releasing the potential of home-grown organic
WOOL.
The Essential Stuff.
Contact
sue@llynfitextiles.co.uk for the
full details. It's really important that you read the terms and conditions and then,
if you’re happy with it all, fill in the application form - signed please (but
returned by email is fine).
In
the meantime, any questions? Don't hesitate to ask.
Llynfi Textiles
Ystrad Farm
Organic Centre Wales
Soil Association
Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS)
The samples arrived, as most things seem to from India, in a
cotton bound package, stitched up and wax sealed -almost too pretty to unwrap,
but the lure of the contents was far too great. I carefully slipped out the
booklet and there in my hands was an Aladin's cave on A4 sheets of copier card.
Whilst thoroughly getting lost in this era, I came across a brilliant quote from a Victorian book titled Hints to Lady Travellers by L C Davidson, written in 1889. Her advise for women on cycling tours was to ‘Wear as few petticoats as possible; dark woollen stockings in winter, and cotton in summer; shoes, never boots; and have your gown made neatly and plainly of flannel without loose ends or drapery to catch in your [bicycle]... Grey is the best colour, or heather mixture tweed, which does not show dust or mud stains...’
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