Week 7, Textiles Contd, Reading, "Textiles for Residential and Commercial Interiors", by A. Willbanks et al.

This weeks reading, chapters four and five of, "Textiles For Residential And Commercial Interiors" was an in depth, detailed look into the world of textile fibers (ch. 4) and yarn (ch.5).  Chapter four was organized into sections dealing with natural fibers, manufactured fibers, and the advancements in manufactured fiber technology.  The reading is meant to target readers in the interior design industry, as evidenced by the book's title.  However, chapter four in particular read more like a periodical that would appear in the science section of the New York Times (save for the really technical parts of the  reading that had to do with the microscopic cross-sections of the fibers, the NYT editors certainly would have deleted that section in their version).  While it absolutely focused on fibers, it included the political, environmental, and regulatory issues raised by all of the fibers.  In this respect this chapter really included some strong arguments for and against the use of specific fibers.  For example, while cotton is a widely used fiber, its advantages are overshadowed by it's environmental damage.  It is not a renewable material and in fact has a high environmental footprint, which is so personally disappointing to me.  Cotton is advertised as the, "fabric of our lives"  and as an American, jeans and cotton t-shirts are my staple closet occupant, not to mention my soft cotton sheets and towels.  But after reading this I am absolutely disappointed in a few things.

Why is this the first time I have heard about this?  Environmentalism and sustainability are such hot topics right now, and while i know all about the ill effects of the factory farming industry, I know not about fiber farming.  I guess you could say I am an ignorant fabric consumer, but information like what was offered in this reading does not seem widely available, or at the very least circulated.  The fact that cotton farming is responsible for 25% of pesticide use nationally alone makes me want to run and burn down my closet.  On a more positive note, while the reading did show the negative aspects of the cotton farming industry, it did give the organic cotton industry a nod for its effort to reduce pesticides and ameliorate the problems associated by the conventional cotton farming methods.  Also, while this reading really highlighted the non renewable aspects of cotton, it also highlighted and gave a surprisingly compelling argument for the use and production of another fiber, hemp.

By the author's account hemp is this magic fiber that has been historically demonized by its close association with marijuana, and thus is heavily regulated.  However, hemp fiber properties make it an especially viable alternative to that of cotton, "The pollution f soil and water by fertilizers and pesticides used in growing cotton has been a constatn battleground for environmentalists.  Because of its unique nature, hemp can easily be grown organically.  hemp is naturally resistant to mold, bacteria, and insects Hemp is grown wiout pesticides, herbicides, or agricultural chemicals."  Additionally, the reading continues to explain that hemp yield larger amount of fiber in the same amount of space than both cotton and flax.  While this reading goes on and explores the various other fibers and then yarns used in the manufacturing of fabrics, this particular section regarding hemp really sparked interest with me.
Personally, I am as anti-drug as they come, but the simple facts offered in this reading are logical, reasonable, and difficult to argue against.  As a future designer and proponent of LEED design, hemp, as the reading suggests, truly does seem the fiber of choice for the future of textiles.  Especially when you consider how strong the architectural and interior design communities push for and move towards sustainability in their designs, hemp really stands out among the fibers of the world as a leader in sustainability. 

I really appreciated this reading, but I most liked its mention of each fibers manufacturing process and its respective sustainability.  As a future designer, readings like this really add to my knowledge base especially regarding the wide-spread implications of the choices I will make on behalf of my clients.



I thought I should come back and add a few images I collected of hemp fabrics and their uses.  For some reason most of the designs using hemp fabrics look very much so like a hippie designed them.  so pleas forgive that my first few images look like hippie wear, at least we can't smell the patchouli via my blog.

 

Yes this is a hemp hippie bag, as evidenced by the lack of superior design aesthetics, but at least its sustainable

This belt really hits the trifecta for a statement piece.  Its obvious rainbow color is proof that hemp can by dyed various colors, or that you support the gay pride movement, the design is strictly hippie, and the material is ... you guessed it, hemp!

 This is a woman's hiking shoe from Patagonia.  All of the fabric is hemp, the sole and insulation are both made from recycled rubber and poly-fill, respectively, and oh yes those laces are also hemp ladies.

 I found this shirt online when I googled hemp t-shirts.  I selected this one in particular because the slogan seems as if it could have been coined by the writers of this weeks reading, because they really did advocated in the reading that hemp was nature's wonder fiber.

 

Proof that hemp cloth can come in a sophisticated fabric

Hemp fabric again here, that has been embroidered with hemp yarn to create these lovely plants

I saved the best for last.  This cute little AKC pup is all snugly on a hemp dog bed filled with hemp fiber fill.  It is really an ideal application for hemp because of its anti-microbial properties and its durability. Yaay for hemp.  This dog bed is officially on my Christmas list.