In this episode, we delve into the world of organic textiles and specifically focus on the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Our guest sheds light on the challenges and realities of meeting organic textile standards and emphasizes the importance of not dismissing organic textiles due to the presence of certain chemicals. We discuss the historical impact of synthetic dyes on textile production and the subsequent recovery towards more sustainable practices.The conversation delves into the significance of certifications like GOTS and their role in ensuring ethical and sustainable fabric production. We explore the growth of GOTS-certified facilities over the years, highlighting the increasing demand for transparency and traceability in the textile industry. Our guest shares insights into the certification process and the role of third-party certification bodies in auditing and verifying compliance.We also touch upon the efforts to develop a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to measure the impact of GOTS-certified textiles, including water savings and improved livelihoods. We discuss the importance of data and the ongoing quest to collect meaningful information on the industry's sustainability progress.Join us as we explore the journey of GOTS and the broader landscape of organic textiles. Discover how these standards are driving positive change in the industry and empowering consumers to make informed choices about the fabrics they purchase.ABOUT GOTSGOTS is the stringent voluntary global standard for the entire post-harvest processing (including spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing, and manufacturing) of apparel and home textiles made with certified organic fibre (such as organic cotton and organic wool), and includes both environmental and social criteria.Key provisions include a ban on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), highly hazardous chemicals (such as azo dyes and formaldehyde), and child labour, while requiring strong social compliance management systems and strict wastewater treatment practices.GOTS was developed by leading international standard setters - Organic Trade Association (U.S.), Japan Organic Cotton Association, International Association Natural Textile Industry (Germany) and Soil Association (UK) to define globally-recognised requirements that ensure the organic status of textiles, from field to finished product.GOTS is a non-profit organisation which is self-financed. For more information please visit www.global-standard.org and follow @globalorganictextilestandard on LinkedIn, Instagram, Youtube and FacebookSupport the showJoin The Green Stitcher's Hive at https://thegreenstitchershive.mn.co/ Follow Bridget O'Flaherty @thesustainablequilter on Instagram and @TheSustainableQuilter on Facebook. You can find her online at www.bridgetoflaherty.comThanks to Isaac Matthews for the music, follow him on Instagram @hesjustakid

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with the talented Radha Weaver, the creative force behind Sewing Through Fog. Radha's extensive background in the apparel and textile industry, spanning over 15 years, gives her a unique perspective on the world of quilting and sustainability.We kick off our conversation by delving into Radha's career journey and what led her to transition into the world of quilting. We explore the factors that prompted her to change directions and how her experiences in the fast fashion industry influenced her decision to focus on repurposed and upcycled fabrics in her quilting practice.As we dive deeper, Radha generously shares her expertise on what it truly means to quilt sustainably. We explore the intricacies of using repurposed fabrics and the importance of approaching it in a thoughtful and ethical way. Radha's insights and tips will inspire both seasoned quilters and those new to the craft to embrace sustainability and make conscious choices in their own quilting projects.Tune in to this enlightening conversation with Radha Weaver, as she sheds light on the world of modern quilting with repurposed and upcycled fabrics. Get ready to be inspired by her passion and knowledge as she helps us navigate the intersection of creativity and sustainability. Don't miss out on the invaluable wisdom shared in this episode!Radha WeaverSewing through Fog is the modern quilter's resource for quilting with repurposed and upcycled fabrics.Join Radha as she shares her unique expertise and passion, fueled by a 15-year career in the apparel and textile industry and a front seat to the rise of fast fashion.https://www.sewingthroughfog.com/@sewingthroughfogDownload Radha's free guide to quilting your closet: www.Sewingthroughfog.com/quiltyourclosetSupport the showJoin The Green Stitcher's Hive at https://thegreenstitchershive.mn.co/ Follow Bridget O'Flaherty @thesustainablequilter on Instagram and @TheSustainableQuilter on Facebook. You can find her online at www.bridgetoflaherty.comThanks to Isaac Matthews for the music, follow him on Instagram @hesjustakid

Join us for this episode with the lovely Krista Hennebury- prolific quilter and teacher who lives on Bowen Island, BC.  Our conversation gets into how  Krista started quilting, and then how her approach and practice has evolved and expanded to explore sustainability in different ways, such as by using retired clothing in quilts and creating useable objects out of scraps like jeans. We chat about some of the challenges and pressures around how to get out of creative slumps, and understanding creativity and creative practice broadly. About KristaKrista Hennebury is a geologist by training and quilter by choice. She's been quilting since 2000 in her home studio, currently located on Bowen Island, B.C. Her semi-retired blog is poppyprintcreates.blogspot.ca but these days she mostly shares on Instagram [email protected] Passionate about sharing her love of quilting with others and fostering community through stitching together, Krista established a successful day-retreat business in 2005. She is a popular teacher, presenter and certified Aurifilosopher, working with general and modern guilds all across Canada and internationally, including an Alaska cruise,  Australia, Sweden, the U.S., Scotland, England and at Quilt Canada 2019. Since 2020, Krista has taught and lectured at over 90 Zoom events around the world. She describes her work as traditionally-informed modern quilting, using designer prints, solids, linen and retired clothing. Her original patterns have been published in Stitch,  Australian Homespun, Quilters Connection, Simply Moderne and Quilt Now magazines. Krista’s had 15 quilts juried into QuiltCon and Quilt Canada since 2014 and won awards at both shows.Her book of retreat-inspired projects Make It, Take It was published by Martingale in 2015 and she’s twice been a guest on American Patchwork & Quilting Podcast with Pat Sloan. Krista is delighted that her quilt “Chess on the Steps” appears in Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century, 2017and her“Blackbird Fly” quilt appears in Thomas Knauer’s beautiful book Why We Quilt, 2019.Instagram: PoppyprintFB: Krista HenneburyBlog: poppyprintcreates.blogspot.comEmail: [email protected] Support the showJoin The Green Stitcher's Hive at https://thegreenstitchershive.mn.co/ Follow Bridget O'Flaherty @thesustainablequilter on Instagram and @TheSustainableQuilter on Facebook. You can find her online at www.bridgetoflaherty.comThanks to Isaac Matthews for the music, follow him on Instagram @hesjustakid

This episode features Graham Stewart, a textile production expert whose company Fibre52 is breaking new ground in sustainable cotton processing.  Our discussion explores the evolution of sustainable dying practices,  different types of dyes and their environmental impacts. Join us for this fascinating  conversation that touches on everything from the circular economy to the intricacies of textile supply chains, and how home sewers and textile artists can make informed choices around dying their fabrics. About Graham Graham Stewart is an international textile and apparel production fiber to brand specialist working with world-class organizations. For the past two years, Graham has developed and patented a more sustainable process to bleach and dye cotton.About FIBRE52Fibre52 is environmentally kind and cost-conscious processing for cotton with global application. It's an inexpensive replacement for traditional and outdated cotton preparation methods used to produce a PFD and dyed fabric. Fibre52 uses natural products instead of heavy chemicals, at lower temperatures, with less energy, less water, and less processing time.Website: https://www.fibre52.com/Support the showJoin The Green Stitcher's Hive at https://thegreenstitchershive.mn.co/ Follow Bridget O'Flaherty @thesustainablequilter on Instagram and @TheSustainableQuilter on Facebook. You can find her online at www.bridgetoflaherty.comThanks to Isaac Matthews for the music, follow him on Instagram @hesjustakid

Join us for this episode with the wonderful Zoe Edwards - sewing teacher, podcaster, and blogger, who works mostly in the garment sphere.  Our conversation jumps into all sorts of different topics. Zoe has lots of interesting insights into the fast fashion industry, having worked there earlier in her career. We dive into the complexities of what it really means to make your own clothes (and/or textile art) sustainably, how to encourage people to get more comfortable wearing their handmade wardrobes and to be mindful about making garments that they will love and wear for a long time. About ZoeZoe Edwards is a passionate sewing teacher, blogger, writer, and mother who is obsessed with all things sewing and sustainability. She started her blog, 'So, Zo... What Do You Know?' thirteen years ago, and it has since become a major fixture in the sewing-and-making community. Zoe created the popularwardrobe challenge 'Me-Made-May,' which has thousands of participants each year pledging to wear their 'me-mades' in new ways and improve their relationship with their handmade wardrobes. She has taught sewing and dressmaking classes for eight years and wrote a book during the lockdown in 2020 about mending and altering clothing, titled 'Mend It, Wear It, Love It.' Zoe's new podcast, 'Check Your Thread,' explores ways to reduce the impact of the climate crisis through sewing. She's a creative force who inspires others to pursue their passions with sustainability in mind.About Zoe's Check Your Thread PodcastEach week Check Your Thread looks at how to sew more sustainably, through inspiring conversation and fun explorations. For those of us who are concerned about the climate crisis but love sewing our own clothes, it’s an opportunity to nerd out about garment sewing, whilst figuring out ways to reduce the impact it may have on the planet. https://checkyourthread.com/https://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/https://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/p/about-me-made-may.htmlIG: https://www.instagram.com/checkyourthread/Support the showJoin The Green Stitcher's Hive at https://thegreenstitchershive.mn.co/ Follow Bridget O'Flaherty @thesustainablequilter on Instagram and @TheSustainableQuilter on Facebook. You can find her online at www.bridgetoflaherty.comThanks to Isaac Matthews for the music, follow him on Instagram @hesjustakid