Fair Fashion Fabric...

When I was 14 years old, my grandmother gave me one of my favorite gifts - a beautiful sewing machine. As a result, I absolutely fell in love with making clothing!

I made this baby dress for one of my friends with this organic cotton sateen in Stornetta Blue from Organic Cotton Plus.

Sewing allows you to exercise so much creativity! I love choosing the fabric and the challenge of understanding and deciphering patterns thrills me! Sewing can be one of the most frustrating yet rewarding things all at once! Anyone who has ever had to seam rip a hem or had their machine thread jam completely understands haha!

As you know, I like to research and find ethical businesses that are making a difference in the world and treating their employees fairly. Therefore, I went on the hunt for a place I could buy thread, notions and fabric. Thankfully, I found Organic Cotton Plus. They are GOTS certified (Global Organic Textile Standard) and according to their website they are, "the only online fabric retailer that has been able to achieve certification to this standard." Pretty impressive!

But what in the world does GOTS certified even mean, you ask? Great question! According to the Global Organic Textile Standard website their, "standard stipulates requirements throughout the supply chain for both ecology and labour conditions in textile and apparel manufacturing using organically produced raw materials. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic, persistent pesticides and fertilizers."

Ok, so that's great but what about labor rights and the people working there? Their website also has a list of the required social criteria which contains the following points - "Employment is freely chosen,"

"Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected,"

"Working conditions are safe and hygienic,"

"Child labour must not be used,"

"Living wages,"

"Working hours are not excessive,"

"No discrimination is practised,"

"Regular employment is provided,"

"Harsh or inhumane treatment is prohibited".

(More detailed information here if you want to check it out!) Now that is a company worth supporting, don't you think?

I made this baby dress out of fabric from a scrap bag that my grandmother passed down to me. The buttons were from my great aunt's button stash! Always check what fabric, notions and thread you already have before buying more! You'll be amazed at what you can find laying around!

Organic Cotton Plus has free shipping in the US for orders over $50! I love ordering things in the mail because it feels like Christmas when that package appears on the doorstep!

Any other seamstresses out there? Let me know in the comments what projects you're working on now!

The pattern for both of these dresses was found here! Check out her website! She has great patterns for free!