U.S. Rolls Out Plan to Bolster Cotton: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced yesterday the launch of the “Great American Cotton Plan” as part of a “Plant Not Plastic” initiative. The program aims to rebuild America’s domestic textile manufacturing capacity and increase consumer awareness of natural agricultural fibers over plastic-based synthetics to combat microplastic pollution. Supporters say the plan will help sustain American cotton production, while critics note that federal commodity programs are typically tied to acreage and production history, which can result in larger farming operations receiving a greater share of available benefits. | Read more at USDA
Seaweed-Based Dyes Make a Splash: Dutch company Zeefier is turning locally sourced seaweed into natural textile dyes as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based colorants. Co-founder Anne Boermans noted that labels often state the content of the fabric but not where the color comes from. “I can guarantee you that in almost all cases, it’s petrol‑based,” she said. One major issue with synthetic dyes is that they can stop otherwise natural materials like wool and cotton from properly decomposing. The company says its algae-derived dyes allow these natural fabrics to remain fully biodegradable. With a growing palette of colors, the innovation highlights how overlooked marine resources could help address one of the textile industry's less visible environmental challenges. | Read more at the European Commission's Oceans & Fisheries Department
Wool Demand Outpaces Supply: After years of sitting in the shadow of synthetic fibers, wool is experiencing a resurgence driven by consumer interest in natural materials and concerns about microplastic pollution. But producers say the industry is struggling to keep pace. According to a recent Marketplace report, decades of shrinking flocks, mill closures and a shortage of skilled shearers have left the supply chain ill-equipped to meet renewed demand. The story (which you can also listen to) highlights a growing challenge for the natural fiber sector: rebuilding the infrastructure needed to support a larger market after years of decline. | Read more at Marketplace
🖼️ New Exhibits
Bound by the High Desert: On display through June 20, a new exhibition in Santa Fe is celebrating contemporary fiber artists who transform local materials and traditional techniques into modern works of art. Bound by the High Desert features New Mexico makers working in weaving, felting and textile-based sculpture. Set against the historic adobe walls of El Zaguán—handmade in 1854—the exhibition celebrates the evolution of tradition. | Read more at Historic Santa Fe Foundation
Photo by Stephen Jones (UK) via Wikimedia Commons.
🐑 Fiber Feature
Soay Sheep: A Living Link to the Bronze Age: One of the world's most primitive sheep breeds, the Soay sheep has changed very little over thousands of years. Originating on the remote island of Soay in Scotland's Outer Hebrides these small, agile sheep are thought to be connected to the Vikings. (“Soay” is essentially the Norse word for “Sheep Island.”)
These little guys shed their fleece naturally each spring, meaning they can be rooed (or plucked) rather than shorn, and their wool is fine and soft. This conservation breed also offers a variation of colors often coveted by hand spinners. | Read more at The Livestock Conservancy
🧶 From the Studio:
Grab your beachy, boho bag pattern at a discounted rate directly on my site!
Penelope's Loom: Weaving as Resistance: In Homer's Odyssey, weaving becomes more than a household craft. It becomes a political strategy. While awaiting the return of her husband, Odysseus, Penelope is pressured by dozens of suitors seeking her hand (and control of his kingdom). She promises to choose a new husband only after completing a burial shroud for her father-in-law. But each night, she secretly unravels the day's weaving to delay the decision for years. Her loom becomes a tool of resistance, allowing her to maintain power, protect her household and outwit those seeking to force her hand. The story remains one of history's most enduring examples of textile work as both art and agency.
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