Making Good: Making Textiles Sustainable

10 Qualities of Slow Cloth, by Elaine Lipson

I defined Slow Cloth several years ago on this blog. Read the original post at http://lainie.typepad.com/redthread/2008/01/this-must-be-th-1.html. (Copyright Elaine Lipson 2007-2011; all rights reserved).
Joy
Slow Cloth has the possibility of joy in the process. In other words, the journey matters as much as the destination.
Contemplation
Slow Cloth offers the quality of meditation or contemplation in the process.
Skill
Slow Cloth involves skill and has the possibility of mastery.
Diversity
Slow Cloth acknowledges the rich diversity and multicultural history of textile art.
Teaching
Slow Cloth honors its teachers and lineage even in its most contemporary expressions.
Materials
Slow Cloth is thoughtful in its use of materials and respects their source.
Quality
Slow Cloth artists, designers, crafters and artisans want to make things that last and are well-made.
Beauty
It's in the eye of the beholder, yes, but it's in our nature to reach for beauty and create it where we can.
Community
Slow Cloth supports community by sharing knowledge and respecting relationships.
Expression
Slow Cloth is expressive of individuals and/or cultures. The human creative force is reflected and evident in the work.

International Market for Sustainable Apparel (Market Study)
Handbook of Organic and Fair Trade Marketing
I wrote a chapter on the U.S. market for this excellent Europe-focused handbook.
The Organic Foods Sourcebook
A guide to the meaning and benefits of organic (published 2001)

Slow Cloth on HandEye Online
Green is In! The Growing Market for Organic and Sustainable Apparel (Organic Processing Magazine)
The Strength of Beauty: Genevieve Dion's Multi-Dimensional Work (Surface Design Journal)
Profile of textile artist Genevieve Dion from Spring 2003 issue of Surface Design Journal
Yoga Works!
Research into yoga's benefits, written for Yoga Journal magazine.
One Nation, Organically Grown
Written for Organic Valley Family of Farms shortly after the finalization of federal organic standards
La Vida Local: Support Regional Foods
I wrote a column on organic retailing and business for Natural Grocery Buyer, a now-defunct trade magazine. This 2005 column was a favorite.
Organic Foods in Schools: Eleven Tips for Change
Sidebar/resource for "Organic Foods in Schools"
Organic Foods in Schools
Written in 2003 for the O'Mama Report, a Web site produced by the Organic Trade Association
Into the Mystic
Article on Tibetan physical yoga practices, from Yoga Journal, May/June 2000
The Organic Majority
From the Fall 2004 issue of Natural Grocery Buyer (trade magazine published by New Hope Natural Media)

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All Rights Reserved All original words and images on this blog are the property of Elaine Marie Lipson, copyright 2007 - 2013, with all rights reserved. Please contact me for permission to reprint or republish anything on this site. I request that you DO NOT PIN from this site. It's also a professional courtesy to link back to this site if you paraphrase or quote me. Non-original work on this site is attributed as such.