With that idea in mind I decided to go online to search out a few craft projects. I discovered quite a few gift item ideas that take just a small amount of effort; hardly any fabric; and – best of all – don’t require a huge financial outlay. Also, nobody needs to be extremely accomplished in sewing in order to create them – which is great if you have older children interested in putting their own touches on a special Mother’s Day gift.

What I liked best about these craft ideas is that even though each gift calls for a certain kind of fabric or a special scent,  there are no hard-and-fast rules that say we can’t swap out one fabric or scent over another. As you read through these craft ideas, allow your imagination to have free rein. With all the available fabric options here at Organic Cotton Plus, who knows what great ideas you can come up with? I’m betting that you’ll surprise yourself as well as Mom!

♥ Here’s an interesting gift idea:  create a Sleep Mask for Mom from Crafts-For-All-Seasons.com. On this website the sleep mask is made with two pieces of felt, but this mask could easily be made using our Style #15841 Natural Interlock or Style #15842 Lavender Interlock. Embellish your sleep mask with beading, sequins, buttons, or add interest with lace, fabric paint, or rick rack.

♥ Another great gift to make is a Cinnamon Pot Mat. Pot mats are wonderful gifts – just place a hot pot on them and soon the attractive scent of cinnamon is released by the heat and wafts through the air! I found this craft on Craftbits.com. All you’d need to create this Pot Mat is a small piece of organic cotton fabric such as our Style #16018 Twill, some organic cotton Batting/Stuffing, and Cinnamon Oil or Ground Cinnamon. This Pot Mat is so easy to make that even a child or beginning sewer could manage it. If you don’t care for the scent of cinnamon, try Peppermint Oil, or maybe Eucalyptus. Lots of scenting options can be found in craft stores in the candle-and-soapmaking aisles. Not only is this a great Mother’s Day gift idea, but I’m going to make several differently scented Pot Mats for Christmas gifts too.

♥ An idea that I came up myself with is easy to make, but takes a little more time and effort to complete.

You’ll need some organic cotton Denim fabric such as our Style #15783 and a plain straw beach-type hat (I found mine at Wal-Mart.) First I decided to color the natural fabric with a natural dye I made myself (more on this at the bottom of the page*). After the fabric dried, I cut a 2 1/2″ strip from it, turned the edges over 1/4″ and ironed them in place with a bit of fusible webbing to hold them there.  Using this strip I created a hat band on the straw hat, sewing the ends together by hand (after cutting off the excess). I also placed a few stitches through the hat band into the actual hat, just to hold the band in place to prevent it slipping off.

With other pieces of the dyed denim, I fashioned several small fabric “roses”, using a few well-placed stitches to hold each rose closed. Then I attached them to the hat band. This can be done either by sewing them onto the hat band, or by inserting a small safety pin into each rose and pinning it to the hat band (which makes for easy removal if the wearer should decide they wish to take the fabric flowers off for any reason.) Additional matching roses could be attached to a straw beach bag, or glued to a brooch jewelry finding for Mom to pin onto her beach coverup which will complete the outfit!

If, like me, you do a quick online search you will find many easy FREE projects for those who don’t have a lot of sewing practice. And there are lots of FREE options for the more experienced crafters and sewers too.

Moms, sit down with your kids and have fun as you search together for projects to make for Aunts, Grandmothers, “Other Mothers”, next-door neighbors, babysitters, and other special women whom you’d like to acknowledge on Mother’s Day. Not only is this a wonderful bonding experience but just the act of creating a gift together will foster in your children an appreciation for making a meaningful gift from the heart with emotional value, instead of wasting a  lot of money to purchase a sterile, expensive, store-bought gift.

Crafting a Mother’s Day gift teaches your children how to say “I love you” by using their imagination and without breaking the bank. And what Mom wouldn’t love a one-of-a-kind gift designed and created only for her to enjoy?

*About Homemade Fabric Dyes:

To make juice (or plant dyes) you need to take about 1/4 – 1/2 cup of a nature item, put it in a pot with about four cups of water, simmer on low for 1-2 hours, strain, and cool. When you add the coloring to something like homemade paint or clay, add a little at a time until you get the shade you want, much like you would food coloring. If you want to dye fabric, soak it overnight in the coloring. The vibrancy of the color depends both on the nature item used, and the amount you simmered.

Nature items to use:

For blue dye use: Red cabbage, blueberries, logwood chips, elderberries. or red onion skins

For yellow dye use: apple tree bark, marigold, turmeric, white onion skin, or goldenrod

For violet to purple dye use: Camellia or purple grapes

For pink dye use: Umbilicara (a type of lichen called Rock Tripe, which is actually edible and used in many Asian cuisines – it’s called “rock ear” in Chinese cuisine, and “rock mushroom” in Japanese cuisine. If you can’t find any of this outdo0rs, you might have luck in an Asian grocery.)

For brown and tan dye use: Coffee, walnut hulls, paprika, tea, greenbriar, or sassafras

For red dye use: cranberries or beets

For orange dye use: Yellow onion skin or oats

For green dye use: oak bark, peach leaves, or crab apple leaves and bark

*** DON’T FORGET TO SEND US A PHOTO OF YOUR CRAFT PROJECT

MADE WITH  ORGANIC COTTON PLUS  FABRIC!  ***

My daughter "Bloody Kate" (right) and BFF Rachelle Hayes at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire, 2011

I’m going to guess that you’re wondering what I mean by “reenactor.”

What exactly is a “reenactor”, you ask – and how does this fit in with selling organic cotton fabric?

Well, let’s take that “reenactor” question first.

Historical reenactors – or Living Historians, as some prefer to be called – are children and adults who have a serious love of certain historical time periods and who enjoy dressing in period clothing (called “garb”) to work or participate in historical cemetery or historical house tours, battle reenactments, and historically-themed fairs and events such as Renaissance Faires or Pirate Festivals.

Many of these Living Historians spend a lot of their free time doing historical research and genealogy to build “characters” that they portray while participating in these events. In the case of an historical cemetery tour, for example, a Living Historian “becomes” a particular person who is buried in that cemetery and interacts with the public  using facts from the deceased person’s life and dressed in the fashion of the day. Pirate Reenactors – a jolly sort! – like to invent characters and imbue them with ethnic accents and behaviors while wearing colorful styles of clothing with Oriental and Caribbean influences while brandishing multiple guns, swords and daggers; cat-o-nine-tail whips, chains and manacles; lots of flashy jewelry; bandannas, and sashes.

By the sea

My personal favorite historical time periods are the years covering the Age of Piracy and the American Revolution. These decades encompass the years between the late 1600s to the late 1700s (and makes it much easier to find appropriate garb and props as a lot of different clothing styles can be switched in and out of these periods in history.)

One event that I help coordinate and participate in is called “Norwalk Patriot Days” and takes place every five years on the anniversary date of the Battle of Norwalk, CT. This battle originally took place during July 1779 when the British forces commanded by Gen. William Tryon landed on Norwalk’s beaches and moved inland through the town, fighting with local militia and Continental troops as they burned the business district to the ground. We believe today that it was the largest battle to take place in New England.

Here are two photos from our 2004 and 2009 events.

Militia Reenactors

Street Battle, Norwalk Patriot Days 2004

Another event that I participate in is the Pirate Encampment at the Norwalk Seaport Oyster Festival which takes place every September. For the past few years we’ve been running a very popular encampment, to the delight of children of all ages. There are Pirates participating who have come from all over New England. The festival sponsors a costume contest, and children who dress in pirate garb get into the festival for free. We shoot off black-powder guns and mortars; there’s a show with the Bawdy Buccaneers (a husband-and-wife pirate musical act) and Captain Jack Sparrow always makes appearances throughout the weekend to delight his fans.

Black Powder Firing Demonstration, Norwalk Seaport Oyster Festival 2011

Now for the question about how this all fits in with organic fabric. 

We need to begin with a little history.

Organic cotton clothing became a staple in Colonial America prior to and during the Revolutionary War. Men’s shirts and pants, women’s and girls’ dresses, the clothing of merchants, seamen, and slaves all had one thing in common by the 1740s: much of it was made from organic cotton, grown in either the southern colonies or in the Caribbean.

We know from historical record that cotton fabric began to be sold for clothing in the Colonies when ships arrived from Jamaica and the Bahamas in the 1730s and 40s. But cotton itself was believed to have been planted in Florida in 1556 and in Virginia in 1607, and by 1616, colonists were growing cotton along the James River in Virginia. By the 1730s England had begun to spin the first cotton cloth in their mills, and very soon after began exporting the cloth to the Colonies, where it became a clothing and home furnishings staple.

So – what does this mean for organic cotton and the reenactor?

For a Living Historian to dress accurately they require a good working knowledge of the styles and fabrics that were popular during their chosen time periods.  (You’d be surprised by how fussy many Living Historians are about doing everything exactly “to period”! There are some Living Historian Civil War reenactors, for example, who are so hardcore that they sleep outside in all weathers and literally go without eating for days to get that proper “starved” Confederate soldier look!)  It simply will not do to have someone show up to participate in an event wearing a cheap rayon knock-off Pirate costume that they bought at the Halloween costume store. Additionally, being period-correct requires  those who portray British or Continental soldiers to have exactly the proper buttons on their vests and correct type of lace on their shirts. In some soldier units they don’t allow participation if the uniforms are not exactly period-correct. No modern jewelry, eyeglasses, or time pieces are allowed, and definitely no modern furniture, tableware, or appliances hiding in those cotton canvas tents!

Delancey's Brigade, a British reenacting unit at Norwalk Patriot Days 2009

Much of the clothing worn for Living History reenacting comes from organic fibers. Soldier uniform jackets are almost always made of wool fabric while shirts, pants, and hose are often fine linen.  Militia reenactors (those “Minutemen” you remember from history class) might wear hunting shirts or capotes made from deer or elk skins or linsey-woolsey, a combination of linen and wool, but their pants and stockings might often be made from heavy cotton  and cotton yarn. Sailors (and many pirates) typically wear “slops” – wide cotton canvas pants made from heavy canvas sail material, which the sailors sew for themselves while aboard ship. And along with imported silks, brocades and linens, women in the 1690s thru 1790s also indulged in floral-printed and solid colored cotton fabrics, and, particularly in the warmer southern areas, fine cotton muslins. So there are many options for cotton to fit into a Living Historian’s reenacting lifestyle, in very many ways just as it did in the 17th and 18th Centuries as cotton fabric gained popularity around the world.

What about Living Historians who are women?

We lady reenactors have it a LOT easier. The time periods that I typically like to work in favor such clothing as skirts, bodices, corsets and vests; aprons and caps; chemises, and “bloomers” – a type of blousy short pants that come to a gather at the top of high pirate-style boots, typically worn with short-fronted skirts or by themselves with a vest, shirt, and jacket. Many women Pirates wear knee-breeches or slops just like the men (in fact, many women Pirates wear other items of men’s clothing including  men’s shirts, vests, and coats. There are no fashion “rules” when it comes to being Piratical!) Aprons, caps, and chemises are almost always made from cotton. There’s a lot of leeway for women when choosing their clothing for a particular event, but this leeway also entails a lot of research and preparation as most women don’t like to be seen in the same garb over and over again. If the woman is participating in many events in a year, this can mean obtaining several different tops and bottoms and pieces in-between so they can switch items around and create “new” outfits without a lot of financial outlay.

Carol Tarantino at Norwalk Patriot Days 2009

Many reenactors who have the time and the ability make their own clothing. Today there are many historical patterns to be found online and in pattern books at the local fabric store (and many which can be redesigned and modified if necessary) to be worn for reenactments. If sewing is not your forte’, then there are also many websites that offer good historically-accurate clothing and props for the discerning reenactor. Some even offer the correct period fabric too! One great site for clothing and props ranging from the 1740s (French & Indian War) through the War of 1812 is the Jas. Townsend & Co. site ((http://www.jas-townsend.com). Another excellent site ranging from the early Renaissance period right through the Revolutioanry War – especially for weaponry, and is favored by many Pirate reenactors – is  Silvermane (http://www.silvermane.com). And if you look through the offerings from both companies, you will see many clothing items made from cotton.

Tansy the Pansy Pirate Queen, 100% Handmade

It’s easy to see how organic cotton plays an important roll in the life of a historical reenactor! From clothing to tents to home furnishings, from bandages and uniforms to chemises, from sails to duffels to carry-alls, from blouses and pirate shirts to knee-breeches and skirts, organic cotton has a front-row seat with those of us in the reenacting community. Plus organic cotton is cool and comfortable to wear for extended periods in the hot sun. There’s nothing that can be worse than having to march in a heavy woolen uniform coat, and I’ve seen many a hearty soldier collapse with heat stroke in the middle of a summer day.

And shhhh – here’s a little-known secret fact: We Living Historians LOVE it when the viewing public shows up in garb too! We appreciate the effort and will acknowledge the desire to join in – and it makes it even more fun for us to treat you like “one of the group.” Next time you decide to attend a Renaissance Faire or historical reenactment, do a little planning beforehand and make or buy yourself some appropriate clothing for the event – you’ll fit right in and have even more fun.

And who knows – maybe I’ll see you at my next event!

I’ll be easy to spot — I’ll be the Living Historian dressed in organic cotton!

Earth Day is now in its 42nd year and observed in 175 countries.

Here in the U.S.A. there will be a Concert on the Mall in Washington, D.C. from noon to 7:00 p.m. for the Earth Day Network’s Mobilize the Earth rally. In addition to featuring appearances from Cheap Trick, Dave Mason, Kicking Daisies and The Explorers Club, this event will gather pledges for the Billion Acts of Green campaign.

“A Billion Acts of Green” encourages individuals and companies to pledge to take the greener route in their daily lives. Acts can range from using less electricity, buying more local food, taking shorter showers, planting trees or caring for plants, using energy-efficient light bulbs, biking to work, organizing Earth Day events and much more.

All across America, schools, businesses, individuals and communities will participate in activities created to bring more awareness of our environment and to demonstrate ways that we can better care for and protect it.

Here at Organic Cotton Plus it is our mission to continually offer organic cotton fabrics that are grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides, and that come from plants that are not genetically modified in any way. Our fabrics are grown using crop rotation instead of chemical fertilizers, and biological pest control instead of toxic chemicals. Furthermore, we follow the stringent guidelines of Global Organic Textile Standards in order to be certified 100% organic by GOTS and the Texas Department of Agriculture.

What will YOU be doing to celebrate Earth Day 2012?

You could attend a special event, or coordinate one. Your family can plant a tree or flowers or volunteer for the day in a sustainable nursery or farm. You can purchase only locally-grown food, or plant a backyard garden to grow your own. Maybe you’ll be cleaning up a local stream or park with your kids, or spending the day hiking together in the woods or visiting a Nature Center.

Whatever you and your family do to celebrate Earth Day, we would love to hear about it! Please write in and share your concerns, events, and photographs with us!

On behalf of all of us here at Organic Cotton Plus, we’d like to thank each and every one of you for doing your part to help the environment.

And we ask that you all try to make one environmentally conscious change to your lifestyle in the coming year –  whether it be changing to eco-friendly light bulbs, buying locally-grown organic vegetables, or using toxic-free cleaning products in your home.

If we all make one simple little change, together we can have a global impact and help protect our planet!

Have a great Earth Day 2012!

Use coupon code Harmony at checkout, if you have selected any product from the Harmony Art section for purchase.

Shop Harmony Art fabrics now!

Among the emerging bridal trends for Spring 2012 are more socially responsible and understated wedding planning which includes green table settings, flowers and centerpieces, and vintage themes. A look around the Web indicates that there’s a lot more “thinking outside the Church” going on as local areas and unique and creative locations including botanical gardens, offshore islands, museums, and parks are being chosen as alternatives to the more staid and traditional indoor church weddings. DIY weddings are becoming more the norm too, as more brides are stepping up to add their personal touch to the events of their special day.

My Wedding Reception Ideas blog by Allison Scott is reporting that “according to Pantone’s recent color forecast, bright and bold colors are making a swift comeback, with Tangerine being predicted as being one of the hot wedding colors for 2012. For a bold statement consider mixing this color with a bright girly pink. Other great color pair-ups are modern gray or taupe, yellow, or sodalite blue.”

Bridal wear is reflecting the focus on sustainable and eco-friendly too, with many more designers opting to use 100% organic cotton fabrics in their bridal designs. One such designer is The Cotton Bride Collection by Chris Kole, who uses organic cotton to create a series of luscious one-of-a-kind bridal gowns. Etsy offers the “Ella” Empire-waisted design in 100% organic cotton sateen by AnnabelandRuby. And Threadhead Creations offers ethereal designs of silk chiffon over organic cotton.

Here at Organic Cotton Plus, we’re jumping on the Spring bridal bandwagon too! We offer several fabrics which are wonderful for creating the magnificent dress an eco-conscious woman has always dreamed about.

Our 230-count Natural Sateen with its smooth finish and dull sheen is perfect for full-skirted ballgown-style wedding dresses, while our Natural Interlock, decadently soft and with a fluid drape, lends itself dramatically to slim figure-hugging styles and dresses with a “mermaid” hemline.

OCP has both White and Natural organic cotton Voile, an excellent fabric for creating overskirts and sleeves, and with the addition of beading, pearls, sequins and over-embroidery, is a gorgeous fabric when used as veiling for a concoction that will become a treasured heirloom to be handed down from mother to daughter.

Color is happening here at OCP as well! Our Sateen is available in the colors of Pink, Black, White, Navy and Light Blue, while the Interlock can be purchased in Lavender.

Over on our Harmony Art page are many gorgeously printed Sateens including the brand-new Graceland black-and-white poppy print; bright yellows and pinks of Fields of Honey; and Whispering Grass, available printed in both Aqua and B&W. Harmony Art also offers Sateens in electric Light Blue and Lime Green, while the same shade of Lime Green is offered in Interlock as well as an exciting Apricot shade. These prints and solid colors will make thoughtfully sustainable Bridesmaids’ and Flower Girl’s dresses and men’s matching cummerbunds and bow ties to complement any style of wedding gown.

Organic Cotton Plus offers custom eco-friendly dyeing options for the discerning environmentally conscious bride. If you have a special color in mind, send us a swatch and we’ll do our best to match it for you. Remember that it usually takes 6 to 8 weeks for fabric to be dyed – so be sure to get your ideas to us with plenty of time to spare for us to have your fabric ready well in advance of your day of choice.

Exciting things are happening everywhere in the world of Weddings, and with the help of the many beautiful 100% organic cotton fabrics at Organic Cotton Plus, your Wedding Day can be one that is remembered with joy for years to come!

This is a wonderful fabric for making warm snuggly infant sleepers. It’s great for hoodies and athletic wear too. And it can be used for all sorts of craft projects.

The Fleece will be found in the Natural Knits section of the website.

Customers can go directly to the Natural Wovens page and purchase this fabric at the already-discounted sale price, no coupon code necessary.

Shop Natural Denim now.

We are now happy to announce that, for all of you who were looking forward to this option, PayPal is set up and ready to go!

The fabric is called “Graceland” and is a striking black-and-white poppy floral print on 108″ wide Organic Cotton Muslin. To celebrate this new addition we are offering a One-Day Special Price sale.

Unlimited quantity purchases of the new “Graceland” fabric will be 20% off the regular price for one day only, today – Friday, February 17th.

Just use the coupon code Graceland at checkout  to receive your discount!

This fabric is excellent for use in bedding products and mattresses as it blocks dust mites, pet dander and other allergens.

Visit the Natural Wovens page to order.