Thursday 3 April 2014

Banana fabric


TEXTS for the oldest students to work with

BANANA FABRIC

Offset Warehouse Exclusive

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Always on trend and looking for exclusive, luxury fabrics to share with their customers,Offset Warehouse is excited to reveal their brand new Banana FabricsTextured Black & White Banana and Thick Basket Weave Banana.
The Banana fibres used in fabric making are primarily a waste product; they come from the leftover stalks of banana plants after they have been harvested for food.
The stalk of a banana plant contains long fibrous strands that are perfect for processing into pliable fibres.  The outer layers contain course fibres, great for weaving into baskets, whilst the inner finer layers are perfect for spinning into luxurious silks.
The separate sheaths in the stalk are first removed by chopping.
Then the strands are extracted by pressing in roller and scraping with blades until the pulp and extra bits of plant tissue have been removed.
The fibres are then boiled, washed, dried and carded, (which is a bit like combing) to separate and make them straight and ready for spinning on the charkha into beautiful yarn for weaving.
From extracting the banana fibres, to spinning the yarn, to weaving, these banana fabrics are entirely handmade. They are incredibly soft, durable, luxurious and ideal for both soft furnishings and fashion.
 They can be bought by the metre directly from the online shop, www.offsetwarehouse.com, with samples available for you to test first, and are on sale for an amazing price. Offset Warehouse deliver world wide and offer a range of shipping options from Royal Mail 2nd Class to Courier.
Hand-woven using thick banana yarns that have been dyed before weaving (commonly referred to as yarn-dyed) this thick, warm fabric has been created using two different coloured yarns for the warp and weft, giving it a wonderful depth and mottled texture.  It is matte, thick and sturdy, with an amazing drape.
In its beautiful, natural, cream colour, this is a completely unique fabric.  Thick banana yarns are hand woven in a loose basket weave construction.  The twisted yarn gives it a subtle sheen, and it virtually glows! This thick, matte fabric is one of the most exciting fabrics we have seen in a while.
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Banana is a fantastic, natural textile for both fashion and interiors. As well as being warm, thick, matte and durable, it is biodegradable and has high moisture absorption properties, which mean it is a great summer fabric.
Whilst Banana fibres are quite similar to bamboo, the fibres are slightly courser and naturally uneven. This makes them much more durable and easier to spin.The natural texture and feel is unique to the banana tree and therefore make a truly unique product.
Banana fabric is great alternative to some of the other more polluting and high intensity processed fabrics. Banana plants often do not require pesticides or fertilizers when grown in the tropics. Being a waste product of the food industry, these stalks that were once often just thrown away are being used as a new valuable resource with very little extra cultivated acreage being required. They are also often cultivated by small farmers who own their land.
The fabrics are the perfect texture and quality to create tailored jackets, skirts and trousers, and are perfectly suitable for soft furnishings such as cushions and throws. The hand-woven nature, make our banana fabrics exclusive and beautiful as well as upholding Offset Warehouse’s ethical values. 
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Both Banana Fabrics are hand-woven by a registered Nepalese NGO. Amongst other benefits, this means that the workers who create these wonderful textiles are working in safe conditions and being paid fairly. 
The textiles are also almost 100% carbon neutral - virtually unheard of in this day and age. The skills are passed down through generations, keeping traditions alive and a sustainable and steady income for communities. Offset Warehouse is dedicated to providing socially and environmentally responsible textiles, and these banana fabrics are no different.
 For more on our company and fabrics: www.OffsetWarehouse.com
For more information and high res images please email: charlie@offsetwarehouse.com or call: 07737 589 588
 COMPANY/STOCKIST INFORMATION
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