Our Fabric

Our sustainable fabric collections are made from either hemp, organic cotton and linen. The fabric we use is just as important as the design. Ali Davies approach is for the design to be the right application for the cloth. Our Patterns of New Zealand tea towels are custom made on 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton. This is the highest standard in the industry. Here's some more detail on my two main fibres of choice. 

Hemp 

We have been enjoying our fabric for 20 years now and it truly lasts the test of time. Made up of 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton, it feels like old fashioned linen. Being a weight slightly heavier than most table cloths means it does not slide around the table in the same way. It is a long lasting fabric and washes well. It is extremely forgiving with food stains and everyday use. The more you know about your fabric the more you will enjoy sharing it with others.

Hemp, like linen is a glorious product. It’s cultivation for fibre dates back as far as 2800BC to Central Asia, however there are sources of earlier use dating back as far as 8000BC. Suffice to say it's and ancient cloth with benefits we are still discovering today. One of the reasons I love textiles is that the history of textiles tells us a lot about ourselves. Alongside the development of man, is cloth. 

We have been adorning ourselves with cloth forever, and will continue to do so. This being the case I believe we should do it properly and stick to the basics, by using fibres that have the least harm on society and environment, with strong efficacy on function, pleasure and benefit.

When it comes to these three elements, hemp is a shining star. A sustainable and easily renewable source of food, clothing, industrial textiles, and shelter.

Over the years I have been using hemp fabric I have made some observations of my own. It lasts longer than most natural fibres. Hemp is naturally resistant to ultraviolet light as well as mould and mildew, heat and insects.

Production of hemp requires no herbicides or pesticides – it has no enemies! Other qualities I have noticed is its strength and durability, it does not fade or discolour at the same rate of other fabrics. It’s absorbency is second to none and it is very hard to stain it. This makes hemp one of the best materials for table cloths. I hardly ever  discard old hemp textiles because they just keep on going, however if you do, they just nicely return back to the earth leaving no harm at all. 

Benefits aside, it was probably a terrible choice of fabric for a business! The need for replacement is not often, and so many businesses rely on the need for ‘more’. I intend to write more about the concept of ‘slow’ business but for now I’ll just highlight a few more great things about hemp.

• Unlike other plants hemp does not require huge amounts of water, it is able to nurture itself with deep soil moisture.
• It truly is one of the earliest fibres known to man.
• Hemp is a fast growing, highly renewable resource.
• Hemp produces textiles that are strong, lustrous and mildew resistant.
• Hemp is known to block the sun’s UV rays so is excellent for clothing.
• It will soften with use and withstands the meanest washing cycle.
• Hemp is mostly stain resistant and holds its shape.
• Hemp fabric is moisture wicking and dries quickly.

Organic Cotton

As mentioned earlier our signature range of table linens are made with a hemp and organic cotton mix, giving the best of both in the world of sustainable fibre. The benefits of long lasting durable hemp with the softness of cotton. We are all familiar with cotton and increasingly organic cotton as it becomes more widely distributed. More good things to note about organic cotton.

• Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemicals and synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or defoliants.
• Growing cotton organically produces a soil environment that is more healthy and diverse.
• Organic cotton farming allows farmers to grow a range of crops alongside the cotton, including food.
• Organic cotton produces a more resilient plant which reduces the high water intake.
• Organic farming is better for the health of the farming communities.

Fabric Care

If you have a top loader washing machine we would recommend a gentle cycle. Front loaders are generally more gentle anyway so a 'linen' or 'bedding' cycle is good.

After washing your fabric it is best if you can hang it shortly after the wash cycle has finished. Give it a shake to get out as many creases as you can and hang it evenly on the clothes line. A quick hot iron (reverse side if you have a 'white' print) and it's ready to use again or store for next time. In some cases an iron is not necessary but recommended for the best look on the table. For best results iron the table cloth while it is still a little damp.

Special Instructions for Kowhai Lace – white table cloth. Because of the white print you must iron the fabric on the reverse side, ie – do not iron directly on the print.

Care Instructions

Dry Cleaning Ok - Wet wash temperature 40deg - Do not bleach - It is not recommended to tumble dry (but we have!) expect some shrinkage if you do tumble dry.

We do not recommend bleach on table linens. One or two customers have told us they used a fabric detergent with a combined 'whitener' with success, but if you do use such a product you do so at your own risk. You can wash out stains really well just by a soak or you can use our wonderful gentle stain remover soap. This will last for years and you just rub it on the stain and wash as normal. Wet the fabric or soap first.

We love our fabric and guarantee our product so please contact us for any reason if you are not satisfied. Please contact us if you are satisfied as well!