New Wave Textiles

In the spirit of articulating intentions and goals, how do we here at New Wave see our work in creating a new textile system?

We imagine a new textile system that is environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, creative and non-conformist. We imagine locally produced and processed fibres grown sustainably; safe to recycle or compost or wear forever! We imagine workers paid fairly and working safely! We imagine people of all genders, ages and body types wearing what they love and feeling good. We imagine buying less; making our own and repairing what we have.

Specifically for us, this means raising fibre producing animals with kindness and with attention to maintaining healthy pastures through rotational grazing. We limit the number of animals on a given piece of land so that the grass has time to renew itself. We have our fibres processed at a series of Canadian fibre mills and we minimize shipping by clustering loads with other fibre farmers. We use acid dyes set with citric acid. The process uses minimal water and we reuse citric acid baths as much as possible. Our yarns hang to dry over a woodstove.

We are honoured to collaborate with you in your choice to buy local wool and make your own clothing and other textiles.

If you want to know more about the sustainability textiles, please read Rebecca Burgess’ book, ‘Fibershed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists, and Makers for a New Textile Economy’. The book is available from your local independent book store and from Amazon.

Want to know more about our farms or our yarn and fibre production process? Drop us a line! And please tag #newwavefibre on your creations on social media.

With love and humility, we can make a difference.