deadstock, natural fabrics

Deadstock fabrics are any materials that are surplus or leftover and could be thrown away or burned. But instead, they are used to make something valuable.

Let's say that a brand makes cotton T-shirts, but produces more rolls of cotton fabric than they need. These rolls can be sold (at a cheaper price) to another brand that will make use of it. Also, it can happen that hemp fabric is accidentally dyed green instead of yellow. When it is then sold to a brand that can use it anyways, it becomes natural deadstock fabric.

Or, a brand can produce a lot of fabric scraps during the production of cotton T-shirts. These leftovers can be used to make, for instance, face masks. These are all the ways fabrics are not wasted, but given a second life.

But deadstock fabrics can be a material of any origin – synthetic or natural. Wait a minute… what do you mean by natural?

If that set your alarm bells ringing, we understand. And honestly, good for you, you critical thinker! The word “natural” is being thrown around a lot. And it's a great friend to a brand that wants to greenwash its customers.

Natural sounds so eco-friendly, healthy, and simply, not bad at all. As if poisonous arsenic isn't natural too.

Here, with natural deadstock fabrics we mean the opposite of synthetic, human-made fabrics (such as polyester or nylon). Natural fabrics that are made from plants – like cotton, hemp or linen.

But materials made from animals – such as wool or silk – are considered 'natural' too. No need to worry though. Under this vegan (digital) roof, you are going to find products made from plant-based materials only.