Ideal Bite

Hand It Over

In college, three of my best friends were Textiles majors. I never envied their days spent embroiled in math and chemistry exercises, but I did envy their ability to glean fabric info by touch. One of them literally felt her way through clothing shops, stopping to take a look only when some snip of luscious velvet or swath of superior cotton brushed her palm.

So a lot of modal blends are very soft to the touch, and while most affordable clothing wears like cotton knits – not so flattering on me – I can’t help but get excited about these new fabrics. In particular, I’m loving a lot of handbags made from weaves of recycled paper and plastics. I’m also really excited about seacell, a fiber that incorporates seaweed and that wicks moisture while supposedly infusing nutrients into your skin. Here’s hoping that sleeping in something as cute as these will eventually mean not having to swallow those horse-pill-size multivitamins in the morning.

-Jenifer Morgan…off to feel something up…

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In the past few years, I've bought both modal sheets and bamboo sheets, and have been impressed with how soft they are, but I worry about the environmental impact of the processing... I know with the manufacture of rayon, cellulose fibers have to be broken down with some fairly toxic chemicals (hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide) and give off sulfuric acid during the processing. Since bamboo and modal are also plant fibers, do they have to go through a similar process to break down the plant to a spin-able fiber? Do I need to feel environmental guilt about my modal sheets? I've been unable to find an answer to this question.

Posted by: Elizabeth Scott | July 01, 2008 at 07:51 AM

Thank you SO much for FINALLY including at least one affordable item in your suggestions. Now, if you would only pick an affordable item that comes in more than 1 color and 1 size (i.e. isn't practically sold out by the time you go to "print") that would be awesome. :)

Posted by: ann | July 01, 2008 at 11:26 AM

For Canadian Biters - La Senza sells modal panties and thongs - super comfy and don't over stretch like cotton can. I love them so much, I bought one in every colour and have barely woren any other kind since!

Posted by: Jen | July 01, 2008 at 05:04 PM

Is there any evidence that the cotton used to make modal is any more likely to be organically and sustainably produced that other cotton? My understanding is that cotton wreaks havoc on the environment, due to the huge amount of chemical inputs required to grow it and keep it bug-free.

Posted by: Mary C | July 01, 2008 at 08:19 PM

Whoops! Read the Bite too fast - ignore that question!

Posted by: Mary C | July 01, 2008 at 08:20 PM

I bought beech sheets several years ago and they are still as soft as the day i bought them. And where I had to get rid of several sets of t shirt sheets these show no signs of giving up.

Posted by: lori | July 02, 2008 at 12:27 AM

Elizabeth, While modal isn't the most eco-friendly fabric it still is a better option than rayon or polyester.

Posted by: cbohn@idealbite.com | July 02, 2008 at 04:51 PM

Anyone know where you can purchase modal or bamboo fabric to make your own garments? Of course, the most environmentally friendly way of clothing yourself is to go to a thrift store and re-use clothing... but sometimes that just won't do.

Posted by: Casey W | July 03, 2008 at 11:11 AM

Envirofabrics.net sells great bamboo and modal fabrics. You have to buy at least 300 yards of their knitted yardage. I am using only woven's for now.

Posted by: Zoica | July 12, 2008 at 05:35 PM

very interesting... enyce clothing company

Posted by: ches | August 15, 2008 at 03:27 AM

@Zoica - Thanks for the tip... but 300 yards is a LOT!!! I'm only making clothing for myself and my mom and sister. I suppose I could sell yards on ebay or something...

Posted by: Casey | August 15, 2008 at 09:33 AM

Yes indeed, Casey, 300 yards is a lot! I don't know about smaller yardage. That was my biggest issue at the beginning….

Posted by: Zoica | August 15, 2008 at 11:08 AM