(Here we go, blog post #2! Today, we’re covering how I choose which fabrics to use when sewing 4th + Fir’s scrunchies, and delving into my driving anxieties. I promise, they’re vaguely related.)

It's not difficult to get your hands on a scrunchie. They come in:

• Various shapes, sizes, and fabrics.

• A wide range of price points.

• Different offerings from various companies.

While you can buy a pack of 65 for $20 on Amazon (and if that’s your preference, it's absolutely fine!), investing in a handmade 4th + Fir scrunchie ensures three things:

1. Fabric measurements and elastic length/strength that results in a scrunchie wrapping perfectly around thicker hair twice and thinner hair thrice. This serves as 4th + Fir's ponytail baseline—results may vary based on hair volume and density.

2. The use of carefully chosen materials.

3. Fair and precise labor (handled by my own surprisingly small hands!). I'll delve into this in more detail in a future post.

Materials Matter: Selection and Significance

I source my fabrics from two streams: Canadian-owned fabric stores for bolts of fabric, and local thrift stores for clothing that can be upcycled into scrunchies. Living in Vancouver is fantastic because there are so many excellent shops to choose from.

Thrifting for fabrics is truly exhilarating—you never know what you'll find on the racks that day. Discovering high-quality silks is one of my favorite moments. Rest assured that all thrifted fabrics are washed twice with hot water for sanitation.

One challenge with using clothing is that often, only a few scrunchies can be made from it. But it's certainly better than contributing to landfills! When it comes to fabric selection, OEKO-TEX is our gold standard. Whenever possible, I opt for fabrics that adhere to this standard.

Selecting Specific Textiles: A Journey of Senses

My process of choosing specific textiles is a sensory wonderland. You'll find me in the fabric store touching everything my eye is drawn to. If a fabric doesn't feel right to the touch, it won't make its way to my studio. I've learned from past mistakes, such as working with a fabric that wasn't suitable for a scrunchie and being so disappointed by the outcome. While these moments were disappointing, they informed my decisions, and now I'm rarely mistaken!

Choosing Textiles for a New Collection: Step by Step

1. Begin by obsessing over color trends and identifying gaps in the current inventory. Seasonal collections set the tone for each line, with occasional wildcards based on whims and customer requests (like velvet in summer—that’s spicy but also perfect!).

2. Allocate a few hours for the journey to the fabric store, including finding parking. I must admit, there have been times when I've had a quick cry or treated myself to an emergency ice cream cone after dealing with stressful traffic or momentarily forgetting where my car was parked.

3. Tune in—a podcast or an excellent playlist are both options, depending on my mood. Scrolling through my Pinterest boards of color palettes and streaming music on Spotify can drain my battery, underscoring why time management is crucial.

4. Make informed choices, considering:

• Variety in feel and weight (GSM).

• Color harmony.

• The emotional response the fabric elicits.

• Customer requests (yes, I genuinely take these into account).

Thrifting: A Different Story

Thrifting presents its own challenges. Focusing on purchasing fabrics for sewing instead of personal clothing can be tough. I adhere to these guidelines:

• Consider the amount of fabric available. Ideally, I search through larger sizes and linens to cater to the range of sizes (Mini/Medium/Large). However, I won't dismiss a great find that can produce 3-4 scrunchies.

• Quality check—look for stains, smells, and imperfections. Can you guess which of these three is the most unsettling to investigate?

• Construction—avoid fabrics with funky seams, excessive hardware, or interruptions.

The honest truth is: I have a substantial bin of clothing sitting in my house, waiting to be transformed. Join me in anticipating the next upcycled collection; I'll definitely need encouragement (and coffee).

Here’s your moment to shine: recommend your favorite thrift shops in the comments! I'm always on the lookout to support local charities that are deserving of contributions.

Yours, with emergency ice cream,

x Nikki