FAQs

Where are you based?

We are an online only fabric and yarn store (for now). We operate from Christchurch, New Zealand. If you are a local please get in touch to arrange free local pick up!

 

How do you sell your fabric?

Fabric is sold in 0.1 metre units with a minimum order of 0.5 metres.

Your order will be cut in one continuous length.

 

Is shrinkage accounted for in your fabric cutting?

When measuring your fabric orders we do provide a little extra for possible ‘cutting error’. This should be enough to account for fabrics with minimal shrinkage. You can find shrinkage information for every fabric on their product page and we encourage you to consider this when calculating your fabric requirements.

 

Do you provide fabric & yarn samples?

We sure do! Check out our Our Samples page for all the details.

  

Why do you sell soooo many neutrals?

Have a read through Our Collection page.

 

What makes YOUR fabrics and yarn sustainable and ethical?

There is no official definition of ‘sustainable’, ‘ethical’, ‘eco-friendly’ or any of the other numerous terms bandied about in this industry. We are acutely aware of this and whilst we do use these terms we recognise that the more accurate definition of our products is ‘more sustainable and more ethical compared to current alternatives’. It just doesn’t have a great ring to it, does it?

We have done a lot of research into the different fibres available to determine what we believe to be the most environmentally friendly (check out Our Fibres for more on this). We have also worked hard to ensure Our Suppliers share similar business values and can provide clear information regarding how and by who their products are made. Finally, we have tried hard to be transparent about our products so that you don’t have to just 'take our word for it'. You can decide if any given product fits with your own definition of ‘more sustainable and more ethical compared to current alternatives’.

We’ve written a little blog about What Sustainability Means to us.

 

Why don’t your knit fabrics contain any elastane?

Elastane (brand names Spandex or Lycra) is a synthetic material derived from fossil fuels, in other words it's a type of plastic. It doesn't biodegrade or compost, it’s made from a non-renewable source and it’s hard to recycle. But it is super stretchy and we appreciate there are some types of clothing that are currently hard to produce without it (e.g. swimwear, lingerie and active wear). We have decided on balance not to stock any fabrics with elastane at this stage. This doesn’t mean that we won’t in the future however we would be doing a lot of research into the most sustainable way to do this.

Luckily there are lots of great patterns and styles that can be made up in our super comfy knit fabrics that don’t require elastane. All our fabrics contain links to Pinterest pages with pattern ideas.

In fact, it’s interesting to think about what we have come to expect of our fabrics thanks to synthetic fibres and whether this needs re-thinking!? Something we look forward to exploring more in the future.

 

Do you sell animal products?

Some. This is a tricky and controversial one. We believe strongly that no animal should suffer for the sake of providing a consumer product. We are also aware that some animal products, namely wool, can have a lower environmental impact than their man-made or plant-based alternatives when they are produced ethically and used and discarded of appropriately. To this end we do currently sell some wool and we would love to stock more in the future. We just need to do a little more research. Rest assured that any wool we do sell will be carefully selected to ensure the producers uphold the strictest standards of animal welfare and we will communicate what this means.

 

Why don’t you sell deadstock fabric?

Like everything else, it’s complicated. It makes sense to use something that has already been produced and when the deadstock is genuine leftover fabric (ideally made ethically and sustainably) this is great. However, there is another side to deadstock, one in which it is a symptom of a problem rather than a solution.

One of the biggest problems in the fashion industry is that the majority of fabric being produced is not environmentally or ethically sound and it is also being over-produced. Allowing companies to sell this excess as deadstock doesn’t necessarily act as a deterrent to this behaviour and in some cases can lead to greenwashing.

At Paper Scissors Cloth we would prefer to see a reduced demand for unsustainable and unethical fabrics period. For this reason we have chosen to support companies that are producing high-quality fabrics in a more ethical and more sustainable way. In addition, by choosing to work with these companies we can be more confident about where and how our fabric is made and the working conditions of the people who have made it.

This doesn’t mean we are against deadstock, it just isn’t the route we have chosen at this stage.

  

How should I dispose of my fabric scraps and/or garments at the end of their life?

Great question! We have a blog post coming about this. In the meantime...hang on to them if that's available to you. Sort them into piles based on size (if you are so inclined) or just bury them in a corner of the room and try not to glance in their direction.

 

Do I need to pre-wash my fabric?

We’re going to pretend we didn’t read that, but the answer is always YES! It’s normal for fabrics to shift or shrink slightly after the first wash so if you skip this step you may find that your finished garment shrinks or distorts after the first wash. Not good! Each fabric comes with recommended care instructions so please be responsible fabric guardians and follow them correctly.

 

Do I need to knit a swatch?

Again, we’re going to pretend we didn’t read that, but the answer is YES! If you don’t knit a swatch you can’t guarantee that your final garment will have the look, fit or feel of that intended by your chosen pattern; especially if you are using a yarn that is different to what the designer recommends. We know some people like living on the edge but with yarn as beautiful as ours please take the time to swatch. It’s also a good way to ‘get to know your yarn’ before you start your project and yes, you can re-use your swatch yarn.

 

I’m a beginner sewist, what fabrics should I start with?

Great question! Nothing is more disheartening for a new sewist than a failed project. Choosing the right fabric and pattern can be one of the more challenging steps but this should never stop you from rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck into a project. We encourage any new sewists (or anyone in need of support) to reach out to us at hello@paperscissorscloth.co.nz so we can guide you through the process.

But as a general rule you probably want to choose a fabric that is nice and sturdy and won't shift around or stretch too much. Our woven organic cotton/hemp fabrics would be ideal for a beginner as would our organic cotton twill. We aim to provide a lot more sewing tutorials and advice in the future, it will just take some time to get these things going. In the meantime, if in doubt - give us a shout!

  

Do you like cats?

Is water wet? Next question.

 

Question not answered above? Pop us an email at hello@paperscissorscloth.co.nz ...really do. We literally made these questions up ourselves so we could do with some input.