This is a collection of clothing, accessories, and objects I like making. All of this work is handmade and hand dyed by me using all natural dyes. I use all sorts of plants and food waste to make my colors including but not limited to onion skins, indigo, turmeric, black beans, and safflower. I want to be as transparent as possible about the making process- where I get materials, the process, and the history behind the material. Even though we often forget it, clothing is just like food- it comes from the earth and is treated with the same processes as our food. The textile industry is the second biggest industrial pollutant after oil and gas- cotton uses 25% of the world's pesticide use, wastewater from dyeing and other textile processes is hard to effectively recycle and can cause damage to marine life and drinking water, not to mention, the fashion industry unfairly preys on women- targeting them for jobs and then unfairly paying them while keeping them reliant on this system. (A great way to learn more about this is by watching the movie True Cost https://truecostmovie.com/) These are large and abstract concepts but by using natural dyes and doing research into where I get my fabric from, I try to be conscious of these facts while making and consuming. It's hard to find fabric that passes my high standards, but I will try as hard as possible to find quality fabric that is affordable and use reused fabric as much as possible. The natural dye process is fun and ever-changing, I can't tell you how exciting it is for me to unroll a piece of cloth that has just been dyed. No two dye products will come out the same way but that is what makes each piece bought from Lil Bits unique. If you like anything in the shop but it is not in your size, please do not hesitate to reach out, I can make custom anything. Please follow along on Etsy and Instagram!
| ELIZA WAPNER |
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