Uses:
apparel, drapery, upholstery
Specifications:
- abrasion test results: 40,000 Martindale
- certification: Oeko-Tex 100
- content: 62% cotton� 38% linen
- weight: 15 oz yd2 / 509 gm m2
- width: 54" / 137 cm
Care:
Orcas loses a bit of its luster after a wash. Shrinkage in cool settings in just 3%; in hot, a little more than 10% the first time you wash it.
About:
Orcas is a chenille. Made of linen from Belgium and cotton from Peru (like Egypt, one of the finest cottons in the world, and a spot with sufficient rainfall to support cotton production), the napped quality of Orcas gives the fabric a softness that belies its strength. So, for snuggling into at story time, it's a winner. And you can be comforted by the fact that there is nothing used in processing this fabric that is known to harm humans, of any size. The terrain along the shore of Orcas Island is rocky and rugged, as is this fabric. Rated 40,000 Martindale, it qualifies to be used in "high traffic" contract applications, or your family room, where it can withstand whatever comes its way.
Eco Facts:
Our Oeko-Tex 100 certified fabrics are produced with strict water treatment and with worker safety safeguards in place, even though Oeko-Tex 100 does not require those steps. All of our fabrics comply with the GOTS requirements.
| Two Sisters | GOTS fabric | Oeko-Tex Standard | Oeko-Tex minimums | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uses organic fibers only | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Free of any known chemicals that can harm you or the ecosystem | YES | YES | YES | |
| Water used in processing is treated before release | YES | NO | YES | |
| Workers are paid fair wages; working conditions are safe and hygienic | YES | NO | YEAS |
What are GOTS and Oeko-Tex and why should I care?
The Fabric Name:
Orcas is the name of the northernmost island in Washington State's San Juan Islands. It has been called the "emerald island" because of its abundant vegetation and moderate climate. The San Juan's host between 40 and 50 breeding pairs of bald eagles, one of the largest eagle nesting populations in the continental United States. The waters off Orcas are host to Orca and Minke whales, as well as Pacific Harbor seals, Dall's porpoises, more than 200 species of fish and hundreds of marine invertebrates.
Orcas is the name of the northernmost island in Washington State's San Juan Islands. It has been called the "emerald island" because of its abundant vegetation and moderate climate. The San Juan's host between 40 and 50 breeding pairs of bald eagles, one of the largest eagle nesting populations in the continental United States. The waters off Orcas are host to Orca and Minke whales, as well as Pacific Harbor seals, Dall's porpoises, more than 200 species of fish and hundreds of marine invertebrates.
The terrain along the shore of Orcas Island is rocky and rugged, as is this fabric. Rated 40,000 Martindale1, it qualifies to be used in "high traffic" contract applications, or your family room, where it can withstand whatever comes its way.
Made of linen and cotton, the napped quality gives the fabric a softness that belies its strength. So for snuggling into at story time, it's a winner. And you can be comforted by the fact that there is nothing used in processing this fabric that is known to harm humans, of any size.
Oeko Tex is one of the oldest third party certifications, launched in 1992. Its aim is to ensure that products pose no risk to human health.
The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 tests only the end product. Processing is not addressed, for example, wastewater treatment is not included, nor are workers rights addressed. It is NOT an organic certification and products bearing this mark are not necessarily made from organically grown fibers. Oeko Tex is only concerned with the safety of the final product.
The certification process includes thorough testing for a lengthy list of chemicals, including all of the chemicals of concern, among which are lead, antimony, arsenic, phthalates, pesticides, and chlorinated phenols. The official table of limits for tested chemicals may be found on the Oeko-Tex website:
Specifically banned are:
- Formaldehyde
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Chlorinated phenols
- Phthalates
- Flame retardants
- Solvent residues
Textile products bearing the Oeko-Tex 100 certification mark, in addition to being safe use, have a skin friendly pH. Skin's natural pH is a tad acidic, and when it's eroded your defenses are down, leaving you vulnerable to bacteria, moisture loss, and irritation. Oeko-Tex certified fabrics will not create these stresses. And the fabrics will feel lovely against your skin.
The mill where this fabric was woven uses hydro and natural gas fuel power, which has low emissions.
1For a discussion of what the abrasion ratings mean, please click here.
