A reader asked me where she could find organic fabrics. I haven’t bought any fabrics in years because I have so many bolts and pieces stacked up in my sewing “room” (which is really a former closet) that I won’t allow myself to buy any more. That means my info is out of date.

So I asked Kaneohe-based fashion and jewelry designer Sierra Dew, www.sierradew.com where she finds her organic fabrics. Sierra said she sometimes finds organics at Kaimuki Dry Goods. I know other friends who have found bamboo and sometimes organic hemp there as well. I don’t know anyone who has found any at Fabric Mart.

Right: Sierra Dew in an organic T-shirt, left: another Sierra design.

Sierra and I both like to order from Dharma Trading Company, which is based in Berkeley, California. They sell all sorts of organic fabrics to dye … or not. (I’m not cheating – I only buy fabrics from them when I need silks for rust- or indigo-dyeing. I never have enough of them.) Their service is excellent. http://www.dharmatrading.com

Sierra also has good luck with www.harmonyart.com and www.nearsenaturals.com.

Unfortunately, organic fabrics still seem to be priced a bit higher than other fabrics. That has never quite made sense to me. Do any readers know why that should be?

I remember once having a discussion with Josh Feldman, owner of Tori Richard, about sourcing fabrics. He has a pet peeve about bamboo. Although bamboo is a renewable resource, Feldman said it requires more chemicals and energy to turn bamboo into fabric than is required for other fabrics, so he contends that it is not at all eco-friendly. What do you think?

 – Paula Rath