Q:
What are your business hours and how long does it take to get my order?
A:
Our business hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time, Monday through Thursday. We are closed on Friday. We try very hard to ship your order within 3 business days after we receive it. UPS Ground shipments take approximately 5 to 7 business days to most locations. We can ship UPS Next Day, 2-Day or 3-Day Select. We make every effort to get orders with express shipping requests out the same day if we receive them by 1:00 pm. Otherwise, they ship the next business day. Please call our office if you have any questions. 866-784-0374
(toll free) or 806-428-3345. Top
Q:
What is your return policy for fabrics?
A:
Our
return policy is as follows; We request that you check your order as
soon as you receive it. If you have received the wrong fabric or there
is damage, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY. Save all packaging materials
if damage appears to be from shipping. If we made an error, we will
issue a call tag through UPS to pick-up the wrong or damaged fabric.
Unfortunately, call tags can only be issued for packages that were sent
to you via UPS. For return of orders originally sent through USPS (United
States Postal Service) you will need to ship the package to us and call,
fax or email the return shipping amount so that we may credit your account.
We
encourage all of our customers to view a sample before ordering fabric.
If fabric was ordered without viewing a swatch or you cannot use what
you have ordered, we will accept a return and issue credit but you will
need to pay for the shipping costs. When fabric is authorized for return,
credit or refund will not be issued until the fabric is received in
our office. Any alterations of the fabric (washed, cut, dirty, etc.)
will void any credit or refund. A 15% restocking fee based on the cost
of the fabric will be charged. After 15 working days orders CANNOT be
returned. Top
Q:
How do I wash the fabric?
A:
Organic cotton fabrics can be washed and dried the same way that you would treat any cotton fabric. Ideally, we would recommend that you use a vegetable based rather than petroleum based detergent. Look for alternative products at you local grocery or natural products store. Seventh Generation has a great line of laundry products. If necessary, use only non-chlorine bleach. Bright colors should always be washed in cold water.
Some of our fabrics have been finished to control shrinkage. Others are unfinished (greige) and will shrink more. As with any cotton fabric, you will have some shrinkage
when dried at a high temperatures. Pre-washing before you cut and sew
is recommended. Consider drying without heat or line drying your
finished article. This is easier on your fabric and more enviromentally
friendly as well. Top
Q:
What kinds of dyes are used on dyed and printed fabrics?
A:
Low-impact
fiber-reactive dyes. This is a process that uses far less water than
conventional dying and is more environmentally sound because all dye
material is reclaimed and not released as effluent. No heavy metal Mordants,
Azo, Sulfa or Vat Dyes are used. The
dye materials can be synthetic but all of our manufacturers are voluntarily
complying with Organic Trade Association's Fiber Processing Standards and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Please visit: www.ota.com
or www.global-standard.org to view these standards.
What is color grown cotton?
At present, we do not carry any color-grown cotton fabrics but, it's and interesting story. Just
as there are red roses and yellow daffodils, cotton has colors! Colored
cotton has been around from the beginning with documented use in both
the sub-Himalayan regions of Asia and in ancient Indian communities
in Meso America, Peru and Guatemala. The colors of the cotton range
from white to green, as well as many colors of tan and brown, and even
charcoal grey. While the color-grown cottons have always been around,
they remained a novelty, available only in vary small quantities and
used in limited hand spinning and weaving application. Commercial production
and processing remain a challenge predominately due to the advances
in technology and speed of the spinning and weaving machinery, the availability
of inexpensive dyestuffs and the development of higher yielding cotton.
With the limitations of lower yields and shorter, weaker fibers, color-grown
cotton varieties have had to go through an extensive breeding program
to improve their yield, fiber quality, color intensity and color palette.
Fabrics made from color-grown cotton represent the best in mans' efforts
to work in concert with nature to produce beautifully colored fabrics
without the use of dyes. However, color-grown fabrics may contain certain
natural variations in color, light fastness and shrinkage.Top
Q:
What do I need to know about shipping to Canada and other international
addresses?
A:
Unfortunately, our new catalog program will not accept orders outside the US. We will ship internationally with a few restrictions. You are welcome to email: info@organiccottonplus.com, fax us at 1.806.428.3475 or call 1.806.428.3345 to place your order. Please do not email your credit card information - we would prefer to have you fax that information or we can call you. Please remember that email is not secure. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience and will do our best to help you.
Orders
totaling $100 (US) or more to Canada or other international addresses
must be shipped via UPS or another carrier that offers a tracking service
(FedEx, DHL, etc.). Orders under $100 (US) can be shipped via United
States Postal Service (USPS) however we cannot guarantee delivery because
tracking is not available. The postal service does cost less but the
delivery times are uncertain and the claims process can take a very
long time. Please check with your country's customs department for information
on duties and taxes. UPS does charge a brokerage fee. Visit: www.ups.com for contact phone numbers in your region and for more information. You
may want to consider acting as your own broker to clear your shipment. Top
Q:
Explain "sanforizing" and "finishing".
A:
Sanforizing
is a process where by the fabric is run through a sanforizer; a machine
that has drums filled with hot steam. This process is done to control
the shrinkage of the fabric.
After
weaving, fabric must be finished to give the desired feel and appearance.
On some fabrics, washing with water may be the only finishing needed.
Other finishes may require certain enzymes. Please visit: www.ota.com
to view the Organic Trade Association's Fiber Processing Standard.
Fabric that will be dyed is bleached with hydrogen peroxide, and then
washed with water. In some cases the fabric will be mercerized to promote
uniform dyeing and colorfastness. This process involves washing the
fabric in a very dilute solution of caustic soda. The fabric is rinsed
to remove all traces of this compound. Dye is then applied and a final
washing with water completes the finishing process.
Some
of our fabrics are "Greige." This means that the fabric is
unfinished - directly from the loom. These fabrics will have a higher
percentage of shrinkage when washed and the appearance and feel can
change as well. Top
Q:
Explain about GMO'S and your company position.
A:Sorting
Fact from Fiction
What are GMOs/GEOs? The technology of genetic engineering is the practice
of altering or disrupting the genetic blueprints of living organisms
such as plants, fish, animals and microorganisms. The Organic Trade
Association defines the term GMO as “an organism that has been
modified by the insertion of DNA by human intention”. This DNA
can come from a foreign organism, from the same organism or it may be
synthesized in a laboratory. None of these changes are possible under
natural conditions or processes. Supporters of this technology, both
scientists and commercial enterprises, purport that GMOs and GEOs will
create sustainable agriculture, eliminate world hunger, cure disease
and improve public health. It has also been suggested that biotechnology
corporations may be intending to use GE to monopolize the global market
for seeds, foods, fiber and medical products by patenting these “new
blueprints” and then selling the resulting gene-foods, seeds,
etc for their own profit.
Is
genetic engineering dangerous? Currently, there is evidence to suggest
that it is dangerous. In either case, given that this technology is
in its experimental stage, there are few or no regulatory restraints
including no labeling requirements or pre-market safety testing required
in this country. GE products have already come under fire for potential
toxicity and health hazard for humans as well as numerous environmental
concerns.
An
increasing number of scientists are taking an opposing position to GMOS
by speaking out against these gene-splicing techniques saying they are
crude, inexact and unpredictable. For example, the Union of Concerned
Scientists conducted a research study to determine if genetic engineering
might unintentionally contaminate the seed supply for traditional or
non-genetically engineered varieties of crops. The conclusion of the
study confirmed that seeds of traditional varieties of corn, soybeans
and canola are pervasively contaminated with low levels of DNA sequences
derived from transgenic varieties likely resulting from generally porous
seed production and distribution systems. Did they find this significant?
Extremely so and recommended that the USDA take immediate action by
sponsoring a full-scale investigation of the contamination and that
USDA should implement regulations for bioengineered crops, establish
a reservoir of non-engineered varieties of major food and feed crops
free of transgenically derived sequences, make efforts to preserve pure
seeds for use in organic agriculture and increase public disclosure
about commercial seed as well as other mandates.
This unregulated and “not totally understood” technology
presents us with enormous potential environmental hazards and socio-economic
challenges not to mention personal health effects. GE crops have been
shown to increase the levels of natural plant toxins or allergens in
foods in unexpected ways by switching on genes that produce poisons.
Effects have been toxic to both humans and animals. In addition, engineering
plants to become disease resistant has yielded results of some concern.
Researchers have warned that antibiotic resistance marker genes from
genetically engineered plants might unexpectedly recombine with disease-causing
bacteria or microbes in the environment or in the guts of animals or
peoples who eat GE food. These new combinations may contribute to a
public health danger of antibiotic resistant infections that do not
respond to traditional cures. When German researchers found antibiotic
resistant bacteria in the guts of bees feeding on gene-altered canola
plants, EU authorities decided to consider a ban on all GE foods containing
antibiotic resistant marker genes. As more and more research is done,
there is little to support the “dream” of GE technology
to solve the world’s health and food problems. Instead, it is
suggesting a potential GE nightmare of huge global proportions.
Does
buying organic ensure that GM seeds were not used? The National Organic
Standards Board recommends that the use of genetically modified organisms
and their derivatives be prohibited in organic production and handling
systems. The Organic Trade Association supports this position. Just
as “certified organic” is not a “pesticide free”
claim, neither is it a “GMO free” claim. Unfortunately,
it is not the nature of transgenes, the genetic material biologists
insert into engineered organisms, to stay contained. They travel on
the wind, insect’s feet or through simple human error, infiltrate
from mislabeled seed packages to contamination in silos or shipping
containers. The crux of the problem is that there is no fail-safe way
to guarantee their absence. Even if all food and fiber were tested,
some products of GE would escape detention. Genetic engineering has
the potential, if left unchecked, to break down the high standards that
currently exist for organically produced food and other products. The
organic industry continues to wrestle with defining the “allowable
percentage” of GMO contamination. For this reason, the OTA has
rejected adopting a zero-tolerance policy, on the grounds that obtaining
a zero level of GMOs may not be possible in the US due to widespread
contamination.
What
can be done? As a farmer owned company and producers of organic products,
we are gravely concerned about this problem. We highly suggest that
all consumers quickly get educated and politically active. There are
numerous organizations that are against genetic engineering that can
provide this type of support. For up-to-date information, log on to
www.organicconsumers.org or www.ota.com. Organize forums, protests and
news-making events. Pressure elected officials and candidates to implement
an immediate moratorium on GE food and fiber for the purpose of further
research, immediate labeling of GMO products as well as pre-market safety
testing procedures. And finally support organic companies with your
dollars – buy organically grown food and fiber.Top
Q:
What is the minimum fabric order?
A:
We
sell WHOLE yards only. Minimum one yard. At times we do have pieces
smaller than 1 yard. To inquire about less than 1 yard pieces or second quality, please
call our office: 866-784-0374 (toll free) or 806-428-3345. Top
Q:
What fabrics do you recommend for the chemically sensitive?
A:
We do not recommend Dyed Fabrics for our chemically sensitive customers,
and we strongly suggest that you view a swatch before ordering. Returns
CANNOT be accepted for fabrics purchased against this advice. We understand
that it may be difficult to determine reaction to our standard 3"x
4" swatch and we can cut larger swatches. Price for this service
is $2.00 per swatch plus a $2.50 handling fee and postage or shipping
charges. Please call our office if you are interested - 866-784-0374
(toll free) or 806-428-3345. If you require special wrapping for shipment
(foil, no plastics, etc), please let us know at the time of your order.
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