Versatile Textile: Loop By the Yard, MoireDot Pattern

Since we moved, I’ve been spending a lot more time outdoors. It could be because the weather is nicer, but its also because I just enjoy the smell of cut grass, moist dirt and wind blowing through the hedges. Spending all this time outside has made me realize just how sparse our outdoor decor is. It’s sad, really,  considering how much I love decorating. I keep thinking if I could just add some pillows to our boring wicker love seat, it would make a huge difference. Finding outdoor pillows that are also eco-friendly has proven nearly impossible, so I decided to make my own. Eco-friendly outdoor fabric isn’t much easier to come by, but Mio’s great graphic Loop textile is a great option.

Their Loop By the Yard in the MoireDot pattern technically isn’t a fabric, but it can be cut, sewn, wrinkled, folded, pierced, hung or hemmed, just like you would with other textiles. It is made from Tyvek, which you may recognize as the same material used to make the flexible postal envelopes that are almost impossible to tear by hand. For years, it has been collected and recycled, and Mio ships Loop with a prepaid recycling envelope so you can send back the scraps for recycling.

Loop is waterproof, so I’m thinking the bold dot pattern would make some great outdoor pillows, not to mention indoor projects like placemats. I’m more than a little tired of stripes and florals for outdoor decor, so this would be a great departure from the norm. At $13 a yard, it is just within reach of my budget, and I’ll probably use existing pillows for the fill. Mio offers lots of ideas and patterns for items you can make with Loop, including a tent, bookcover, poncho and kite.

Why It’s Green:

• Recycled material
• Recyclable. The seller, Mio, ships Loop with an envelope for customers to return scraps for recycling.
• Closed-loop manufacturing

Price: $13/yard