Baby, its cold outside and there's nothing like a warm and comfy throw to take the chill off. It's also prime season for making projects out of fleece, which coincidentally, is a perfect choice for a simple yet cozy throw or blanket. Forget those uber-simple, no-sew throw kits — been there, done that! How about sewing your own?

I was recently on a hike and I was talking with a fellow hiker about keeping yourself warm but dry when out on the trail. They happened to be wearing a cotton tee as a base layer and so they weren’t the most comfortable as we had just finished a rather steep climb. Needless to say, their cotton tee was damp with sweat and of course cooled down as we hit a lighter pace. Not the most comfortable place to be in, especially in winter, that’s for sure.

Cotton and Linen Throws

Strength and Longevity

Linen is known to be the world’s strongest natural fiber. It is so durable it’s even used in paper money to increase strength! It is thicker than cotton and linen fiber has variable lengths, most of which are very long. This contributes to strength, which contributes to longevity. Linen lasts a very long time.

A new sofa or armchair is a big investment—you don’t want to be second-guessing it a few months after it arrives on your doorstep. Choose the wrong material and you’ll find yourself battling snags and stains. Make a mistake on the color or pattern, and the whole room suffers (or you’ll wind up splurging to have the piece reupholstered). As you shop for an upholstery fabric, let your practical needs lead, advise Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, cofounders of the eponymous home-furnishings company. “First, consider how you live and who will use the piece,” says Williams. “This will help guide you on the type of material to choose.” Here, the duo explain how to zero in on a choice you’ll be happy to live with for years.

Sustainability is a broad discipline, giving students and graduates insights into most aspects of the human world from business to technology to environment and the social sciences.

Fabrics that pass heat but not light may keep people comfortable in summer

This week for Part 2 of our Virtual Quilting Bee, we’re going to talk about choosing fabric.

Are you ready to sew your first quilt? Congratulations, that is wonderful news! Nothing beats a warm, cozy, handmade quilt. They are wonderful for the home and make incredibly personal gifts for loved ones. Not only are they treasured goods, they are so much fun to make. Every step of the way can be embraced and enjoyed. That begins with choosing fabric.

With the right fabric, your clothes can help beat the heat.

Most of us are accustomed to the comfort of an air-conditioned or heated shelter, providing temporary relief from an outdoor climate that's often less than desirable. Such heating and cooling actually dominates residential and commercial energy consumption, accounting for a whopping 12.3 percent of total US energy use. As a result, emissions from maintaining our indoor environment affect the global climate outdoors.

Imagine this: it’s a sweltering hot day, the sun is blaring down at you, and beads of sweat have already begun to form on your face, the back of your neck, and your arms. You’re really trying to push yourself but as your body begins to warm up you can feel yourself slowing down.  Our cooling shirts can really bring relief – and then some!