Blackbirds & Buttercups Organic Cotton Tea Towel

My tea towels are woven and printed using Soil Association-certified organic cotton at a locally owned textile manufacturer in Cornwall.

The cotton used in the tea towels is sourced from India. Organic cotton means that the cotton farmers are not exposed to the harmful, fossil-fuel based pesticides often associated with cotton farming in India. What’s more, they are not reliant on buying genetically modified seeds every year from huge ethically-questionable agri-businesses like Monsanto. Pesticide use and reliance on GM seeds are known to be a huge problem for Indian cotton farmers, so we hope that by using organic cotton we can contribute to an alternative.

Using cotton from India does mean that it is shipped over long distances, which is not ideal. However, it is unfortunately difficult to find organic cotton closer to home. Hopefully that will change in the future - if you know of an organic cotton producer located in Europe, feel free to let us know!

Most of the dyes used are vegetable based and screen-printed by hand, but the colours in some of my more vibrant designs cannot be achieved using these dyes. Instead, my work is digitally printed. While the dye is water based, it is not organic, and neither is the coating that is used to allow the dye to bond to the cotton. I have spoken with the company, and they are hoping that the technology to print digitally with organic inks will be available soon which will make their processes fully organic.

Delivery

UK standard delivery is FREE for all items, except books. Orders will be dispatched in 1-2 days and sent with First Class Royal Mail.

Tracked delivery is also available, orders will be dispatched within 1 working day with Royal Mail Special Delivery (next day).

Delivery to Europe costs between £1.50 - £6.50 and should usually arrive within a week, but could take longer. Please contact me if you'd like to use a tracked service.

Delivery to the rest of the world costs between £2.50 - £7.50 and should usually arrive within 1-2 weeks, but could take longer. Please contact me if you'd like to use a tracked service.

Returns

You have 28 days from dispatch to return your order for a full refund. You must ensure products ar returned in their original, saleable condition and the cost of return postage will not be refunded.

We always aim to offer the best possible customer experience. If you have a problem with your order, please contact us as soon as possible at shop@kateslaterillustration.com and we'll do our very best to help.