Our Materials + Making

We're not just a scrunchie face.  We craft consciously sourced fabrics into quirky accessories with second-hand machinery. Sustainability + community is woven through all we do. Find out more in this blog 🫶🏾

At H&D, every fabric we use has a story to tell. We don’t just source materials—we embark on fabric journeys, treasure hunts, and deep dives into the world of textiles to find the most breathtaking, meaningful, and rare materials for our creations.

The fabric journey

Our fabrics come from everywhere except the conventional supply chain. Every piece we use is one (or more) of the following:

• Remnant & Deadstock – Surplus from the fashion industry, saved from being discarded.
• Rescued – Fabrics that could’ve ended up in landfill, given a second life in our hands.
• Rehomed & Second-hand – Sourced directly from people in our local community.
• Handpicked from Small & Independent Businesses – Supporting skilled artisans and small family-run fabric suppliers who are experts in their craft.

By working with these materials, we embrace sustainability, creativity, and rarity in every individual piece we make.

 

Always handpicked

Fabric shopping for us isn’t just a supply run—it’s a full sensory experience. We (me, my partner, and sometimes my little sister) hand-select every fabric with intention, choosing only the ones that take our breath away. This means:

• Guaranteed Quality – Every piece is carefully chosen to ensure it feels as good as it looks.
• Quirky & Unique Finds – We look for fabrics that spark joy, tell a story, and bring something special to the wearer.
• A Creative & Tactile Process – The touch, weight, and texture of fabric play a huge role in our design process, and that personal connection translates into every final piece.

 

Small batch. Big benefits

We don’t mass-produce, and we don’t bulk buy. Every fabric haul is a small-batch find, which means:

• Limited Editions & One-of-a-Kind Treasures – Most of our scrunchies, bows, and accessories are made in tiny runs or as one-offs.
• Sustainability & Less Waste – We take only what we need, reducing excess and ensuring nothing goes unused.
• Growth Without Excess – As a teeny tiny business with big dreams (and little money—for now), this allows us to reinvest thoughtfully while staying true to our values.

 

Second-hand sourcing from REAL People

One of our biggest joys is sourcing materials directly from people in our community. We’ve bought the most pre-loved and perfect sewing supplies, fabrics, tools and trims from our neighbours near and far  - a.k.a real people, families and really lovely small business owners.

Placing an extra £10, £30, or £100 or more in the hands of real people and families, in exchange for their unwanted preloved wares makes a real difference. Growing up, I witnessed and experienced first-hand how much of a blessing extra money like this could be. Whether it became our food shop, a school trip Mum would otherwise not afford, or even a little family treat for the day. It feels like a full-circle moment to pay that forward via my little business.

Sourcing second-hand within communities has a positive impact far greater than buying materials from big businesses - just for it to contribute to a percentile of a godforsaken "revenue goal" that NO ONE truly cares about. (*screams in ex-corporate sales escapee PTSD ...lol 🥲🫠 #thetrenches)

So here's a toast to all our anti-capitalist, pro-community endeavours 🥂. May they prosper.

Will consciously crafted scrunchies made from recycled fabrics revolutionise the world? We're just gonna have to wait and see, aren't we? 😊. Right now, however, supporting small businesses and real people absolutely will.

 

Even our machines have stories

We believe in craftsmanship that lasts. Our go-to sewing machines? Second-hand, usually vintage, built-to-last workhorses. (Except for that one modern machine I bought a year ago that has been the bane of my existence—but that’s a rant for another blog.)

Why do we swear by vintage machines?

• Longevity – These beauties outlive generations, reducing waste and eliminating a plastic-heavy throwaway culture.
• Precision & Craftsmanship – Mechanical ingenuity that modern machines often can’t match.
• Sustainability at Its Finest – No unnecessary landfill-bound tech, just well-made, durable engineering.
• We're suckers for sentimental stories - There is a soft spot in my heart for the complimentary tales told to us each time we collect our lovely vintage trinkets from their previous homes. Tales of love, loss, and the longing husbands awaiting trouser alterations whilst their crafty wives sew 30+ years' worth of cute crafts instead. Inspirational 😊

(Fun fact: The modern vacuum cleaner was inspired by the engineering of 1800s sewing machines. Can my plastic modern sewing machine do the same? Can a fish climb a tree?)

Fabric Shops with Soul

Many of our fabrics come from small, family-run businesses, where fabric is more than just material—it’s heritage. These businesses are built on generations of knowledge, skill, and passion. Their love for textiles is woven into every roll of fabric they sell, and that magic is exactly what we want H&D to feel like.

Our Promise

Every stitch tells a story, every fabric carries a past, and every creation is made with heart. We’re not just making scrunchies, bows, and accessories—we’re weaving together sustainability, creativity, and community into everything we do 🩷