the cotton project
farmed - spun - milled - sewn
2020 - 2021 - 2023 - 2024
the cotton project tee
farmed regeneratively,
ginned, spun, milled, and
sewn in the USA.
four years ago, we embarked on a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey.
the idea itself was simple: we wanted to take our commitment to domestic manufacturing to the next level, beginning with our tried and true staple... a plain white t-shirt.
to accomplish that feat, we would work to oversee every step of production for a tee -- all the way from the planting of a cotton seed to when the tee is packaged and sent to its forever home.
after embarking on that journey with a lot to learn, going through years of both challenges and victories, we are excited to see this long labor of love come to fruition... and to do it all within a 400-mile radius from nashville.
Martin Farms
( step 1 )
we were extremely fortunate to be introduced to Larkin Martin a seventh-generation farmer and leader in regenerative agriculture. her passion, expertise, and dedication to sustainable farming practices played a crucial role in making our vision for the Cotton Project a reality.
Larkin's 8,000-acre farm in Northwest Alabama focuses strictly on regenerative farming practices. While the conventional method involves overusing chemical pesticides and plowing soil for weed control, their regenerative approach helps soil maintain its full health and fertility. healthy soil sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, which further enhances the nutrients in the soil. Planting cover crops and using crop rotation prevents soil erosion, increases water retention, and improves biodiversity.
We committed to an entire 22-acre plot of cotton. Wanting to invest in this farming approach, we also decided to offer a premium price for the cotton to support the farmers and operations at Martin Farms.
Thomasville, NC.
( step 2 )
HILL SPINNING
once harvested, the cotton remained in Courtland to be ginned, removing the impurities and seeds from the cotton fibers. then, our cotton was ready to be sent to Hill Spinning in Thomasville, NC, to be spun into thread.
Hill Spinning is a third-generation family-owned operation. the folks there were so supportive of the project that they offered to dedicate a portion of their facility to our cotton, halting all other production. this allowed them to ensure our cotton’s integrity by avoiding cross-contamination with cotton from other sources while it was being spun into a beautiful, high-quality 26-singles yarn.
( step 3 )
DIGNITY APPAREL
the yarn was then sent to Dignity Apparel, a garment production facility in the small town of New Tazewell, Tennessee. Since 2022, Dignity has operated out of its two facilities in Tennessee and Iowa, with the mission to create dignified, life-changing jobs and to further restore the American garment manufacturing industry.
in their hands, our yarn was knit into an incredible tubular fabric, then cut and sewn into the t-shirts that we are so excited to finally release.
this is just the beginning of an initiative that will evolve and make an impact for years to come. for us, the Cotton Project is more than just a line of t-shirts; it’s a statement of commitment and a challenge to the apparel industry.
by seeing through the entire process from planting a seed to releasing a garment, we want to upend the prevailing model of exporting American cotton overseas for production. in the process, we can reinvest our own efforts back into the communities close to home.
