The fabric selvage left over from textile factories—surprisingly little known—is actually a treasure trove for protecting life, even though it is considered industrial waste!

The “Mimi Project” is a creative and sustainable initiative focusing on fabric selvages and scraps generated during textile production. Established by designers and artists who recognized the unique value of these fabric remnants, the project is supported by the Japan Textile Designers’ Association (TDA). It serves as a platform connecting factories and end users. The goal is to increase interest in textiles through these fabric selvages and to create a sustainable environmental cycle that eliminates the disposal of these materials.

Project Inauguration

Fabric selvages—surprisingly little known—are generated in textile factories, with about 100 kg per week from a single factory incinerated as industrial waste. Witnessing this situation, designers and artists from the Japan Textile Designers’ Association (TDA) took action. Beyond environmental protection, they aimed to find more effective uses for this soft, fluffy, and charming material. Leveraging the association’s unique network and system, the project started five years ago. Fabric selvages are delivered to appropriate locations for reuse, aiming for zero waste and promoting social contribution beginning with everyday actions. The initiative also seeks to raise awareness about sustainable upcycling that enriches daily life.

Project Activities

Since its launch in November 2019, the Mimi Project has held several exhibitions: in 2020, the “Create with Fabric Selvages” exhibition at Tokyo’s Coppice Kichijoji; in 2021, the same exhibition at Nerima Art Museum Civic Gallery in Tokyo. In 2022, the project was invited to exhibit at the Japan Hobby Show held at Tokyo Big Sight. In 2023, the “mini mimi expo 2023” was co-hosted with the Osaka Design Center (ODC). Looking ahead, the “mini mimi expo 2024” is planned to be co-hosted with ODC at the Osaka Design Center in October 2024.

Future Prospects for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

As part of a three-year plan aligned with the 2025 Osaka Expo, the “mini mimi expo” was launched last year in Senba to progressively build an SDGs-focused platform centered on textiles made from fabric selvages. The event has featured exhibitions, sales of works made from fabric selvages, and workshops. This year, a symposium will also be held featuring the CEO of a company that has achieved the remarkable feat of creating soil from textiles (this soil will be used in the main hall at the Expo venue). Toward the Expo year, the “mini mimi expo 2025” is scheduled for April, featuring a mini fashion show showcasing fabric selvage creations, aiming to raise broad awareness of the potential of fabric selvages.