FAQs
cruelty-free stitchery
Product FAQ
Are your products vegan/cruelty-free?
Yes! Cruelty-Free Stitchery is a fully vegan company, with a vegan owner/operator - so no animal products or by-products are used. (I even go so far as to avoid stocking fabrics that depict non-vegan food lol).
Cruelty-Free is in the name, but this term generally applies to cosmetics and animal testing - so no I don't test products on animals!Â
I mostly get this question in regards to the "natural rubber elastic" I use for scrunchies. Actual natural rubber comes from a tree that produces latex sap. It is not the petroleum rubber used for things like car tires.Â
Are your products plastic-free?
Mostly! I'm working to phase out synthetic materials wherever possible. Very few products contain polyester thread, or use synthetic (not plant-based) materials. Read more about sustainability here! I ship plastic-free as well - most orders go in recycled paper mailers, or reused boxes with paper tape.
How many (cotton rounds, cloth wipes, nonpaper towels) should I get?
This is not a super easy answer, so it depends! How many disposable ones do you typically use? How often are you able (or willing) to do laundry?
For most things, you shouldn't have to add an extra laundry cycle - just toss them in with your towels. Make sure you have enough reusables to last between cycles. (i.e. if you wash towels once a week, have enough for at least a week plus a few extra).
From my experience, having more is better so you don't run out too fast and end up going back to disposables anyways. But you can always start with a pack and add more!
If we're talking NonPaper Towels and you have kids - add one per kid. (They loooove to help pick a print, and they'll be way more interested in using ones they like!)
For Cloth Wipes, assuming you're using them for baby, just like diapers - the younger the baby, the more you'll use. Most go with two packs.
Cotton Rounds depends on how often you use makeup, or if you use them for toner once or twice a day. One pack for occasional makeup and daily toner, two for daily makeup and toner.
What's with the purple threads?
Branding! And sustainability! My brand color is a lilac pinky-purple, so you know where they came from. Stocking multiple colors of this specialty thread is costly, and unfortunately wastes some in the process of switching colors in the machine.
As of 2025, some NonPaper Towels are being made with either an off-white or black thread in effort to reduce costs (whichever goes best with the fabric).
Your care instructions say to wash before use - why don't you pre-wash?
Many factors here, but mainly it's beyond impractical for me to pre-wash them all. I cut and sew hundreds of yards of fabric at once.
Washing removes stiffeners and "sizing" that makes the fabric smooth and easy to work with. While washing makes the fibers softer and fluffier and easier for you to use, this makes the cutting and sewing quite difficult if it's sticking to itself. If washed after cutting, the fabric will fray.
Lots of my customers have allergies or sensitivities to detergents, even the "free and clear" kind.
So many people (and dirty floors) have handled the fabric from the time it was woven to the time it leaves my office...
All the same reasons you wouldn't go buy new bath towels or underwear and use them right away without washing! At least I hope you wouldn't...
Do you take custom orders?
For reusable type products, generally no. I design the sizes and shapes of each piece of each product to use and fit the available material with virtually zero waste, so one-offs are not really feasible.
If you need a large quantity for an event or something like that, send me a message and I'll see how I can help.
I also offer wholesale, more information here.
Orders and Shipping FAQ
When will my order ship?
Orders are typically shipped on Tuesdays and Fridays, or the following business day if Tues/Fri is a holiday.
I try to keep processing time under 5 business days, but it can vary depending on order volume, which item(s) you ordered, etc.
So for example, if you order on a Sunday or Monday, that doesn't automatically mean it ships on Tuesday, it may be Friday or the following Tuesday.
If there will be an extended delay, such as a vacation, high order volume, etc, I will note at the very top of the page so you can plan your purchase accordingly.
Cruelty-Free Stitchery is a one-woman operation, and the woman (hi, that's me!) appreciates your patience!
Can you rush my order or send by a specific date?
Sometimes - please email me or use the contact form in advance if you have a specific deadline. Shipping upgrades are available at checkout, but they do not guarantee a faster processing time.
(DO NOT DM me or comment on social media for urgent matters or order questions - I don't have notifications on, and DMs get lost quickly.)
I placed multiple orders - can you ship them together?
Yes - if the first one has not shipped yet. My shipping software will catch this automatically if you used the same shipping address for both, so no need to contact me. Thanks for helping to reduce packaging waste!
If both orders charged shipping (i.e. they were both under $35 and within the U.S.), I will refund the difference of the total that you paid vs. what I pay for the label.
If you have NOT already ordered - for example, if I have announced a new product is coming and you want to order something now and wait for the new thing and ship them together - leave a note in the "order special instructions" box in your cart before checkout.
Where do you ship?
Orders ship from Maryland, USA.
To the USA:
Within the USA, including US Territories and APO/FPO, your order will ship via USPS.
Outside the USA:
Orders will ship DDP through Global-e. (delivered duty paid). Duties and taxes will appear as separate line-items at checkout, in your local currency.
You will have the option at checkout to use UPS, DHL, or DHL Express. Please note UPS cannot deliver to PO boxes.
Shipping costs?
Orders to the U.S. over $35 ship free! (after discounts).
For all other orders to the U.S., shipping is calculated based on weight and size of the package, and your location.
You can also choose shipping upgrades at checkout, such as to USPS Priority instead of the "standard" which is USPS Ground Advantage (formerly First Class).
Outside the U.S. - I use Shopify's Managed Markets, through Global-e, to get the best international shipping prices for a very small company like mine. Duties and taxes are also calculated at checkout, so there are no surprises upon delivery. They will be listed as separate line items, in your local currency.
Do you have an Etsy? Should I use that for International orders?
I do have an Etsy shop, and completely understand if you prefer to shop there (or not!) - however, it is better for everyone if you order here!
Way more selection for you, more room for me to put helpful information, easier for us to stay in touch, and of course - more of the money stays with me.
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Some handmade sellers use Etsy to facilitate international orders, but actually, it's still better if you order here!
The main reason other sellers use Etsy for this, is that Etsy acts as a "merchant of record" so they can collect and remit taxes and duties on the seller's behalf. Otherwise, a seller would need to register with every single country they'd like to sell to, which is not ideal for just a few occasional orders. And it's a hassle for the customer to have to pay duties afterwards.
Shopify now offers a solution for this as well! So they collect and remit the taxes and duties, and I can offer better rates for international shipping (cheaper than through Etsy or another 3rd party!)
Help! The post office lost my package / it says "delivered" but I don't have it!
If the package has been showing as "in transit" or "in transit, running late" on the tracking page for more than 7 business days (within the continental U.S.) - please contact us so I can submit an inquiry for you. This could increase during holidays, natural disasters, etc. Sometimes they do find it, or it magically starts moving.
I will not re-send the order until I have confirmation that the package was lost, and can file an insurance claim. You may re-order at your expense, and I will only refund the first order if it is confirmed lost or gets returned to me.
If the package has been marked as "delivered" but you didn't receive it - check with neighbors, behind the bushes, etc. Then wait a day or two. USPS sometimes scans packages as delivered prior to actual delivery. If it doesn't show up after 2 business days, call or visit your local post office with the tracking number. They can see where it was scanned, in case it was put on the wrong porch, or maybe in the wrong mailbox. They can also contact the carrier to see if maybe it fell behind the seat, it happens!
I cannot refund or replace orders marked as "delivered" but not received. Once it's in possession of USPS, it's literally out of my hands. You are welcome to reorder at your expense, and if both packages show up, I will accept a return of one package if it is unopened and not damaged.
Do you have a storefront?
Cruelty-Free Stitchery is a home-based business in Montgomery County, Maryland.
I do not have my own storefront, but I have products in a few Maryland shops, and sell to other retailers across the country! See all of my stockists here.
Also if you are in eastern Maryland, DC, or Northern Virginia, I vend at markets a few times per month! I go all over, from Baltimore to Annapolis to Gaithersburg, and occasionally down to Fairfax and Richmond! See my market schedule here. (Also on that page, you can sign up for my local email list and get notified of upcoming dates!)
If YOU have a storefront and want to stock Cruelty-Free Stitchery products - you can find my Faire Direct link right here, or see more information here!