Creating with Respect: Using First Nations Fabrics in Your Handmade Products

Hints and Tips

At Cloth Cuts, we’re proud to support and celebrate First Nations artists by bringing their incredible designs to life on fabric. Each print you see in our collection has been created by a talented Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist who has partnered directly with us — not through intermediaries or licensing agencies, but with personal consent and full transparency.

These artists have given clear permission for their work to be printed on fabric and used by our customers — whether for personal projects or products made to sell. We know there’s been some confusion recently, so we want to be absolutely clear: Yes, you are allowed to use our First Nations fabrics to create items for resale.

This isn’t just a legal formality — it’s a respectful, collaborative process. Every artist:

Is paid fairly for their work, including commissions on each metre sold
Has the option to share their name, story, and cultural background if they wish
Chooses how their work is used, ensuring it aligns with their values and preferences

We honour the cultural importance of each design and are committed to working in a way that supports the artist’s voice and vision. This partnership is built on trust, mutual respect, and ongoing conversations — and we’re always listening, learning, and improving.

Want to Go One Step Further?

We recommend including the artist’s name, mob, and story when tagging or packaging your products. It’s a simple but powerful way to acknowledge the original creator, honour the meaning behind the artwork, and help your customers connect more deeply with what they’re buying.

We’ve even created a free printable tag template you can use — you’ll find space to write in the artist’s details so that their name travels with your creations.

If you have any questions about how we work with artists or how you can respectfully promote your handmade items, we’re always here to chat.

Thanks for being part of a community that values creativity, culture, and connection.

— The Cloth Cuts Team