Top 5 'Myco-Textile' Mushroom-Based Craft Supplies to Create Sustainable Vegan Leather Goods in 2025
Hey crafters and creators!
Have you ever stopped mid-project, looked at your materials, and wondered about their journey? For years, we've navigated a tricky landscape. On one hand, traditional leather carries a heavy environmental and ethical weight. On the other, many "vegan" alternatives are essentially plastics in disguise, trading one problem for another. It's a dilemma that has left many of us searching for a truly sustainable, beautiful, and workable material.
Well, get ready to be inspired, because the future of crafting is not just green—it's fungal. We're talking about myco-textiles, revolutionary materials grown from mycelium, the intricate root-like network of mushrooms. This isn't science fiction; it's the next big wave in sustainable art and design. These materials are biodegradable, cruelty-free, and have a unique aesthetic that's both earthy and futuristic. As we at the Goh Ling Yong studio constantly explore the cutting edge of materials, the rise of accessible myco-textiles is one of the most exciting developments we've seen.
By 2025, the world of mushroom-based craft supplies will have blossomed, moving from niche labs to our very own workbenches. So, grab your craft knife and an open mind. We’re about to dive into the top 5 myco-textile supplies that will revolutionize how you create sustainable vegan leather goods.
1. Myco-Flex™ Craft Sheets
Think of this as your gateway into the world of mushroom leather. Myco-Flex™ Craft Sheets are the most accessible and user-friendly myco-textile on the market. These are pre-grown, processed, and finished sheets of mycelium material, ready to be cut and sewn the moment you unroll them. They arrive feeling like a soft, high-quality suede, but with a character all their own.
These sheets are created by growing mycelium over a substrate of agricultural waste (like sawdust or hemp husks) in controlled conditions. Once the mycelium has formed a dense mat, it's harvested, treated with natural tannins (like those from tree bark), and pressed to create a durable, flexible textile. Available in various thicknesses, from a delicate 0.8mm for lining wallets to a sturdy 2mm for bag exteriors, they offer incredible versatility. What's truly special is the subtle, unique surface pattern on each sheet—a gentle reminder of its organic origin.
Tips for Creating:
- Projects: Myco-Flex™ is perfect for projects you'd typically use medium-weight leather for. Think minimalist wallets, sleek laptop sleeves, journal covers, watch straps, and unique jewelry pieces.
- Cutting & Sewing: Use a very sharp rotary cutter or a craft knife with a fresh blade for the cleanest cuts. When sewing, use a leather needle (a size 90/14 works well) and a slightly longer stitch length than you would for fabric. Mycelium leather is self-healing to a degree, but it's best to minimize unpicking stitches.
- Finishing: The edges can be burnished with a bit of water and a wooden slicker for a professional, sealed finish, just like traditional leather.
2. The Reishi Grow & Sculpt Kit
For the adventurous crafter who wants to connect with their materials on a deeper level, this is your call to action. The Reishi Grow & Sculpt Kit provides everything you need to grow your own custom piece of mycelium leather from scratch. It’s part science experiment, part artistic process, and 100% rewarding. These kits typically come with a sterilized substrate, live Reishi mycelium culture, a filter-patch grow bag, and detailed instructions.
The process is a lesson in patience and wonder. You'll inoculate the substrate, watch the beautiful white mycelium network colonize it over a few weeks, and then "fruit" a flat, leathery conk or sheet. The final step involves harvesting, pressing, and drying your creation. The magic of this kit is the ability to influence the final shape. By growing the mycelium in custom molds—like a silicone dish or a 3D-printed form—you can create bespoke shapes for bag flaps, decorative panels, or even solid forms, drastically reducing cutting waste.
Tips for Creating:
- Control the Environment: Mycelium needs a stable, warm, and humid environment to thrive. Find a good spot in your home away from direct sunlight and drafts. Keeping the process sterile in the early stages is crucial to prevent contamination.
- Experiment with Molds: Don't be afraid to get creative! A round cake pan can be used to grow a perfect circular base for a pouch. A rectangular container can yield a uniform sheet for a wallet. The texture of the mold's surface will also imprint on your finished piece.
- Drying is Key: The pressing and drying phase determines the final texture and durability. Pressing the grown piece between two smooth boards with weights on top creates a dense, leather-like material. Slower, even drying prevents cracking.
3. Myco-Mold™ Sculpting Compound
What if mushroom leather wasn't just a sheet material? Myco-Mold™ is a game-changer that brings mycelium into the third dimension. It’s a dense, putty-like compound made from finely ground mycelium, natural binders (like plant-based starches), and water. It handles like a premium air-dry clay but dries into an incredibly lightweight, durable material that feels like a cross between wood and leather.
This compound allows you to sculpt, press into molds, and form intricate shapes that would be impossible with flat textiles. Once fully cured (which usually takes 24-48 hours), it can be sanded to a silky-smooth finish, drilled, carved, and painted. It’s the perfect companion material for your Myco-Flex™ projects, enabling you to create bespoke hardware, buttons, and embellishments from the same sustainable source.
Tips for Creating:
- Hardware & Embellishments: Sculpt unique toggles for a duffel bag, custom buttons for a mycelium vest, or a beautiful centerpiece for a necklace. Use silicone molds to press and create consistent, detailed shapes like beads or zipper pulls.
- Keep it Moist: Work with slightly damp hands or tools to prevent the compound from sticking and to achieve a smoother surface. You can rehydrate the surface with a fine mist of water as you work.
- Finishing: Once cured, a light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper brings out a beautiful finish. Seal it with a non-toxic wax or a clear, plant-based varnish to protect it and give it a subtle sheen.
4. Fungi-Fibre™ Spun Yarn
Textile artists, rejoice! While Myco-Flex™ mimics leather, Fungi-Fibre™ Spun Yarn brings the magic of mycelium to the world of thread and fiber. This innovative material is created by processing long, fibrous strands of mycelium (hyphae) into a continuous thread. The resulting yarn is surprisingly strong, lightweight, and has a texture unlike anything else—imagine a blend of fine cotton and soft suede.
This isn't your average embroidery floss. Fungi-Fibre™ is a specialty material perfect for making a statement. Its natural, earthy tones—ranging from creamy white to a soft tan—add a beautiful, organic touch to any project. It’s perfect for visible, decorative stitching that highlights the craft and the material itself. Using this yarn to stitch a Myco-Flex™ wallet is the ultimate expression of sustainable, single-origin design. Many artisans, myself included in the Goh Ling Yong studio, are excited about its potential for weaving and macrame as well.
Tips for Creating:
- Decorative Stitching: Use it for saddle stitching on wallets, accent stitching on bag straps, or for embroidering patterns onto mycelium sheets. Its texture makes the stitches pop.
- Needle and Prep: The yarn has more "grip" than synthetic threads. Use a needle with a larger eye to make threading easier, and consider running the yarn through a bit of beeswax to smooth its passage through the mycelium leather.
- Tension: Practice on a scrap piece first to get a feel for the right tension. The yarn has a little give but isn't elastic, so even, consistent tension is key to beautiful stitches.
5. Myco-Hue™ Natural Dye & Sealer Kit
Your myco-textile creation is grown, cut, and sewn—now it’s time to bring it to life with color and protection. Mycelium leather is a "living" material in the sense that it’s highly porous and will readily absorb oils, water, and pigments. The Myco-Hue™ Kit is specifically designed to work with the unique properties of these textiles.
These kits move away from harsh chemical dyes and sealants. The dyes are often derived from other fungi, like the brilliant yellows from Lobster mushrooms or the deep blues and greens from Turkey Tail mushrooms, creating a harmonious, all-fungi palette. The sealer is typically a plant-based emulsion, like a carnauba or soy wax blend, that provides water resistance without sealing the material in plastic. This allows the myco-textile to remain breathable, developing a beautiful patina over time, much like high-quality vegetable-tanned leather.
Tips for Creating:
- Test First: The natural absorbency of mycelium means it takes dye very intensely. Always, always test your colors and techniques on a small offcut before committing to your main project.
- Create Effects: Use techniques from fabric dyeing to create stunning effects. Try dip-dyeing for an ombré look, or use resists like wax or string to create shibori-style patterns.
- Sealing for Longevity: The sealer is not just for looks; it’s essential for the durability and water resistance of your finished goods. Apply it in two or three thin, even coats with a soft cloth, allowing each coat to dry fully. This will protect your piece and give it a beautiful, professional luster.
The Future is in Your Hands
The emergence of myco-textiles is more than just a trend; it's a fundamental shift towards a more thoughtful, sustainable, and connected way of creating. From the simple elegance of a pre-made sheet to the profound experience of growing your own material, these mushroom-based supplies empower us to make things that are not only beautiful and functional but also kind to our planet.
The workbench of 2025 is a place of incredible innovation, where biology and artistry meet. It’s a place where we can finally close the loop, creating compostable, cruelty-free goods that come from the earth and can safely return to it.
Now, I turn it over to you. Which of these myco-textile supplies are you most excited to try? What sustainable vegan leather goods would you create first? Share your ideas and projects in the comments below—we can't wait to see what you grow
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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