Introduction Similar in appearance and texture to linen, hemp is an incredibly sustainable fiber that has been around forever! It comes from the same plant responsible for marijuana - the Cannabis sativa plant, however, it is bred to be much lower in THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) than its counterpart. How is Hemp Fabric Made? Once farmers have designated a variety of the Cannabis sativa crop for clothing, they allow the hemp to grow, usually undisturbed by pesticides or herbicides. It is generally harvested in August with a special machine and allowed to rest in the field for 4-6 weeks. Farmers then strip the outer layer of the stalk and the separated bast fibers are carded into strands and cleaned to remove any impurities. Depending on what the hemp will be used for, it is then pulped (to produce paper), matted (to make mats and fleeces), or steamed (to turn raw hemp into a wearable fiber for textiles). Hemp is extremely versatile and used in a range of products—from t-shirts and activewear to paper, to canvas, to stalks, to even super-strong ropes for ships. Advantages of Hemp Fabric Incredibly Eco Friendly The growth of hemp is an inherently eco-friendly process. It makes perfect sense that hemp has been grown for millennia because of its low water and resource requirements. Hemp is high yielding and produces much more product on much less land, without the need for any chemical pesticides. This, and the fact that it replenishes soil nutrients through growth gives it the ability to regenerate the soil. Hemp actually absorbs more CO2 from the atmosphere than forests. Plus, hemp’s growth is quick - taking around just 120 days to be ready for harvest. The hemp crop can also reuse land every couple of years, something that takes much longer with flax or cotton. The entire plant can be used. Stalks are used for clothing, however, the woody layer is great for animal bedding, building purposes, and fuel, so it really is a zero-waste material. Durable Hemp is a perfect choice for sails on maritime vessels, and ropes on ships - so you can assume that your favorite hemp t-shirt can withstand the elements, too. Long-Lasting Hemp will last for years - up to 30 years with proper care. Its fibers may soften but won’t degrade. Lightweight and Breathable It is one of the lightest fibers on the market, weighing a third less than cotton or wool. It is also a perfect fabric for sports due to its breathability. Natural SPF It has a natural built-in sun protection factor of up to 99.9%. Therefore, it is an amazing choice for sun protection wear. Naturally Anti-Microbial Hemp is resistant to harmful microbes, mold, and mildew - so can be worn multiple times without needing to be washed. Non-Shrink Hemp retains its shape and integrity very well, wash after wash, year after year. Disadvantages of Hemp Fabric Fertilizer Used Hemp production, as we mentioned above, requires very little in the way of herbicides and pesticides, but it has been known to require more nitrogen (fertilizer) than other textiles. So when shopping for hemp clothing, be sure to seek out organically certified sources. Texture Hemp feels like rough cotton, so not the best choice if you are looking for silky-soft bed sheets or baby clothing. Expensive One of the biggest disadvantages of hemp would be its price. Hemp is not as easily available as cotton for example, which drives up market costs. Where is Hemp Fabric Made and Sourced From? China produces approximately 70 percent of the world's output of hemp. France is the next largest producer of this crop followed by Austria, the United Kingdom, and Chile. In all, over 30 countries around the world produce industrial hemp, and the production of this crop in the United States is also on the increase. Our source of hemp comes from New Hemp, a Chinese based supplier who also use other natural fibers, such as organic cotton, combined with sustainable fibers like recycled PET. Examples of Hemp Fabrics from our Showroom Reactive Dyed Hemp/Organic/Sorona® Jersey Weave with Performance Stretch
Content: Polyester (Sorona®) 30 %, Cotton (Organic) 49 %, Hemp 21 % Fabric Type: Knit Weave: Jersey Season: Capsule Washing: Hand wash Drying: Line Dry Flat Ironing: Medium Temperature Bleaching: Do Not Chlorine Other Washing Instruction: Washing colors separately Width: 170 cm Weight: 255 g/s’m Country: China
Reactive Dyed Hemp/Recycled Poly/Sorona® Plain Weave with Performance Stretch
Content: Polyester (Sorona®) 21 %, Polyester (Recycled) 36 %, Hemp 43 % Fabric Type: Woven Weave: Plain Season: Capsule Finish: Piece Dyed Washing: Hand wash Drying: Line Dry Flat Ironing: Medium Temperature Bleaching: Do Not Chlorine Other Washing Instruction: Washing colors separately Width: 145 cm Weight: 205 g/s’m Country: China