Linens

Description:

Hemp fibers are used to manufacture fine linen garments, bed linens, and other linen products.

How it’s Made:

The long strands of fiber that make up the stalk of the hemp plant is used to make hemp fabric. “Retting” is the process wherein the fibers of the hemp plant are separated from the bark. The fibers are then whirled together to produce a continuous thread that can be woven into a fabric.⁽¹⁾

Advantages:

Hemp is an exceptionally durable and strong eco friendly fabric thus has a tensile strength eight times that of cotton fiber. It is also considered non-irritating to the skin and hypoallergenic by many.⁽²⁾

Disadvantages:

Hemp wrinkles easily and is not colorfast so it does not give a rich color on the fabric.⁽³⁾

History:

About 10,000 years ago, history of hemp fabric has started. Remnants of an 8000 BC hemp cloth had been found in Iraq. In 1200 BC Europeans have learned about hemp fabric and spread the knowledge around the continent. Chinese emperor, Shen Nung, taught his citizens to weave clothing out of hemp from the Cannabis sativa they cultivated. China has become the longest in history in hemp cultivation roughly around 6000 years.⁽⁴⁾

Looking to the Future:

The possibility for hemp fabrics are immense in the future. Hemp having a vast potential to be produced cheaply, it will eventually supersede cotton, linen and polyester.⁽⁵⁾