What is Hemp Fabric?

Hemp fabric is a type of textile that is made using fibers from the stalks of the Cannabis sativa plant.
The stalks of the hemp plant consist of two layers: The outer layer is formed from rope-like bast fibers, and the inner layer consists of a woody pith.
Only the outer layer of the Cannabis sativa stalk is used for textile purposes.

Hemp Fabric

History

For thousands of years, hemp was traditionally used as an industrial fiber.
Sailors relied upon hemp cordage for strength to hold their ships and sails, and the coarseness of the fiber made hemp useful for canvas, sailcloth, sacks, rope, and paper.
There is even mention of hemp in the Vedas, referring to it as one of five sacred plants of India.
In fact, hemp is quite native to India as the plant grows abundantly in the Northern state of Uttarakhand.
In the 16th century, King Henry VIII imposed fines on farmers who weren’t growing hemp and in the 18th century, the American Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper.
There are many such examples of hemp showing its importance and immense uses in the olden days.
The hemp fabric history started long ago – about 10,000 years ago and has developed a lot ever since.
Archeologists found remnants of hemp cloth in Iraq, that had been spun around 8,000 BC.
The Europeans had learned about this material in 1,200 BC and the knowledge spead around the continent extremely fast.
The Chinese knew about the hemp material benefits too: around 2700 BC the legendary Chinese emperor Shen Nung taught his citizens to cultivate Cannabis sativa and to weave clothing out of it.
The country is now considered to have the longest history of hemp cultivation around 6000 years .

Extraordinarily tensile and durable
Hemp has built-in UV protection It is wrinkle-resistant .
It is an insulator
Breatable , high absorbency anti-bacterial / anti-microbial properties & rash resistant .
It won’t grow mold or mildew if it gets wet.

Texture	Once it is processed into fabric, hemp is has a similar texture to cotton, but it also feels somewhat like canvas.
Fall	Drapable
Shine	Dull
Sheer	Opaque

Garments commonly made with hemp include dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, T-shirts, hoodies, and clothing for children.
In particular, this type of fabric is highly popular for T-shirts since it is resistant to wear and tear. Most cotton T-shirts start to warp, shrink, or fall apart after comparably few washes, but hemp T-shirts retain their shape and integrity for years and years.
It is even used in home textiles - tablecloths, upholstery, and dish towels .

Today, hemp fabrics have found applications across various categories like home decor, fashion, accessories, bath linen and can even be used for making products like sanitary pads, diapers, eco wraps etc.
Many brands and designers around the world are opening up to the wonders of hemp and its long-term benefits on the planet.
Companies like Hemp Fabric Lab and Bombay Hemp Company in Mumbai are on a mission to educate designers and consumers about hemp and help them make “healthier” fashion choices.
When it comes to slow fashion, hemp is definitely the one to watch out for.

Wash cold ,unless stained.
Hemp is durable and does not require hand washing.
For stains, use detergent directly or presoak, and use warmer water.
Don't expose clothing to dryer heat or iron until you’re sure the stain's gone.
Dry cleaning is ineffective. The hemp in the fabric responds better to washing.
Keep darks separate.
Avoid setting wrinkles by removing promptly from the washer/dryer.
Over-drying actually increases and sets wrinkles in hemp.
If you air dry, arrange the garment on a hanger, smoothing the collar, pockets and hems, as needed.
Heat and moisture remove wrinkles, so spritz or dampen in the shower or throw in the dryer for a few minutes to relax wrinkles.
If you iron, use fairly high heat. Test on the reverse side to prevent shine, especially on darker shades.
Hemp is tough: it wears in, not out and grows softer with use. A couple of dryer balls or tennis balls in a cool dryer hasten the process. That goes double for undyed Natural items.
Avoid chlorine bleaches on hemp. Oxy bleach products work better and are more Earth-friendly.