The cannabis plant is known for its nutritional and medical applications. Perhaps, that is all you know about it. Have you ever imagined clothing made from hemp? How possible is that? No matter how odd it may sound, it remains one of the most notable uses of hemp that dates back to centuries ago.
Most clothing manufacturers use hemp to make fabrics which they use for manufacturing a wide range of clothing.
You may wonder how possible it is to create clothing from hemp. Not to worry, this post will reveal how hemp clothing is made and the many benefits of using the fabric.
When it comes to clothing, hemp is not a new kid in the block. According to research, it has long been a good source of fabric and even a valuable input in paper production since 770 AD. It is a unique fabric material that isn’t going anywhere for a long time.
Source: Unsplash
With each use, the fabric becomes softer. More so, it keeps the body dry by absorbing moisture quickly. It absorbs water better than cotton, thereby keeping your colors from fading and retaining dye quickly. Many fashion and CBD enthusiasts swear by its fantastic freshness and uniqueness because it keeps the body warm during cool weather and allows the skin to breathe during hot weather.
Despite its versatility, it is not so recognized in most parts of the western world. Part of the hemp fabric reputation can be attributed to the widespread use of CBD (one of the compounds of the cannabis Sativa plant). Moreover, CBDistillery is one of the few brands creating awareness about CBD and its many benefits. And since CBD is from the same cannabis plant, it has also created awareness about the hemp plant as well.
How is Hemp Fabric Made?
Hemp farmers use various processes to harvest the hemp plant and remove its outer layer before transforming it into a fabric. These processes include:
-
Growing the crop
Hemp can survive in the majority of the earth’s climate. However, its survival is highly dependent on its genetics. This is because most genetic lineages could resist risks from geographical and environmental factors more than others. These factors include mold, frost, etc.
Hemp survives more in warm weather and drained organic soil. That is why most farmers avoid areas where the soil is saturated because it is highly prone to rainfall and high-weed pressure. Generally, it would be best if you could test the soil to gauge its fertility before cultivation.
Source: Unsplash
Ensure you till the soil before you plant the crop. This is to loosen it up and aid the fast growth of the hemp plant. Use a consistent depth when planting each crop and make sure that the seedbed is shallow.
-
Harvesting
Harvest the fibers of the plants whose seeds have developed. Cut the stalk using a sickle from the base. If it is large-scale farming, you may use a mower alongside a sickle bay for uniform cuts.
After harvesting the hemp plant, leave it on the ground for a few weeks for retting to occur. However, most farmers usually use their hands to turn over the stems to speed up the retting process.
- Process the stem
At this stage, hemp farmers employ a decorticator, which is simply a two-gear roller-like machine that is used to break the dried pieces of the hemp plant from its stalk. The rollers break the stem apart and collect the fiber to one side as the dried stalks pass through it.
Source: Unsplash
-
Spin the fiber
This is done by putting twists in the fiber strands. After spinning, the thread may have a waxy feeling. And its length may range from 6-10 feet. However, this largely depends on the method of preparation too.
-
Produce clothing from the hemp thread
This is the last stage and one that most farmers look forward to with excitement. After spinning, wash the yarn and wind it into several loops around your thumb and elbow. Then, deep it inside lukewarm water and squeeze the water out of it before drying it. After that, you weave the threads on a loom, producing the hemp fabric we love.
Benefits of Using Hemp Fabric
- Highly pest-resistant
- Absorbent, all-natural fiber
- Soft on the skin, producing a soothing feel
- Hemp is a highly-yield crop making it highly sustainable and renewable.
- Machine washable
- Durable and long-lasting
- Mold and mildew resistant
- It has naturally insulating features that keep the body warm during winter and cool during summer.
- Hemp fabric has antibacterial properties.
Unique Features about the Hemp Plant
Hemp fabric is a textile produced from a high-yielding cannabis Sativa plant. It is known for its high versatility and value for various industrial processes, including manufacturing different clothing styles.
Hemp fabric is of a higher quality compared to other fabric types. Also, it has 8x the strength of different fabrics. This makes it a perfect choice for anyone that desires durability, style, and comfort in one piece of fabric.
Source: Unsplash
The hemp plant uses little or no water during its growth stage. One notable fact about the hemp plant worthy of mention is that the plant never degrades neither the soil nor the environment.
It leaves the soil in a better condition than how it was initially before it was cultivated. You can grow hemp for 30 years without depleting the soil. Isn’t that amazing?
Do you also know that the hemp plant produces more than 600% more fiber than flax? Many don’t know. And it remains a puzzle to the few that know this fact.
More than 70% of the harvesting procedures of this unique plant are done by hand. This keeps people engaged or employed, especially when it involves mechanized farming.
Final Thought
Now you know the benefit of hemp clothing and how it is made. So why wouldn’t you want to fill your wardrobe with clothing made from this unique plant? No matter your style preference, several unique styles have been created using hemp fabric.
References
https://www.mit.edu/~thistle/v13/2/history.html
https://www.life.ca/naturallife/0906/hemp_fiber_makes_a_comeback.htm
