When we started looking for a new addition to our collection of natural fibre fabrics, our Wool Hemp fabric was an easy winner.
Hemp, scientifically known as Cannabis sativa, is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world and for centuries we have used industrial hemp to make paper, oil, medicine and much more. The hemp plant is incredibly sustainable to farm and has a surprising number of uses when separated from the mind-bending effects of its THC content.
What makes hemp sustainable?
Low Maintenance Farming
Hemp is one of the fastest growing commercial plants in the world and has the unique ability to thrive on minimal water, small patches of land and no pesticides. In fact, when done right, it uses almost 4x less water and produces 2x more fabric per acre compared to conventional cotton plants.
Good for the Earth
Along with being resource-friendly, hemp plants are resilient and can be planted on land not suitable for most other crops. The plant replenishes the soil by removing heavy metals & other contaminants, and when included in crop rotation, even increases wheat yields.
How is hemp fabric made?
Our luxurious range of hemp and wool blend fabric is made by Camira Fabrics in Yorkshire, who take great care to ensure the process is as sustainable as it can be:
- The hemp is grown as an agricultural crop on a local Yorkshire-based farm licensed by the UK government.
- Once harvested, the stems of the plant are placed on the ground for several weeks to allow for 'retting', a natural process that uses dew & rain to break down and separate the fibres from the central woody core. This is followed by mechanical decortication, through which the fine textile fibres are extracted.
- Since only the long stem is used to make the fabric, the leaves are left behind to act as a natural fertiliser and the woody core is generally used as building material.
- The hemp fibres are blended with pure wool, spun into a yarn, and finally woven into a beautiful fabric.
Why we love hemp fabric!
While being one of the most sustainable fabrics to produce, hemp also has many other advantages when compared to the popular natural fibres:
- The fabric is extremely durable and hard-wearing, giving it a long life and making it perfect for upholstered bed bases & headboards.
- It's lightweight, breathable and naturally fire-retardant.
- Since it's grown without the use of pesticides, it's non-toxic and completely biodegradable at the end of it's life.
- Its anti-bacterial properties makes it highly resistant to mould, mildew and harmful microbes.
Our Hemp & Wool Blend Fabric
Expertly woven from a blend of 60% wool and 40% hemp, our Wool Hemp is a fabric of natural beauty, and EU Ecolabel certified. It pairs beautifully with our handmade natural beds and headboards.
