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.
Why is hemp sustainable?
Hemp is an incredibly sustainable crop which, in turn, makes our wool hemp a sustainable fabric. Here are a couple of reasons why:
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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.
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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.
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Fast Growing
Hemp is among the fastest growing plants, along with bamboo, which makes it incredibly sustainable, as the plants that are used can quickly be replaced.
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.
Busting common myths about hemp
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about hemp, mainly because it comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. However, there is nothing mind-altering about industrial hemp (although a great set of hemp bed linen could well alter your mood!)
Myth |
Truth |
| Hemp is the same as marijuana | Hemp and marijuana are plants from the same species, but they are not the same. Hemp refers to chemotypes II, III, IV, and V of Cannabis sativa, and marijuana refers to chemotype 1. |
| Hemp can get you high | Hemp has no psychoactive properties. The psychoactive component in cannabis is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), but the concentration of this component in hemp is below 0.3%, which makes it completely unsuitable for recreational use! |
| Hemp is illegal | In the UK, hemp can be farmed for the seed and stems. A licence is required to cover both cultivation and possession, but the leaves of the plant cannot be sold. |
| Hemp is a new fad | Hemp was one of the first plants to be turned into usable fibres, and is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. |
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.
