How is Hemp Turned Into Fabric?

You might be wondering: How is hemp turned into fabric? Whether you are considering buying hemp-made clothing or not, you should learn more about how the plant is processed.

Here are some steps in the process. These include the spinning of hemp fibres, flattening them with pressure, using softeners and wrinkle-resistors, bleaching and dyeing, and more.

Although hemp processing is not completely eco-friendly, the process does not include the use of harmful chemicals.

Before we learn how hemp is processed into fabric, we should first understand the different benefits of using it.

Unlike cotton, hemp requires only small amounts of land to grow, and it produces twice as much fibre per hectare as cotton.

Moreover, hemp is a sustainable crop, which means that the process should not negatively affect the environment.

Therefore, hemp-based textiles should be made using low-impact methods and consideration for the workers, the consumer, and the profits.

The hemp stalk is harvested when the lower leaves turn yellow. The stalks are subsequently sorted into two sections: the fibrous outer portion and the woody core.

Once the male stalks are harvested, the female ones are left to mature until their seeds are ready. The male plants produce fibre with a finer texture than the female ones.

A 1996 study in Hungary concluded that male hemp fibre was more valuable than the female hemp fiber and was 12% stronger.