From hemp fabric to hip fashion: What it is and how it works!

From hemp fabric to hip fashion: What it is and how it works!

You’ve probably heard of compostable bags and organic cotton t-shirts, but have you heard of hemp fashion? We’re here to tell you all about it. We’ve already established the diverse uses of hemp, so let’s talk about how hemp is revolutionizing fashion. 

It may come as a surprise but the production of hemp fiber into textiles is not new. In fact, the use of hemp for various materials dates back to 8,000 BC when hemp was used for a variety of  purposes in early civilizations in Asia, the Middle East and China. 

Hemp is a robust and quick growing crop that produces high fiber yield per acre. According to some sources, hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax when grown in the same land mass. This is what makes hemp one of the most environment-friendly and sustainable materials for textiles and fabric. When hemp is involved, you don’t have to worry about contributing to the environmental damage fast fashion causes to the planet. 

So how does it work? Hemp fabric is made from the fibers found in the stems of the hemp plant. The outer layer of the hemp stalk, formed from rope-like bast fibers, is separated from the hemp plant and processed for textile purposes. The separated bast fibers are carded into strands and exposed to steam explosion after which they’re spun into yarn and woven into textiles.  

Hemp fabric is similar to cotton in texture but also like that of a canvas. Highly resistant to pilling, hemp fabric is not susceptible to shrinkage. The long and sturdy hemp fibers mean that the fabric is extremely soft yet highly durable. Hemp fabric is estimated to be three times stronger than cotton, which means that while a typical cotton t-shirt may last you 10 years at the most, one made of hemp will easily outlive that by a decade or two. 

What’s more is that you don’t have to sacrifice the other benefits of cotton when switching to a more durable hemp. It's a lightweight, moisture wicking, breathable fabric that is resistant to mold, mildew and harmful microbes. It's easy to dye which makes it customizable and better suited to meet all your hip fashion needs.  

Hemp fabric’s high absorbency also makes it great for household textiles like towels. Its durability and resistance to wear and tear makes it a good substance to use with blankets and duvets. No matter what you weave hemp fabric into, what remains consistent is its high quality and sustainability. 

A lesser known fact, however, is that processing the hemp plant to produce fiber is more energy and water efficient, in the long-run, than producing cotton. Hemp fabric’s growing popularity will soon make it a more affordable and sustainable substitute for cotton. 

So where does HEMPALTA™ come in, you ask? At HEMPALTA, we’re using Hemp to Better the Planet™ by using our state-of-the-art advanced hemp processing technology to produce the highest quality of premium hemp, sustainably. Our hemp bast fiber’s superior quality makes it the perfect material for military uniforms, seatbelts and other products that demand high durability fabrics. 

As one of the only commercial-scale hemp processors in North America able to manufacture high-value hemp products, we supply premium hemp bast fiber across the world.