Hemp Clothing

A Brief History and Benefits of Hemp Clothing

Hemp was one of the first textile materials in the world along with flax. There is evidence that it was in use as a textile fiber since about 3000 BC. In China and Taiwan, hemp fibers have been unearthed in archeological excavations. This shows that hemp was used so many millennia ago, and it is also proof to show that hemp is an extremely durable fiber which can withstand the test of time remarkably.

Early World Textiles – Hemp and Flax

Both hemp and flax were commonly used as textile fibers about five thousand years ago. These fabrics are very similar when they are woven into cloth, and only an expert can make out the difference. There were some similarities why hemp and flax were almost used interchangeably in the ancient past.

• Hemp and flax both produce soft clothes, which are ideal in the manufacture of linen.
• Both fibers provide a natural beauty in the clothes woven out of them.
• Both fibers are biodegradable and ecologically friendly.

However, with the passage of time, the use of hemp increased. The reason was that hemp could produce almost double the amount of fiber flax produced, and that hemp could grow in almost all kinds of climates. Hemp also did not require any fertilizers or pesticides for its growth. This brought a spurt to hemp production in Europe and Central Asia.

The strength of hemp fiber made it an ideal material for ship-building industries. It was used in the manufacture of masts and sails and in making rigging ropes for ships. This historical use of hemp, which began in the Middle Ages, continues even today.

Hemp production reached dizzying heights of popularity when both Presidents Washington and Jefferson advocated the growth of hemp, and they cultivated the crop. During this period, hemp fabrics were used in common clothes people wore, especially in the Americas and Europe.

The production of hemp took a setback in the 1930s when hemp cultivation was restricted and even banned due to the presence of THC. Hemp was considered to be a narcotic like marijuana and was banned from cultivation. It took serious lobbying to get hemp back into cultivation. Today hemp can be cultivated in several countries, though special licenses may be required for the cultivators.

Benefits of Hemp Clothing

There are many reasons why hemp is used as a popular fabric material since ancient times. The following are some of the prime benefits of hemp clothing:-

• The fibers obtained from hemp are long. This makes it easy to weave them.
• Hemp clothing is stronger than most cloth fibers. They do not break easily. It helps in making the clothes stronger.
• Hemp fibers do not require any pesticide and fertilizer for their cultivation. Due to this, hemp fibers are more natural than other fibers that are popularly used in making textiles.
• Hemp fibers are extremely pliable. Due to this reason, they can be twisted and turned in any which way without any resistance. Knots made in hemp hold much better than other fibers.
• Hemp fibers also have good elasticity. This makes the hemp clothing more tenacious and prevent the fabric from tearing easily.
• Hemp clothing is resistant to ordinary fabric problems such as mildew and mold infestations which occur during storage.
• Fibers of hemp clothing are soft. Due to this, they can be used in making light comfortable clothes for summer wear. Hemp is also very popularly used in the manufacture of soft linen clothes.
• Hemp is a natural block to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. It has been proven that any fabric made with at least half the concentration of hemp in it can help to block ultraviolet rays more effectively than other known fabrics.

In addition to all these advantages, hemp is certainly the textile manufacturer’s choice due to its ease of cultivation. Hemp is not a fussy crop, and can grow in almost any kind of climate. Furthermore, it does not get attacked by pests and rodent easily due to its natural fortification. Hemp grows very fast, making it an ideal short term rotator crop for the cultivator. Due to all these reasons, hemp textiles are at an unshakeable position in the world today. Despite the onslaught of wool and cotton, hemp clothing still hold their own due to their properties and ease of cultivation of the hemp.