What is Hemp?
Thursday, March 20th, 2008What is Hemp?
Hemp is a natural fiber product of the Cannabis sativa plantHemp Sandal. Astute readers may be aware of other byproducts of this plant, but hemp is produced from a type of Cannabis sativa specifically bred to yield long fibers. Cultivation of hemp for industrial purposes has been undertaken for thousands of years, and hemp was used to manufacture rope, canvas, paper, and clothing until alternative textiles for these purposes were discovered.
Traditionally, hemp has been a very coarse fiber, which made it well suited to rope but less than ideal for clothing designed to be worn against delicate human skin. Advances in breeding of the plants and treatment of the fibers have resulted in a much finer, softer fiber, which is ideal for weaving into clothing. While Hemp clothing in the late 20th century came to be associated with fringe movements, it was once widely utilized as a textile: the word canvas, for example, is related to Cannabis, one of the original components of canvas.
As of 2006, it was still very difficult to grow industrial hemp in the United States, due to the plant’s confusion with marijuana. Though the two plants are members of the same species, they have been bred to achieve different ends, and industrial hemp does not contain enough tetrahydrocannabinol to make it a psychoactive substance. The growth of industrial hemp in the United States is heavily regulated, Bamboo Clothing although the neighboring nation of Canada grows commercial amounts of the plant product.
In addition to providing useful fibers, hemp seed also has high nutritional value, and the plant can be used to make biodegradable plastics, some fuels, and a variety of other things. While hemp is unlikely to save the world, as many proponents are fond of saying, it is an underutilized vegetable resource. Hemp is rich in healthy fats and some vitamins, depending on how it is grown. As a result, it is frequently used in skin salves and balms, as well as in nutritional supplements.
Hemp clothing tends to be strong, insulating, absorbent, and durable. This durability makes it well suited to garments that will see hard wearBamboo fabric, because hemp fibers can last up to three times longer than cotton fibers. Most frequently, hemp clothing is woven, although the fibers tend to form chunkier threads than other natural textile components like cotton. Hemp can also be used in knits.
Untreated hemp fiber is pale blonde in color and takes dye well. Many hemp textile products are colored with plant dyes, which gives hemp an undeserved reputation for being dull in color. In fact, hemp can be dyed as vividly as other textiles like cotton.
Few consumers realize that conventional cotton farming is one of agriculture’s most environmentally destructive activities, taking an enormous toll on the air, water, and soil, as well as people living in cotton growing areas. Cotton uses approximately 25 percent of the world’s insecticides and more than 10 percent of the pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants.). In the U.SOrganic Cotton. in 2000, 84 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the country, ranking cotton second behind corn in total amount of pesticides sprayed. The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as “possible,” “likely,” “probable,” or “known” human carcinogens.
Over the past decade, a small number of farmers have begun to grow cotton organically, producing high quality cotton while significantly reducing the use of toxic chemicals. Each T-shirt made from one hundred percent organic cotton saves one-third of a pound of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Consumers who buy organic cotton help support this fledgling sustainable industry.
Other Options
While buying organic cotton clothes is a great way to help safeguard the environment, there are other ways you can contributeSoybean clothing with your clothing purchases. Sweatshop-free and Union-made clothes ensure that the clothing you wear is not bundled up with the misery of those producing it. Many of these vendors offer clothes made from organic materials as well. See our listings here.
Buying second-hand is also a great alternative and may ultimately conserve the most resources. Most second hand clothes are in excellent condition - not to mention a lot of the proceeds go to charity (depending on the shop). Most of these are neighborhood stores but there are some chains like Value Village
Welcome to Dreamirie, by Irie Star - a positive place where comfort, beauty, and natural style all blend. Our natural women’s clothing pieces are entirely our own original creations.?We use natural fiber fabrics with a focus on hemp and hemp blends, organic cottons and more.?These garments are the best in eco fashion - thoroughly sweatshop-free, amazing quality fabrics, superior fit, and made especially for you.
Each garment is designed here at our studio, sewn by hand, and then custom dyed to suit you.?A lot of time and care goes into making sure your garment ends up just right.?See our Dye Sample Page for color possibilities for your custom dyework.? We are working on updating our custom screenprints page, please check back for new prints at a later date.?
We will occasionally haveOrganic cotton clothing these items premade and available for immediate sale through our premade page. Keep an eye out there for uniquely printed and embellished items.
Want to learn more about our garments??Visit our FAQ to get all the answers you need about our process and how you can get some of our clothing for yourself.
link:http://www.fashionorganic.cn/