IMPRESSIONS from a Cross-section

Hemp is one of the most versatile and sustainable crops on the planet. It can grow at the rate of sixteen feet in as little as one hundred days, needs little water, and doesn’t require pesticides. Every part of hemp plants can be used. Oil is pressed from seeds for biofuel, plastics and natural skin care, and stalks are used for fibers.

Hemp is also a very eco-friendly crop. It requires no pesticides and needs little water, yet it renews the soil with each growth cycle. Its long roots prevent erosion and help retain topsoil. Hemp grows readily in most temperate regions.

In many ways, hemp could be considered a miracle fiber. Consider the advantages:  

1. Strong: Clothing made of hemp fiber is lightweight, absorbant and, with three times the tensile strength of cotton, strong and long lasting.
2. Weather Resistant: UV and mold-resistant, hemp is excellent for outdoor wear.
3. Versatile: Hemp can be blended with other fibers for different qualities in the garment. Hemp/silk and hemp/cotton garments are now available.
4. Easy on the Environment: Hemp farming uses very little water, does not require the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers, and is a readily renewable resource.

The cellulose fiber from hemp is used to make many products, including jeans, shirts, dresses, hats, bags, ropes and canvas, skin care products, building materials, paper and many food products. Until the 1920's, 80% of clothing was made from hemp textiles.

Hemp can be grown with little or no chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. Nothing is wasted in the production process: seeds are used to make oil and food supplements, while the stalks are used for fiber. Hemp also produces more fiber per acre than trees, and can be renewed two to three times per year!

When it’s ready to wear, hemp clothing has a lot of personal advantages, too. The fabric has a soft feel and stands up to a lot of wear, due to hemp’s long, strong fiber structure. Hemp clothing is also very breathable and has excellent insulation properties, keeping the wearer warm in cool weather and cool in the summer. Because of the usual natural processing techniques, hemp clothing is an excellent choice for people with chemical sensitivities.