Hessian Cloth or Burlap Fabric: What To Choose?

Hessian/burlap is used in various industries for diverse purposes. It plays an especially significant role in the packaging industry. It can also be combined with other vegetable fibers to make ropes or nets.

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The most common burlap products are sacks, which can store rice, potatoes, etc. Burlap fabric is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of industries, including home décor, art and crafts, agriculture, and more. Various other applications of burlap fabric include emergency flood response, art, building material, beekeeping, flooring applications, etc.

What is Hessian Cloth?

Hessian Cloth/ Burlap is a rough, loosely woven high-strength fabric made from jute plant or sisal fibers.

• The first step in manufacturing the

  Burlap fabric

  is growing jute. Jute is mostly grown in West India and East Pakistan, where it finds its most suitable climate to grow.

• Classified by its color, we have three types of burlap (jute), namely, the white from Corchorus capsularis (lighter and less durable than others). Tossa from Corchorus olitorius is the main type and is more fibrous and brown than the others. Mesta (a combination of white and Tossa jute) and jute cuttings (unwanted and roughest part of the jute plant, but can be used to make rudimentary textiles).

• When the jute plants begin to shed their leaves, it means that they are ready for harvest, and they are cut. The jute fibers are obtained from the stalk&#;s inner stem and outer skin.

• The cut stems are gathered and steeped or soaked in water. And when it becomes soft, the tissues are removed from its skin and used to make small bundles.

• The process of removing the tissues from the stem and skin of the jute stalk is called retting. This process makes the stalks softer and makes it easier to separate the fibrous material from the unproductive material using the hands.

• The fibers are washed and sundried, ready for transport to the mill, where they will be further processed. Here, fiber blending and yarn creation convert the strips into burlap. The yarn created is treated and thinned, then woven and twisted into the burlap fabric.

• In the mill, the jute strips are processed into burlap fabric that you can purchase from a store. The mill will group the fibers by strength, color, thickness, etc., and this is how they will be bundled into long strings to be blended. It is then treated and pressed to reduce its largeness, then thinned again.

• The yarns now undergo roving, where the fibers are twisted and spun. The yarns can be subjected to several chemical processes to make them water or fire-resistant.

• After this, a finished yarn is formed, and depending on the buyer&#;s choice; it remains in spools, flat textiles, or cups of yarn.

• Jute yarn

  can also be made using automated machines, although most communities that produce jute prefer spinning wheels.

• Jute fabric that will be made into clothing will undergo softening techniques. However, jute fabric produced for industrial use remains in its original form.

Characteristics and Strength of Hessian

Some of the key characteristics of Burlap include:

• Strength:

  The tensile strength and resistance of the burlap fabric is one of the properties that make it stand out for its sturdiness. This feature makes it durable, withstanding stress and time because of the rigid construction of the burlap fibers.

• Weather resistance:

  You can wet and dry burlap fabric without fear of losing strength. So, it is  suitable for areas with harsh weather conditions since it can withstand vagaries due to humidity and water.

• Low cost:

  In addition to its other interesting features, the burlap fabric is cheap to produce.

• Sustainable:

  Burlap is made from jute, which is one of the most eco-friendly agricultural products to grow. Jute gives back more than it takes. A hectare of jute consumes 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide and releases 11 tonnes of oxygen in 120 days of growth.

Applications of Hessian Cloth

• Agriculture and Erosion Control

  : This fabric can be used to make gunny sacks to ship products such as cement, cotton, wool, and agricultural products. Since the fabric is breathable, it reduces the risk of spoilage or condensation especially for food products. Additionally it is a strong fabric and more resistant to tearing. During times of flood burlap sacks are filled with sand to create sandbag barriers, thereby preventing water from entering into certain places. They are also used to prevent soil erosion. They are filled with mulch or other materials and placed in areas where soil erosion is a concern.

• Packaging and Transportation: Hessian cloth

  bags are regularly used for packaging agricultural products such as tea, coffee, potatoes, wheat etc. They are also used for transporting industrial products. Besides this bulk goods such as construction materials such as construction material, sand, and gravel  are transported using burlap bags. 

• Decor and Crafting:

  Burlap is now even being used to make handbags and pouches. Their rustic appearance gives them a unique aesthetic appeal and makes them an ideal packaging for several products including candles, tea, coffee and artisanal products. Some other items that burlap fabric can be used to make include table mats, curtains, ribbons and bows, wreaths, upholstery, wrappers, pot plant covers and wall hangings.

Advantages of Choosing Hessian Cloth

• Eco-friendly and Biodegradable: Hessian is made from the fibers of jute cloth. Jute, which is also known as the golden cloth, grows quickly and requires a very low amount of fertilizer and pesticide. The water it requires to grow is minimal as well. 

• Cost Effective and Versatile: Burlap is inexpensive as compared to other materials used for similar applications. It is widely available, durable and can be reused. As discussed earlier, it can be used for multiple applications across various sectors, making it an extremely versatile option.

Hessian vs Other Textiles

Hessian fabric is coarse, strong and extremely durable. It is primarily used for storage and where the strength of the fabric is of key importance. Other commonly used textiles include cotton, polyester, nylon, and some other blended fabrics. Each of them have their unique properties. When it comes to strength, durability, and versatility, hessian fabric aces.However when it comes to finesse, hessian cannot compete with other textiles as it is thick and coarse. Therefore it cannot be used for clothes. It is also one of the most sustainable choices. The production process of jute itself has a very low environmental impact, which is now a huge concern in the textile industry.

Sustainable Production of Hessian

Jute production and Hessian Manufacturing: Jute requires warm and humid conditions and is mostly grown in Eastern india and Bangladesh. The jute seeds are sown in march. Jute is harvested within 120-150 days. The harvested plants are kept in the field for 3 days so that the leaves are shed. They then go through the process of retting, followed by stripping (extracting the fiber), washing, drying, bailing, production and storage. Hessian is packed into Kutcha bales of about 250 pounds for use in mills or jute markets and the bales are stored. 

The raw jute bales then undergo a selection process where they are assorted according to their intended use. After the selection process the jute bales are carried to the softening section.Breaker rolls are again carded and silvers are made. Two or three silvers together are mixed and stretched to reduce weight per linear measure to suit spinning. Spinning is where silvers are elongated further and fibers are twisted to impart strength. Spun yarns are bound into bobbins. The basic purpose of spinning is to convert fibers into yarn which can then be woven. The woven fabric then undergoes dampening and clandering. This is followed by Lapping and bailing, where the fabric is flattened and pressed according to buyers needs.

Customization and Printing on Hessian

Hessian fabric can be dyed and customized to the requirements of the customers. At Ludlow Jute we have in-house dyeing facilities, and we can dye the fabric as per customers&#; requirements, following a sample, a swatch, or an internationally-accepted color code, such as Pantone. We put the branding and logos on jute sacks for our clients. Apart from a regular weave, we are capable of producing weave patterns such as basket-weave, twill, herringbone, leno, checked, and striped fabrics.

Care and Maintenance of Hessian

Tips for cleaning and storing hessian cloth: Hessian cloth needs to be cared for to preserve its longevity and usage. Burlap needs to be washed gently and not soaked for prolonged periods. To take care of odors, lay the burlap item outside and sprinkle it with baking soda, turning it and adding more baking soda after a few hours. For more stubborn odors, lay the item out in sunlight and treat it with vinegar or lemon juice. Before storing any type of burlap, make sure you have cleaned and dried it completely. Burlap should be stored in a cool, dry environment since it readily draws moisture from the air and can mold easily even in environments with only a little humidity. 

Want more information on custom hessian bags? Feel free to contact us.

Additional Read: What is Jute Fabric?

Conclusion: Embracing the Strength and Versatility of Hessian Cloth

• The Timeless Appeal of Hessian

  :

  The earliest usage of Hessian fabric can be tracked down to the early 19th century in India

  . Back then, Hessian cloth was typically used for carpeting and rugs. From there, the fabric was exported around the world where it would eventually land in Jamaica, North America and eventually everywhere else.

• Utilizing Hessian in Sustainable and Creative Ways: Being highly durable, hessian can be used in a variety of ways. As discussed earlier, it is used in a variety of industries, from agriculture, construction to home decor. Besides the traditional uses, there are several innovative ways to use hessian. These include DIY accessories, containers for plants, root wrappers for transplanting plants, sunshades, and much more.

There are many different types of fabric that you can use to create all kinds of clothing, furniture, and other items. One such material is hessian. Hessian fabric is integral to everyday life, but what is it?

Common questions about hessian include - What type of fabric is hessian? What is hessian used for? And what&#;s the difference between hessian and jute?

So, take a look below to find out more about this versatile material:

What type of fabric is hessian?

So, depending on where you go in the world, you will find a different name for hessian. For example, it&#;s often referred to as burlap in the US, and in Jamaica, it&#;s called crocus. Then, of course, there is also the jute variation.

There are different types of hessian. The fabric is made out of sisal fibres, but they can also come from the skin of the jute plant itself.

A lot of the jute you see worldwide is grown in India. There are two main varieties: the tossa jute and the white jute. This particular type of plant does best in a warm, naturally humid area with high levels of rain.

Is hessian fabric eco-friendly?

Because jute is a natural fibre, hessian is considered environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Initially, it was a pretty rough, densely woven fabric. However, nowadays, it is widely refined and easy to work with, available in many different weights and shapes.

What are the different types of hessian fabric?

There are different types of hessian fabrics, including:

Laminated hessian

Laminated hessian fabric has a somewhat rough texture but also has a laminated surface which is applied to the back of the material. The lamination helps to stop water and other types of liquids from reaching the fabric. Because of how it has been made, you can use laminated hessian fabric to wrap things that you don&#;t want to get wet.

Dyed jute hessian

This is one of the more classic types of hessian, which comes in a range of different colours. It is made in the same way as naturally occurring hessian fabric, with the only real addition being solid dye which helps to create a coloured jute hessian. The larger holes work here by making it appear semi-opaque when dried. This fabric is one of the most versatile versions of hessian and is used in everything from construction to arts and crafts projects.

Soft hessian

Soft hessian is a particular type of hessian which is similar to dyed hessian and is woven in the same way. The big difference, however, is the softer finished product.

Bituminised hessian

Bituminised hessian is another fabric with open, rough weaves. It is often used as a protective material owing to how tough it is because the bitumen helps to fashion a watertight cover. It is often used as temporary flooring in outdoor environments.

What do you use hessian fabric for?

We use hessian in many different places because it is a pretty practical and simple fabric to work with.

The main ways hessian fabric is used include:

• Sandbags
• Foor storage
• Planter bags
• Nets
• Arts and crafts
• Interior design and upholstery
• Soundproofing
• Heat protection

What is the difference between jute and hessian?

When we talk about hessian, people often get confused because there are interchangeable names for it. For example, some people refer to it as burlap, some people refer to it as jute, and others know it as hessian.

The main difference is the refined nature of the product. Generally speaking, jute is a much more refined version of hessian because it has been created specifically to be a lot softer.

Woven hessian is coarse and rough, making it suitable for some items but not others. However, today it comes in a variety of weights ideal for a range of things, including packaging, bags, furnishings, and industrial uses.

Using hessian fabric for sewing projects

Hessian is a material which is flexible overall. It has a lot of great characteristics, and it is easy to see why it is so popular. Depending on how it is woven together, it can be used for outdoor and indoor settings, food, storage, upholstery, and many other practical applications.

There are many variates of hessian fabric. Why not try out different kinds of hessian for yourself - you&#;ll soon discover just how flexible and easy it is to work with. Feeling inspired? Take a look at our selection of hessian fabrics to start your next sewing project.

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