the power of the yarn #2

Hemp clothing offers numerous benefits, making it an attractive option for those looking for sustainable and durable clothing choices. Here are some key benefits of hemp clothing:

1. Sustainability: Hemp is an eco-friendly and sustainable crop. It requires minimal water, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers to grow, reducing the environmental impact compared to other crops like cotton.

2. Biodegradability: Hemp fibers are biodegradable, meaning they break down naturally over time, reducing the environmental burden of clothing waste.

3. Durability: Hemp fibers are exceptionally strong and durable. Hemp clothing can withstand wear and tear, making it a longer-lasting option compared to many other fabrics.

4. Resistance to Mold and UV Light: Hemp fibers have natural properties that make them resistant to mold and ultraviolet (UV) light, adding to the longevity and versatility of hemp clothing.

5. Breathability: Hemp fabric is highly breathable and moisture-wicking, helping to regulate body temperature and keep you cool and comfortable in various weather conditions.

6. Hypoallergenic: Hemp fabric is naturally hypoallergenic, making it a suitable choice for people with sensitive skin or allergies.

7. Antibacterial Properties: Hemp fibers have natural antibacterial properties, which can help resist the growth of odor-causing bacteria, keeping clothing fresher for longer periods.

8. Low Chemical Use: Hemp cultivation typically requires fewer chemicals and pesticides compared to conventional cotton farming, contributing to a healthier environment and reduced chemical exposure.

9. Soil Enrichment: Hemp cultivation can actually improve soil quality and health due to its ability to act as a cover crop, preventing soil erosion and promoting nutrient retention.

10. Versatility: Hemp fibers can be used for a variety of clothing styles, from casual to formal wear, offering versatility and fashion choices.

11. Local Production: Hemp can be grown in many different regions, supporting local economies and reducing the need for extensive transportation of materials.

12. Regenerative Agriculture: Hemp can be grown using regenerative agricultural practices that promote soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable farming methods.

13. Reduction of Water Usage: Hemp requires significantly less water compared to other crops like cotton, contributing to water conservation efforts.

14. Carbon Sequestration: Hemp plants have the ability to capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which can contribute to mitigating climate change.

In summary, hemp clothing offers a wide range of benefits, including sustainability, durability, comfort, and positive environmental impact. As awareness of these advantages continues to grow, more people are considering hemp clothing as a responsible and ethical choice for their wardrobe.

The power of the yarn #1

Why 100% hemp?

I asked myself this question as most hemp clothing is 55% hemp and 45% cotton or other fibres.

Hemp as you may know is a superior natural fibre, not only in its low impact cultivation but in its qualities as a wearable fabric.

So why undermine these qualities by 45%.

This is due to the following factors:

• supply/demand and cost - hemp clothing is still re-emerging from its associated banishment with its close cousin marijuana. Many countries are still in regulatory processes. This has affected the supply and the industry growth contributing to the supply and therefore the cost of good quality hemp. We choose to not to wait for supply and contribute to the demand.

• comfort and processing - some manufacturers blend with other fibres to soften hemp. For hemp is known to be stiff and coarse however this is changing rapidly with developing milling and processing techniques and technology. The hemp we use is soft and comfortable and will grow softer as it ages, whilst still maintaining its durability and strength.

I chose to make a 100% hemp work shirt because a good locally made product as a service to people who work with their bodies and hands all day needs integrity and cannot afford the compromise of blending a weaker less sustainable fibre. This has made it slightly more difficult to source and raises the overall cost of the product but it maintains an integrity that is rare in the modern fast fashion climate.

100% hemp gives you a 100% of the hemp qualities and benefits:

1. Sustainability

2. Biodegradability

3. Durability and Strength

4. Resistance to Mold and UV Light

5. Breathability

6. Hypoallergenic

7. Antibacterial Properties

8. Low Chemical Use

9. Soil Enrichment

10. Versatility

11. Local Production

12. Regenerative Agriculture

13. Reduction of Water Usage

14. Carbon Sequestration

see journal entry, ‘the power of the yarn: benefits of hemp’, for more.

Australian made

When I first started this project, I went to the haberdashery in Ballina and asked, ‘how can I make a work shirt out of hemp?’. They instantly responded with, ‘go overseas’, until a lady called Joellete, who was out the back said, ‘I’ll make it for you’.

From an economic perspective with competing labour costs, Australian made barely makes sense.

Expensive labour equals expensive shirts and we are in a practice of consuming clothing cheaply and at breakneck speeds that has made the fashion industry the third largest contributor to pollution in the world.

Our ability to produce Australian grown, milled and made clothing in Australia has largely diminished due to globalised trade and labour.

In our region of the Northern Rivers we are onto our last machinist mechanic and our dedicated cutter lost his workshop and tools in a landslide during the floods.

Although we do small batches of shirts at hg maker, we make locally in order to help sustain and grow our making ecosystem.

Closing the loop

hg maker is an experiment.

Can we close the loop of regenerative sustainability in fashion?

Can we create a work shirt that has integrity? Remembering that every business once started as a service to the community. Can we use this project to create the change we wish to see in the world?

hg maker’s focus has evolved with the making of the strongest work shirt to innovating a small local system of production that aligns with our values.

We make a shirt that is invested in for its integrity, that you will see people look after and wear until their dying days before passing it down through the family.

We support Australian trades that service the community whilst sustaining a healthy ecosystem, socially, environmentally and economically.

We see a society of humans in reverence to the ineffable intelligence and wisdom of nature, that are inspired to respect our natural home and grow a loving relationship with her and our neighbouring beings.

hg maker is an experiment with an open ended future and a focus upon a relationship with the process.