Hessian is a natural fabric commonly made from the fibres of the jute plant which is a tall herb found growing in tropical climates. It is a highly versatile natural fabric which is enjoying a revival with the trend towards rustic, natural looking interiors and event themes. At Fabrics Galore London we stock a basic hessian and luxury hessian material sold by the half metre which should cover most needs.
What is Hessian Fabric?
Hessian is a coarse, plain weave, loosely woven cloth made from natural fibres, usually from the skin or outer bark of the jute plant, although it is sometimes made from sisal leaves and blended with other natural fibres like cotton or hemp.
Features of Hessian
- loose, irregular weave
- coarse texture
- breathable
- biodegradable
Hessian, Jute and Burlap are often used interchangeably although they are not necessarily the same thing as we explain below:
Hessian v Burlap
Burlap is the common term used for hessian fabric in the USA and refers to the same coarse, heavy, plain weave fabric, typically made with jute, sisal or hemp fibres.
Hessian v Jute
Hessian is the fabric, which is woven from jute fibres, whereas jute refers to the raw fibres harvested from the plant. It is worth noting that when jute is used to make a rug or carpet it is often called a jute rug which is typically a thickly woven, braided or knotted floor covering which is highly decorative and softer than the coarse texture of hessian.
Hessian Uses in Interior Décor
While commonly used as an upholstery filling cover, hessian is also perfect for creating a natural, rustic looking interior décor and is a cost-effective alternative to fabrics like raw linen.
Upholstery: Hessian was traditionally used in upholstery as a base layer over webbing to support stuffing, and to hold loose fillings such as coir or horsehair in place in stuffed seats.
Cushions: hessian makes lovely rustic cushion covers for a natural interior look. These can range from casual cushions made from disused hessian coffee bean sacks to beautifully woven luxury hessian cushions sold by high end retailers.
Table runners, Placemats and Kitchen use: hessian table runners and placemats are extremely popular for weddings, Christmas tables and parties. Hessian fabric is completely biodegradable so it’s perfect for eco-conscious people wanting a natural look and feel for their event.
Lampshades, storage baskets and wall hangings: hessian works well for a neutral décor where natural textiles are preferred. From lampshades to storage baskets, hessian also makes for beautiful wall hangings.
Uses of Hessian in Crafts
Hessian is widely used in Christmas crafting as it pairs particularly well with the traditional red, green and white colours of the festive season. Our blog on Christmas home decor themes illustrates how well hessian pairs with gingham, tartan and ticking stripe.
- Christmas stockings, Santa sacks and gift bags.
- Festive Wreaths: hessian wound round the foliage creates a lovely door wreath.
- Hessian bags and tote bags: hessian works for all kinds of bags.
- Bunting and Banners: for a country and western themed event, hessian bunting provides the perfect rustic vibe.
Hessian for Weddings and Events
Hessian is widely used at weddings where the trend has moved away from highly polished tablescaping to more natural looking wedding decorations. Hessian can be used at weddings and parties in rustic barn, woodland or even beach wedding settings for:
- Table runners
- Jar wraps
- Chair sashes and bows
- Banners
- Signage backdrops
Hessian looks beautiful paired with lace for wedding decorations. Check out the wedding of my dreams blog for hessian and lace ideas.
Hessian in the Garden and Outdoors
Hessian is highly useful in the garden for protecting plants against frost and many gardeners use hessian to wrap plants in outside pots as well as the root balls of plants in garden beds.
Hessian is also widely used to line hanging baskets and planters or to cover compost. Completely biodegradable, it breaks down naturally over time.
Hessian is used in heavy duty applications such as storage for coffee beans or logs and for sandbags used in flood defence.
One of the most fun applications for hessian is for the traditional children’s sack races at school sports days.
Basic v Luxury Hessian: which should you choose?
Buy a basic hessian for plant protection and upholstery filling where the hessian itself will be concealed or is not intended for decorative use.
Buy a luxury premium hessian for interior decor items like lampshades, cushion covers and blinds and for events like weddings where the hessian is displayed and integral to the event theme.
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Type of Hessian Fabric :
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Fibre
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Weight
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Width
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Weave
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Best for:
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Basic Hessian
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100% Jute
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10 oz or 340gsm
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100cm
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Plain loose weave
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Upholstery filling
Garden use
Crafts
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Luxury Hessian
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100% Jute
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280gsm
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137cm
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Plain compact weave
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Interior decor
Event decor
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Tips for Sewing with Hessian
- Hessian frays heavily so either use an overlocker or zigzag stitch to finish edges. For basic uses where the finish is less important you can also use pinking shears.
- Use a large or heavy needle such as a denim or topstitch needle size 90/14 to 100/16 if you are machine sewing. Use a bigger size if you are sewing multiple layers of hessian. If hand sewing, use an upholstery or carpet needle sometimes called a coarse stitch needle.
- Increase your stitch length when sewing with hessian.
- Hessian is known for shedding fibres so handle gently and consider practicing with a hessian swatch before you begin.
- If using hessian for bags or cushions, a lining such as calico is ideal.
- As it is a natural fibre, hessian can be dyed, painted or stencilled, great for event signs and Christmas decorations.
Hessian FAQs
- Is Hessian Eco-friendly?
Yes, it is 100% biodegradable if it is made from natural plant-based fibres like jute and cotton. Be aware that some dyed hessian fabrics may not have used natural dyes.
- Is hessian waterproof?
No, hessian is not waterproof although it can hold water which is easily absorbed by the jute fibres. Even though it is not waterproof, it can still provide plant frost protection as it allows the moisture to evaporate through the loose, open weave.
- Can you wash Hessian?
Dry cleaning hessian is recommended to prevent shrinking and fraying.
You may be able to use a cool gentle hand-wash on hessian items which are used for storage and plant wrapping. Never tumble dry hessian.
Always dry clean interior décor items made from hessian.
- Does hessian fray?
Yes, so finish edges carefully using an overlocker or zig-zag stitch to prevent fraying.
- Is hessian the same as burlap?
Yes, burlap is the American name for hessian.
- Is hessian itchy or scratchy?
Yes, a basic hessian will feel coarse against the skin which is why it is better to use a premium hessian with a tighter weave for items like cushion covers, although it will still have a certain level of texture.
Buying Hessian Fabric Online
Choose your hessian fabric according to its intended use and if your project is not covered above, feel free to contact our friendly knowledgeable team at our fabric shop in London. They will be able to advise whether you need a basic hessian or luxury hessian.
Authored by: Annabelle Rigg, Online and Store Manager at Fabrics Galore London
Reviewed by: Paul Johnston, Owner and Founder of Fabrics Galore London since 1992
Feature Image: Hannah Busing on Unsplash
