About
The Braintree Hemp Environmental Clothing range includes essential casual basics as well as classic cuts and linen look finishes. Our products create a versatile, comfortable, durable and fashionable range of garments perfect for everyday wear. We base our manufacturing In China and with the supplies available have been able to develop a huge variety of fabrics including: pure hemp, hemp cotton, hemp rayon, bamboo cotton and more.
Starting in Sydney, Australia in 1995, we began wholesaling, designing, importing, manufacturing and retailing clothing made from hemp, bamboo, soy, organic cotton and rayon, under the Braintree Hemp brand. There are many benefits in using hemp clothing and we want to share these benefits with you.
The Braintree Hemp range is currently sold through hundreds of clothing retailers around Australia, large and small. The range produced features clothing for both for men and women.
Recently there has been a significant increase in the appreciation of hemp and other environmentally friendly clothing. Public awareness of hemp and its qualities has grown dramatically due to the worldwide marketing effort that has taken place in recent times and we’re proud to be a part of this movement.
We are determined to continue marketing hemp clothing as a superior fashion alternative focusing on environmental advantages, quality and comfort as the core benefits of the range.
What is Hemp?
A variety of Cannabis sativa L, hemp is a dioecious plant, which means it can be separated into male and female plants. These plants have served a wide variety of purposes for more than 10,000 years: for fiber (from the plant’s stems), protein (from seeds), and oils and smokable portions (from the leaves and flowers). Hemp fiber can be used to make items including paper, clothing, furnishing fabric, rope, and building materials.
Hemp Farming Is Sustainable
Hemp is unusually hardy, and is more resistant than most crops to both pests and disease. In fact, part of the reason that hemp garners so much excitement among conservationists is because of its natural resilience. This natural advantage allows many farmers around the world to successfully cultivate agricultural hemp without ever subjecting it to unwanted pesticides and chemicals.
Why Hemp?
Strong – Clothing made of hemp fiber is lightweight and absorbent, with three times the tensile strength of cotton.
Weather Resistant. UV and mold-resistant, hemp is excellent for outdoor wear.
Versatile – Hemp can be blended with other fibers for different qualities in the garment.
Hypoallergenic and non-irritating to the skin
In fact, hemp is one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics currently available. The plant is very naturally resistant to pests and growth requires little water. Hemp fabric is known for aging well; the more you wear it, the softer it becomes.
Our Process
At Braintree we’re proud to use bamboo and hemp, two of the most environmentally friendly materials on our planet.
Here we’ll go through with you our process of bamboo and hemp production, from growth and harvesting, right until the time they’re ready for shipping to your front door.
1. Growth and harvest
Hemp and bamboo grow in a variety of conditions and climates, and once they reach a certain height are picked and harvested. Hemp is picked around 8-12 weeks, bamboo 10-14 weeks.
2. Sun drying
The stalks are then put under the sun for 15-20 days (depending on climate), which removes the pectin that binds them together. This frees the fibers.
3. Degumming
After being washed and dried out, these stalks are then boiled to free them from all the gummy substances, leaving the fibers behind.
4. Fiber brushing
These fibers are then brushed to select for different quality in hemp. Level 1 for 100% hemp clothing, level 2 for blending with other materials to make clothing, and level 3 for a hemp mat or similar.
5. Fibers to yarn
The fibers are then spun into yarn at a processing plant.
6. Yarn woven to fabric
This yarn is sent to another processing plant, to be woven into the very fabric that makes your clothes.
7. Fabric natural dyeing
Natural dyes are then placed into the fabric.
8. Making the garment
This dyed yarn is then sent to the factory to produce the clothing that you wear. These factories are all clean and have good working conditions.
9. Garment wash
Each garment is then washed.
10. Garment ironing and packing
After rigorous testing for fabric quality, garments are then ironed and packaged, ready to be sent off for you to wear.