A renaissance for one of the earth’s most versatile natural fabrics, cultivated in China 5000 years ago, is about to transform the place we spend about 30% of our lives – the bed. Whether we go to bed for love, lust or just a good rest, the time we spend there deserves an investment in the beauty and comfort of bedlinen made from hemp.

Its history as the fabric for the first pair of Levi jeans, the first American flag and ninety percent of all ships’ sails from the 5th century BC until the late 19th century is testament to its strength and resistance to weathering. Moreover, the paintings of Van Gogh, Gainsborough, Rembrandt and others were primarily painted on hemp canvas. Such ‘coarse’ credentials make it an unlikely bedfellow but today’s skills at spinning and weaving in Italy have produced a luxurious temptress of a fabric.

Farmers and processors have described hemp to me as an environmentally beneficial natural fibre. It is a high-yield crop, naturally resistant to insects, requiring no pesticides and its large leaves and fast growth make herbicides superfluous. For some years I have been concerned at the quantities of water required to grow cotton (even organic cotton) and was delighted to find that hemp requires less water than either cotton or linen while growing.

Its hollow fibres give it superb thermostatic qualities keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter and its breathability and excellent moisture wicking qualities have made it the fabric of choice for one UK manufacturer of nappies! In the field, it has excellent anti mildew and anti microbial properties.

Industrial hemp is not a drug, but a non-psychoactive variety of Cannabis. Industry standards require levels of THC to be lower than 0.2%, compared to anything up to 15% in its smoking-variety cousin, marijuana. So forget it! Hemp sheets are not going to provide you with a ‘bedtime smoke’.

Hemp will soften with every wash and will nurture you through the night with qualities that should ensure it will become the thinking persons choice of bedlinen.

Hemp doesn’t wear out, it wears in! I hope you enjoy my first tiny collection.

Read about how to take care of your hemp bed linen here.

We would be happy for you to sample some hemp so that you can tell the difference for yourself. If you would like a free sample please send a SAE to me:

Jilly Cholmondeley,
Flat 3
11 Airlie Gardens
London W8 7AL
UK.

Click here to email Jilly for a sample. Please include the mailing address you would like your sample sending to.