Hessians and Burlaps

Hessian is a type of natural coarse cloth. It is derived from the jute plant and derives from the Sanskrit word juta meaning matted hair. The plant fibres undergo a variety of processes such as retting softening carding and rolling before weaving. The jute does not bleach well but can be dyed. Hessian tends to be used as the term for this type of cloth in the UK whereras it is more commonly called burlap in America.