Hessian Fabric

Because of its incredible strength and coarse texture, hessian is used across multiple industries. In home crafting, it is widely used for rustic decorations, table runners, and tote bags. In traditional upholstery, it is stretched over furniture frames to cover springs. In gardening and agriculture, it is used to protect root balls during transport and to shield delicate plants from winter frost.

There is no difference in the material itself! “Jute” is the name of the tall, grass-like plant that is harvested and spun into coarse, strong vegetable fibres. “Hessian” (also known as burlap in North America) is simply the name of the woven fabric that is created using those jute fibres.

The name “hessian” has a fascinating historical origin. It derives from the German state of Hesse. During the American Revolutionary War, soldiers from Hesse (known as Hessians) wore coarse, woven uniforms made from this durable vegetable fibre, and the fabric eventually adopted their name in the UK and Europe.

No, natural hessian fabric is not waterproof. In fact, it is highly absorbent and incredibly breathable. This loose, open weave allows air and moisture to pass through it freely, which is exactly why it is so highly valued in gardening and agriculture for wrapping plants without causing them to rot or suffocate.