Fab Fabrics: Burlap

Whether you use a vintage feed bag or find it new by the yard, burlap is an excellent eco-friendly fabric option!

Burlap fabric is often made from jute, an exceptional plant. Here’s some information about jute and a few burlap project ideas!

Unlike conventional cotton, jute requires very few pesticides to grow. Many of the pesticides associated with growing conventional cotton are labeled as category I or type II toxins by the EPA. Those harsh chemicals aren’t healthy for the workers or for the water and wildlife near cotton plantations. The residue on the fabric isn’t so hot for you when you’re working with it, either.

Like hemp and bamboo, jute is great at absorbing CO2 and improves the soil where it’s growing. It grows fast, and burlap made from jute is fully biodegradable!

Ready to do some burlap crafting? Here are a few ideas to get you going!

• Here’s a great tutorial on making a graphic bulletin board out of a burlap sack.
• I just love this simple burlap bunting over at Maya*Made.
• Burlap is very sturdy, which is why it’s used for heavy things like coffee and rice. It’s perfect for stitching up a super-strong grocery tote!
• These sweet little burlap flowers would make a great addition to any gift.

I bet I’m just scratching the surface of great burlap craft projects! Do you have any that you like? We’d love to hear about them in the comments!

[Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by deapeajay]