burlap n : coarse jute fabric [syn: gunny]

English

Noun

1. A very strong, coarse cloth, made from jute, flax or hemp, and used to make sacks etc

See also

• sackcloth

Burlap (chiefly US) or (more commonly elsewhere) Hessian cloth, is a coarse woven fabric usually made from jute or hemp and allied vegetable fibers.

The name 'burlap' appears to be of unknown origin. The name 'hessian' is attributed to the use of the fabric, initially, as part of the uniform of soldiers from the German state of Hessen.

Uses

Burlap/Hessian is often used to make sacks and bags to ship goods like coffee beans. It is breathable and thus resists condensation and associated spoilage of the contents. It is also durable enough to withstand rough handling in transit, these properties have also lead to its use for temporary protection of setting cement and concrete by the construction industry.

Due to its coarse texture, it is not commonly used in modern apparel. However this roughness gave it a use in a religious context, for self-mortification, where individuals may wear an abrasive shirt called a cilice or 'hairshirt' and the wearing of 'sackcloth' on Ash Wednesday and owing to its durability, Ghillie suits are often made of burlap.

As Hessian, it has been used by fine artists as an alternative to canvas as a stretched painting surface.

See also

• Sackcloth and ashes

References