Introduction

• Ramie (pronounced Ray-me) is one of the oldest vegetable fibres
• The fibres are found in the bark of the stalk.
• It has heart-shaped leaves that are silvery on the underside, due to many small hairs
• Ramie is classified chemically as a cellulose fibre
• Naturally white and glossy, fabrics made from ramie fibres have a beautiful, lustrous appearance.
• Ramie has been used for thousands of years.
• Ramie has been tested to be up to 5 times stronger than cotton and twice as strong as flax

History

• Native to Southeast Asia, the plant from which ramie fibre, also known as’ China grass’, is derived is a member of the nettle family
• Ramie (pronounced Ray-me) is one of the oldest vegetable fibres and has been used for thousands of years.
• Ramie was used in ‘mummy cloths in Egypt between 5000 to 3000 BC
• It was used for Chinese burial shrouds over 2,000 years ago, long before cotton was introduced in the Far East.
• The process of transforming ramie fibre into fabric is similar to manufacturing linen from flax.
• Ramie can sustain up to six harvests per year.
• Ramie requires chemical processing to de-gum the fibre.
• Until recently ramie has been unknown in the ready-to-wear market, but it is now appearing in more garments.
• Ramie usage increased in the mid-1980s with a fashion emphasis on natural fibres

Properties

• Resistant to bacteria, mildew, and insect attack.
• Extremely absorbent
• Dyes fairly easy
• Increases in strength when wet
• Withstands high water temperatures during laundering
• Smooth lustrous appearance improves with washing
• Keeps its shape and does not shrink
• Can be bleached

Disadvantages

• Low in elasticity.
• Lacks resiliency.
• Low abrasion resistance.
• Wrinkles easily.
• Stiff and brittle.