Ramie

Dara McAllister
What is Ramie
• Known as China Grass
• From the Nettle Family
• Found in China & Brazil
• Used Pre-historically before Cotton
History
• Used for over 5,000 years
• Most Common in Japan
• May have Wrapped Mummies
• Translucent Fabric called Mosi
How is it Made?
• Cultivation
• Harvesting
• Processing
Cultivation

• Good Rainfall & Warm Climate

• Likes Relatively Cold Winters
• Roots Black After 1st Frost
• Found in Botanic Gardens
Where to Find
• Mostly found in China
• Most commonly used in Japan
• Also grown in Brazil
Harvesting

• Ready when Flowers Open

• Stems Change Colors & Fall
• By Machine when Ready
• Can be Harvested 6 times
Processing
• More Difficult to Work
• Held Together by Gummy Resin
• Need to be used Fast
• Usually Chemically Processed & Mixed
What fibers it is Like
• White in color
• Looks like Silk
• Lacks Stretch and Elasticity
• More Absorbent than Cotton
Continued
• Good for Humid Summers
• One of the Strongest Natural Fiber
• Mildew, Bacteria, Rotting, & Light
• Hard to dye; Transfers Color
Disadvantages
• Low elasticity
• Poor Resiliency
• Expensive
• Stiff and Brittle Hand
Uses
• Twine, Rope, and Nets
• Fine Yarn; High Luster
• Very good for Clothing
• Usually Mixed with Others
Products
Works Cited
• American Hat Co Ramie Sisal Vented Straw Hat. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from
http://www.westernbootsales.com/proddetail.asp?prod=American_Hat_Co_Ramie_Sisal_Vented_Straw_Hat
• Ancient Egyptian Mummies. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ancient-egypt-
mummies.html
• A. (n.d.). Dream of money. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from http://animal-dream.com/money.html
• Experiments in yarn dyeing. (2013, July 12). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from
https://fantasyflyte.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/experiments-in-yarn-dyeing/
• How The Weather Affects Fibromyalgia. (2015, January 25). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from http://healingfibro.com/how-the-weather-
effects-fibromyalgia/
• Kadolph, S. J. (2013). Textiles Basics (5th ed.). One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
• Lowest price Authentic Toms Unisex Yellow Blue White Ramie Sole Canvas Shoes UK Sale. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from
http://www.herlumpiness.com/lowest-price-authentic-toms-unisex-yellow-blue-white-ramie-sole-canvas-shoes-uk-sale-p-1925.html
• Pfaf Plant Search. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Boehmeria%2Bnivea
• Premium Ramie / Cotton Blend Canvas Gloves - Large - 12/Pack. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/premium-ramie-cotton-blend-canvas-gloves-large-12-pack/3942000RW.html
• Ramie Cotton Blend Jersey Fabric. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from
http://wxmljcs.en.ec21.com/Ramie_Cotton_Blend_Jersey_Fabric--2672586_2678754.html
• Ramie or Chinese Nettle fibre. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from http://www.wildfibres.co.uk/html/ramie.html
• Ramie Rope tight on bamboo stick | Stock Photo. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from https://www.colourbox.com/image/ramie-
rope-tight-on-bamboo-stick-image-6781755
• Soapania — Facial Pad - Ramie. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from http://www.soapania.com/products/facial-pad-ramie
• State Library and Archives of Florida. (n.d.). Unidentified employee harvesting Ramie - Belle Glade, Florida. Retrieved January 24, 2017,
from https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/56998
• Thomas, G. (n.d.). Natural fibres. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from http://www.naturalfibres2009.org/en/fibres/ramie.html
• Welcome to the world of Jute and Kenaf - IJSG. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2017, from http://jute.org/ramie.htm