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Hessian/Burlap Fabric
by the yard

Burlap fabric by the yard is a coarse, open-weave textile traditionally made from jute fibers, prized for its rugged texture and natural, rustic appearance. Typically weighing between 250gsm and 450gsm, burlap is strong and breathable, making it suitable for agricultural sacks, upholstery backing, and decorative uses that benefit from a raw, tactile look. Its porous structure accepts dye, paint, and finishes well, allowing makers to adapt it for both functional and aesthetic projects.

  • Fabric Content/Material: 100% Jute, Jute–Cotton Blends, or Jute–Polyester Blends
  • Fabric Application: Sacks and Bags, Upholstery Backing, Table Runners, Wall Hangings, Planter Wraps, Rustic Décor, and Craft Projects
  • Color: Natural Brown, Dark Brown, Washed Beige, Dyed Rustic Colors, Charcoal, and Natural White

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What Makes Burlap Fabric So Versatile

Naturally Coarse Texture Built for Hard Work

Hessian burlap is woven from jute fibers, producing a distinctly open, coarse fabric structure that holds its shape under tension and heavy loads. This makes it the go-to material for agricultural sacks, produce bags, and industrial packaging where breathability and strength are non-negotiable. Our burlap ranges from 250gsm for lighter craft applications up to 450gsm for structural uses like upholstery backing and heavy-duty sacking.

Rustic Aesthetic Perfect for Décor and Crafts

Few materials deliver the earthy, farmhouse aesthetic that burlap brings to weddings, seasonal displays, and handmade home accessories. Whether you're covering table runners, wrapping floral arrangements, or constructing rustic wall art, burlap's natural brown tones and open weave add unmistakable warmth. For craft projects that call for a variety of textures, pairing burlap with craft fabric alternatives lets you build layered, tactile designs with real visual depth. You can also explore cushion fabric options when burlap forms the base layer of a decorative pillow project.

A Sustainable, Biodegradable Natural Fiber Choice

Jute — the plant fiber behind burlap — is one of the most sustainable crops grown today, requiring minimal water and no synthetic pesticides to cultivate. Burlap fabric is fully biodegradable and compostable at end of life, making it a responsible choice for eco-conscious buyers and businesses. If your sourcing priorities lean toward natural fibers, you may also want to explore linen fabric, another plant-based option with a finer hand feel, or cotton fabric for softer, more versatile natural fiber applications.

Stacked rolls of brown and green jute burlap draped over a wooden workbench in a bright studio.

Wholesale Burlap Fabric Priced for Volume Buyers

At Global Fabric Wholesale, our hessian burlap fabric is available by the yard with competitive per-yard pricing that scales as your order grows — making it ideal for event planners, retailers, craft businesses, and agricultural suppliers who need consistent quality in quantity. Our jute burlap is sourced from trusted mills and inspected for uniform weave density and weight tolerance, so you get predictable results across every yard of your order. Available in natural undyed browns as well as a curated range of dyed rustic tones, our burlap selection covers everything from raw industrial applications to refined farmhouse décor. For projects that call for a sturdier interfacing layer, our buckram fabric is worth considering alongside burlap as a complementary structural material. If you're building a complete range of natural-look textiles, our bag fabric collection offers additional options that pair beautifully with burlap in tote and packaging designs.

Sunlight illuminates a wooden table with rolls of golden burlap, vintage shears, and a wildflower centerpiece in a workshop.

From Sacks to Décor: Burlap's Many Applications

Hessian burlap has one of the broadest application ranges of any natural fabric, moving seamlessly from utilitarian industrial use to high-demand craft and décor markets. In agriculture and logistics, it remains the trusted standard for grain sacks, coffee bean bags, and produce storage thanks to its breathability and strength. In the events and wedding industry, it's equally at home as table runner material, chair sash fabric, or the base layer for rustic centerpieces and floral installations. Its compatibility with buffalo check fabric accents and other farmhouse-style textiles makes it a natural fit for coordinated rustic event styling.

For upholstery professionals, burlap serves as a reliable backing and webbing material in traditional furniture construction, providing a firm base layer beneath padding and top fabrics. DIY crafters and small-batch makers rely on it for everything from reusable tote bags and wall hangings to herb garden planters and seasonal wreaths. Because burlap is so easy to cut, stamp, paint, and stitch, it's a staple in any maker's studio. Browse our full range of weights and colors to find the right burlap for your next production run or creative project — and explore our curtain fabric range if you're working on rustic interior window treatments that pair with natural fiber aesthetics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hessian and burlap fabric?
Hessian and burlap are two names for the same woven jute fabric — 'hessian' is the term commonly used in the UK, Australia, and Europe, while 'burlap' is the standard term in North America. Both refer to a plain-weave cloth made from jute plant fibers, characterized by its open weave, coarse texture, and natural tan-brown coloring. The material properties, weight ranges, and applications are identical regardless of which name is used.
What GSM weight of burlap should I choose for my project?
Lighter burlap in the 250–300gsm range is best suited for craft projects, table runners, floral wrapping, and decorative applications where drape and ease of cutting matter most. Mid-weight burlap around 320–380gsm works well for bag making, tote construction, and upholstery backing where moderate strength is needed. For heavy-duty sacking, agricultural use, or structural backing applications, opt for our 400–450gsm options, which offer maximum durability and load-bearing capacity.
Does burlap fabric fray easily when cut?
Yes, burlap does fray significantly due to its open, loosely woven structure — this is one of the most important things to plan for when cutting and sewing it. To minimize fraying, use sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter for clean edges, and finish raw edges promptly with a serger, zigzag stitch, or fabric glue. For decorative projects where a frayed edge is part of the rustic look, controlled fraying can actually enhance the aesthetic appeal.
Can burlap fabric be dyed or painted?
Burlap accepts dye well due to its natural jute fiber composition, making it easy to achieve custom colors using fiber-reactive or all-purpose fabric dyes. Fabric paint also adheres to burlap effectively, which is why it's popular for stenciled signs, hand-painted event décor, and personalized craft items. Keep in mind that the open weave may cause some paint bleed-through, so always work on a protected surface and consider using a backing material when painting.
Is burlap suitable for outdoor or garden use?
Burlap is widely used in garden and outdoor applications — including tree wrapping for winter protection, erosion control matting, and seedling covers — because it is breathable, biodegradable, and allows moisture to pass through. However, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and constant moisture will cause jute fibers to degrade and eventually break down, which is actually desirable in composting or erosion-control contexts. For longer-lasting outdoor décor, we recommend treating burlap with a weatherproofing spray or replacing it seasonally.