Materials in detail: Camira

We often enjoy learning about new products launches, focused on the final product, without really considering the materials they are manufactured from. We spoke to Camira to delve into the detail behind the materials they use to produce their innovative fabrics, including their latest fabric, Patina, launching Monday 30th January.

Camira explained that bast fibres are fibres that are found in the outer part of the stem of the plant, just inside the bark. This makes them strong, elastic and flexible, ideal characteristics for spinning into yarn and weaving into fabric. Camira began their bast fibre journey in 2005 and are pioneering designers and manufacturers of bast fibre fabrics, made from innovative blends of pure new wool combined with naturally occurring hemp, flax and jute, textile fibres derived from harvested nettles.

Camira-Flax-field-2

Once bast fibres are cut and harvested, they are allowed to rot – or ‘RETT’ naturally. The outer husk is removed and the inner flax fibre is kept. The fibre is then processed through a series of carding, at which stage it can be blended with other compositions. The final stage is spinning it into yarn to the desired count or thickness for its end use.

Flax has been used in Camira’s newest bast fibre fabric, Patina which is based on an intimate blend of wool and flax. This balances composition with construction and beauty with performance and marks the ongoing evolution of their bast fibre family. A symbol of purity, wild flax has been used in textiles for thousands of years thanks to its strong, long and smooth fibres found inside the stem of the plant and in-built performance characteristics. The wool and flax blend creates an inherently flame retardant high performing fabric that achieves the criteria for heavy duty performance.

Camira-Flax-yarn

There’s an interesting contrast between the delicate, flimsy stems of the flax plants in the fields to when they are spun into fibre. They are really strong as flax has many of the same properties as hemp which is used to make ropes.

Camira-Patina

Patina is the epitome of designing with nature with its white flecks, created by the flax content, scattering across the surface of the fabric just as the flowers would appear in the fields from which it is grown.

Camira-Habitat-styled

We are always interested to learn more about the materials used to create design excellence. Let us know what materials you use in the comments below or on our social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

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About Alys Bryan

Alys is a knowledgeable design editor who is focused on instigating conversations, both online and in-person, with industry experts which challenge, educate and advance the commercial interior sector. Her training and 15 years of professional experience as a furniture designer for the commercial sector makes her uniquely placed to lead Design Insider as Editor
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