What is Pineapple Fabric and How is it Made?
Pineapple is a fruit beloved by most people because of its sweet juiciness, nutritional value, and medicinal properties. People put pineapples in their salads, drinks, ice cream, and even on top of pizza, but its uses don’t stop there. It is also put into fabric, that’s right, pineapples are also beloved for being a natural breathable fiber! This fiber comes from the Spanish Red Pineapple leaves, grown in the Philippines and other nearby countries. The leaves are taken and discarded from its hard outer layer, leaving a shiny smooth ivory fiber which is combed and spun into yarn. After this process, the fiber can be woven or knitted into fabric called Piña.
Uses
Piña Fabric is soft, strong, and durable. In the Philippines, traditional wedding gowns, hanker chiefs, clothing and household items are made from this fabric. Sometimes, pina is mixed with other antique fabrics, like linen, cotton, and silk. For example, when piña is mixed with silk, the fabric is called piña-seda. Also, there are different methods used to make piña slightly different by itself. Some Manufactures use more traditional techniques, called abaca, while others use modern techniques resulting in different textures and forms. One example, is a leather called Piñatex, companies like Puma and Camper are experimenting with this “new leather.” They are looking for more eco-friendly sustainable fabrics that look and feel good for their customers and piña fits that need.
Benefits
In conclusion, artisans and companies from the Philippines, Thailand, Costa Rica and from all over the world are producing pineapple fabric. Because of its many benefits it is becoming a sought-out fabric. It is breathable, sustainable, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, environment friendly and has many more benefits. Piña Fabric can get costly though, ranging from $20-$50 per yard and one garment can cost anywhere from $50 to $1000+. So, shop wisely and compare with different online and local stores. I’ve listed some websites I’ve found that sell Piña Fabric or various items made from Piña. To wash the fabric, it is recommended to either hand wash or put on gentle cycle. Overall, Piña Fabric is a unique and rare fabric that is treasured and will last throughout generations.
Where to buy Piña Fabric?