Burlap, also known as gunny, is a natural woven fabric normally made of sisal, jute or gunny plant fibers, which can be combined with other plant fibers to create thread, nets, and other similar products. Like jute, burlap is derived from the plant Solanaceae, although it is not the same as jute. Hessian, burlap from the United States and Canada or crocosia in Jamaica, is an unrefined, natural woven fabric, sometimes containing animal (such as goat's hair) hair. Gunny is similar in structure and texture to burlap, but lacks the slight sheen of its cousin.

Like jute and sisal, gunny blends are commonly used in ghillie suits, camouflage and even as natural fiber for decorative items such as throw rugs and pottery. Burlap fabrics have a very unique woven quality that cannot be duplicated using synthetic fibers. Because burlap fabric is made of natural plant materials, each fiber has a distinctive grain shape, resulting in a unique texture. Because of this, burlap fabric is used in a wide range of applications, including linoleum, sails, carpeting, and sailboats. As a natural fiber, burlap has superior fire and water resistance properties than most man-made fibers. These properties make it ideal for high impact applications including flooring applications, tents, marine applications, and applications where the color, pattern or texture need to contrast with the background.

Burlap fabric is also popularly used in the construction of ghillie suits and other camouflage or silhouette applications. These suits are typically worn for surveillance or military activities. The material is light weight, highly breathable and durable. In addition, these natural fibers are hypoallergenic and do not irritate the skin. For these reasons burlap is frequently used in DIY projects around the home. From pillow cases to throw rugs and even diy projects such as ghillie suits, the use of burlap creates a unique texture yet practical in use around the home.

Burlap fiber is primarily created from the stems and leaves of woody plants. The fibers are loosely woven together and have a natural woven look. This burlap fabric is different from synthetic fibers, which are created through the application of man-made chemicals. The natural attributes of burlap fabric make it ideal for crafting home decor accessories, uniforms and coats. Moreover, burlap can be dyed to create many different colors.

If you are interested in starting a DIY project, one easy way to incorporate burlap fabric into your project is as an alternative to traditional rope or twine bags. Using a strong yet lightweight bag will provide a lighter weight option for storing items in the home. To create these bags, simply take a square of old towels or garment and rip the corners. The resulting strips will then be used to create the required dimensions and design of the bags.

Another use for burlap fabric is to create eco-friendly trash bags. These bags can be reused after they are finished to create even more biodegradable bags. The resulting bags are highly functional and eco-friendly. In fact, using these bags in place of typical trash bags is enough to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint we all leave behind.