A loose coil of pale straw-coloured okra fibre, flat ribbons splitting into fine strands with woody fragments still attached.
  • A small heap of short, splintered fibre in pale cream, the strips flat and frayed with woody fragments among them.
  • A close view of long fibre strands coiled into a loop, smooth and silky pale gold, with a dried woody stem section caught in the middle.
  • A single loop of the fibre lying alone, thin and pale, twisted into a small open circle.

Okra fiber is a plant fiber from the stems of the okra plant, processed into flexible strands. This sample, harvested in Western North Carolina after a frost, underwent fermentation, with the outer layer rinsed off and bast fibers removed from the woody core before drying.

Composition

Okra fiber

Handling Notes

  • Used to make pulp for paper and textiles
  • After harvesting, strip the bast from the core by retting, which breaks down pectins for easier separation
  • Rinse thoroughly to eliminate the strong smell of fermented fiber

Applications in Craft

Keywords

Provenance

Alyssa Sacora, The Patchwork Underground, Fairview, North Carolina. Acquired 2024.

In Use

Have you used this material?

Please contact Mellanee Goodman, Program Director, Curator, and Materials Specialist, to start a conversation about submitting your work for inclusion on this site.

mgoodman@centerforcraft.org