What is cotton?
Cotton is a natural fiber that comes from the cotton plant and is used to make many different types of fabric. The fiber is hollow in the center and, under the microscope, resembles a twisted ribbon. Cotton fiber is processed into yarn and fabric, the seeds can be crushed for oil or animal feed and the leaves used as mulch. Cotton fiber has been cultivated for 7,000 years, and it seems to increase in popularity as modern technology blends it with other fibers and gives it special performance finishes. Cotton can be knit or woven into cloth. The two most common weaves for cotton are the plain and twill weave. A plain weave produces fabrics like gingham, percale,chambray and broadcloth. A twill weave is more durable and is found in denim, khaki and gabardine. Satin weave is less common with cotton fibers because it's a little dressier, but it is found in high-sheen cottons like sateen.
Fabric Characteristics
Cotton fabric is popular because it's easy to care for and comfortable year-round. In hot, humid weather, cotton "breathes." As the body perspires, cotton fibers absorb the moisture and release it on the surface of the fabric, so it evaporates. In cold weather, if the fabric remains dry, the fibers retain body heat, especially napped fabrics. Cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to dye, making it very popular with fashion and homeware designers.
Cotton care is easy and convenient as it can be laundered or dry-cleaned. Cotton can withstand high water temperature so it can be sterilized by boiling. It was often used as baby nappies before disposable diapers were affordable enough to use on a daily basis. Cotton creases and shrinks easily so it is often combined with other fibers and permanent fabric finishes to help reduce the wrinkles and shrinkage. Durable press or permanent press treatment eliminates the creasing and need to iron. It allows clothes to retain pleats and specific creases during normal usage, washing or dry cleaning. Although there are many types of fabrics made from cotton blends, consumers prefer the comfort of 100% cotton.
Laundering & Care
Cotton items are usually laundered in the washing machine. Cotton garments should be frequently washed as they tend to absorb moisture and pick up dirt. White cotton should be washed in hot water, medium colors in warm water and dark colors in cold water. Cotton has the tendency to shrink especially in hot water and fabric that is loosely woven will shrink more than tighter weaves. Garments that have designs embossed or contain lining or shoulder pad should be dry cleaned. Bed linen like quilts & pillowcases that are filled with cotton batting should also be dry cleaned to avoid the batting clumping together.
All these characteristics continue to make cotton the most popular fiber for garments and bed linens. It's versatility, whether alone or blended, outsells all other fibers combined. Current estimates for world production are about 25 million tonnes annually, accounting for 2.5% of the world's arable land. China is the world's largest producer of cotton, but most of this is used domestically. The United States has been the largest exporter for many years followed by India, Brazil, and Australia. One bale of cotton fiber produces 215 pairs of jeans, 249 bed sheets, 409 sport shirts or 313,600 one hundred-dollar bills.
Cotton is a natural fiber that comes from the cotton plant and is used to make many different types of fabric. The fiber is hollow in the center and, under the microscope, resembles a twisted ribbon. Cotton fiber is processed into yarn and fabric, the seeds can be crushed for oil or animal feed and the leaves used as mulch. Cotton fiber has been cultivated for 7,000 years, and it seems to increase in popularity as modern technology blends it with other fibers and gives it special performance finishes. Cotton can be knit or woven into cloth. The two most common weaves for cotton are the plain and twill weave. A plain weave produces fabrics like gingham, percale,chambray and broadcloth. A twill weave is more durable and is found in denim, khaki and gabardine. Satin weave is less common with cotton fibers because it's a little dressier, but it is found in high-sheen cottons like sateen.
Fabric Characteristics
Cotton fabric is popular because it's easy to care for and comfortable year-round. In hot, humid weather, cotton "breathes." As the body perspires, cotton fibers absorb the moisture and release it on the surface of the fabric, so it evaporates. In cold weather, if the fabric remains dry, the fibers retain body heat, especially napped fabrics. Cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to dye, making it very popular with fashion and homeware designers.
Cotton care is easy and convenient as it can be laundered or dry-cleaned. Cotton can withstand high water temperature so it can be sterilized by boiling. It was often used as baby nappies before disposable diapers were affordable enough to use on a daily basis. Cotton creases and shrinks easily so it is often combined with other fibers and permanent fabric finishes to help reduce the wrinkles and shrinkage. Durable press or permanent press treatment eliminates the creasing and need to iron. It allows clothes to retain pleats and specific creases during normal usage, washing or dry cleaning. Although there are many types of fabrics made from cotton blends, consumers prefer the comfort of 100% cotton.
Laundering & Care
Cotton items are usually laundered in the washing machine. Cotton garments should be frequently washed as they tend to absorb moisture and pick up dirt. White cotton should be washed in hot water, medium colors in warm water and dark colors in cold water. Cotton has the tendency to shrink especially in hot water and fabric that is loosely woven will shrink more than tighter weaves. Garments that have designs embossed or contain lining or shoulder pad should be dry cleaned. Bed linen like quilts & pillowcases that are filled with cotton batting should also be dry cleaned to avoid the batting clumping together.
All these characteristics continue to make cotton the most popular fiber for garments and bed linens. It's versatility, whether alone or blended, outsells all other fibers combined. Current estimates for world production are about 25 million tonnes annually, accounting for 2.5% of the world's arable land. China is the world's largest producer of cotton, but most of this is used domestically. The United States has been the largest exporter for many years followed by India, Brazil, and Australia. One bale of cotton fiber produces 215 pairs of jeans, 249 bed sheets, 409 sport shirts or 313,600 one hundred-dollar bills.
About the Author:
Darjeeling Cotton produces 100% cotton bedding. Handcrafted in India by craftsmen, the cotton bedding collection consists of patchwork quilts and hand block print bed linens. For every quilt sold, Darjeeling Cotton will donate US$10 to the Somaly Mam foundation to support the end of modern day slavery.
