All About Cotton Fabrics

In many of our customized products, customers are free to choose raw materials. And cotton is one of our most common and popular raw materials. If you are at a loss when choosing raw materials, or if you want to learn more about cotton, the following information may be helpful.

Definition

We often mention cotton as a natural material in our articles, which is not without reason. Cotton is a natural cellulose fiber, which comes from cotton plants. Cotton fiber comes from cotton boll-the white puffball.

Cotton species

The types of cotton are divided according to the length of the cotton fibers. These differences in length seem small, but they have a great impact on the quality, strength, and softness of cotton products.

Short staple cotton

Short staple cotton has a single fiber length of 11/8″. This type of cotton fiber is soft, strong, and low maintenance, so it is mainly used to make jeans and facecloth clothing, etc.

Long staple cotton

Cotton with a single fiber length of 1 1/4″ is called long-staple cotton. This type of cotton is a popular choice for making bed sheets, towels, and other quality products. Also, by spinning and weaving, its cotton surface is smooth and soft.

Extra long staple cotton

Cotton with 2″ cotton fibers is known as extra-long staple cotton. Fabrics made from this type of cotton are less abrasive, less pilling, and less wrinkling than those made from short-staple cotton.

The process of turning cotton into cotton fabrics

Preparation

After the boll has been picked, it has to go through a ginning process to remove the seeds, burrs, stems, and leaves from the cotton.

Carding process

Although it is cleaned by the gin, it is not as clean as it needs to be. So this cotton is fed back into the carding machine. The carding machine completes the cleaning and straightening of the fibers, making them into soft, untwisted slivers.

Spinning process

Spinning is the final process in yarn manufacturing. The spinning equipment takes the fibers from the sliver and spins the fibers in a second twist for 2,500 revolutions to make the yarn.

Weaving process

The loom interweaves the warp and weft yarns at a very high speed to make a fabric from the cotton yarn.

Types of cotton fabrics based on weight

According to the weight, cotton is further divided into light-weight cotton fabrics and medium-weight cotton fabrics.

Lightweight cotton type

Broderie Anglaise

Broderie Anglaise is also known as eyelets. Technically it describes a method of embroidery using white lines around a circular cut in a piece of material. So the term often refers to lace cloth with holes hollowed out and white thread embroidery. It is usually made of pure or mixed cotton. Mainly used for dresses, blouses, and pajamas.

Crinkle cotton

Crinkle is also known as crepon. As the name implies, it is a fabric with cobblestone texture and wrinkles on the surface. This type of cotton is usually pure cotton or blended. It is mainly used for casual shirts, skirts, or dresses.

Gingham

Gingham is a lightweight plain cotton fabric, usually white and another color. This unique fabric pattern is most commonly used in blue and red plaid. This wear-resistant fabric is often used in summer jackets, dresses, aprons, children’s wear, shirts, and tablecloths.

Madras cotton

Madras type of cotton is a kind of light cotton made of mixed colors and patterns. This kind of cotton wrinkles easily and must be washed by hand and pressed in heat. So it is generally used for leisure clothing.

Cotton lawn

Cotton lawn fabric is a fine, high-count yarn made from carded or combed yarns. This fabric is characterized by a butter-like surface texture. It is crisper than voile, but not as crisp as organdie. People use it to make clothes, shirts, or skirts that can be worn in the warmer months.

Muslin

Muslin is an unbleached, lightweight fabric. It is very soft and light because of its long and loose weave. It is often used as test garments, linings, interlinings, or to strain sauces.

Cheesecloth

Cheesecloth is another soft, loose cotton fabric with a plain, rough surface and wrinkled texture. You can easily see the gap between the yarns. It is suitable for shirts, blouses, skirts and so on.

Seersucker

Originating in India, Seersucker has alternating crinkled and smooth stripes. This fabric is lightweight, breathable, and durable, and does not require ironing, making it ideal for warm-weather shirts, shorts, or suits.

Voile

Voile is a light, soft, and very transparent sheer type of fabric. It is often used to make curtains, shirts, dresses, pajamas, or underwear.

Medium weight cotton type

Poplin

This is a plain woven fabric with fine thread texture and subtle luster. It feels smooth and refreshing. It is often used to make button shirts and structured dresses.

Jersey

Jersey refers to all knitted fabrics made by connecting yarns and loops. It is famous for its elasticity and softness, mainly made of cotton and some elastic fibers. As a versatile fabric, jersey can be used in most clothing items, from summer tops to winter bottoms.

Linen-cotton mix

Linen-cotton blended fabric is usually replaced with 50% flax and 50% cotton, which not only retains the appearance and clearance of linen but also is stronger and wrinkle-resistant. Products made of this fabric include skirts, sheets, aprons, jackets, and so

Cotton velvet

The fabric is a kind of fabric with a thick, short, plush pile. The fluff is smooth, creating a soft and luxurious feeling. Products made from it include trousers, hats, cushions, curtains, and so on.

Brushed cotton

Also known as flannelette, brushed cotton is brushed to create a soft, smooth, and excellent touch. This kind of fabric has good air permeability and excellent thermal insulation, which makes them an excellent choice for making children’s pajamas and warm sheets.

Cotton weaves

Sateen

Sateen refers to the use of four over and one under’s satin structure to give the fabric a silky smooth surface. This kind of fabric is famous for its luster and drooping feeling.

Percale

Percale is made of basic cross-weaving. This weave creates a matte effect and a refreshing feel.

Flannel

The unique brushing technology makes the knitted fabric as soft as plush. Comfortable and warm flannel fabric is often used in cold-weather clothing, blankets, sheets, and pajamas.

Twill

The twill weave creates a diagonal or rib pattern by alternating the weft through the bottom and top of several warps. Twill patterns add texture to the fabric and make it more durable.

Property of cotton fibers

• Softness
• Durability
• Absorbency
• Breathability
• Holds dye well

Conclusion

Cotton is a kind of fabric that can be used anywhere. Cotton can be seen in both clothing and furniture decoration. In the above guide, you can have a basic understanding of cotton. If you still have any questions about this, you are welcome to consult our professionals.

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