Most of the time, cotton fabric is used in the textile industry and many other industries. Do you think it is more special? Yes, it has thousands and thousands of years of history. It has been cultivated and used for textiles since ancient civilizations. It can be used for everything from everyday clothing to big home goods. As it grows in warm climates and uses more water, cotton has more versatility than many other fabrics.
Let’s understand everything about cotton in this cotton dictionary article. If you are a beginner in the textile industry, read this complete article to find out how to speak with your cotton fabric suppliers. Clarify your doubts and get answers to all your questions from this vocabulary.
What is cotton fabric?
Cotton fabric is derived from the fibers of the cotton plant, which are soft and breathable. As the cotton plant matures, its seeds become surrounded by cotton fibers, which are harvested and processed to create fabric.
How cotton grows and becomes fabric
Cotton needs a lot of sunlight, and it grows in warm places. It also needs fertile soil and moderate rainfall or regular watering to grow well.
The cotton plant goes through several stages. Foremost, it starts from a seed and grows leaves, stems, and flowers. After this process, the cotton bolls will be produced. The bolls burst open when the cotton is ready to harvest, usually in late summer or early autumn.
After the harvesting process, the cotton fibers are separated from the seeds through a process called ginning. Then the clean fibers are spun into yarn or thread.
History of cotton
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutism) has a history of thousands of years. It is one of the oldest crops grown by humans. The earliest evidence of cotton farming comes from around 5,000 years ago in places like India and Egypt.
In the 18th century, cotton became even more popular. Separating the seed from the cotton was the most difficult thing to do. To make this process easier, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793. The cotton gin definition refers to people who separate cotton fibers from the seeds faster. This made cotton production much quicker and cheaper.
As we know, today, cotton is still used a lot in the textile industry, and fiber is grown in many countries around the world. The top 5 countries producing cotton are China, India, Brazil, United States, Australia, and Turkey.
Cotton fiber production slightly fell from 25.1 million tonnes in 2021/22 to 24.4 million tonnes in 2022/23. After polyester, cotton is the second most produced fiber, representing 20% of global fiber production.
Understanding the different types of cotton fabric is very crucial. As explained in the cotton dictionary above, let’s now explore each type one by one.
What makes the fabric below different? Weaving or knitting structure, count of thread, weight of fabric. It can get very confusing for anyone starting in this field, but what needs to be understood first is the main vocabulary given below.
Benefits of cotton fabric
As defined in the cotton vocabulary, it is particularly in hot weather that 80% of people prefer cotton clothes for their comfort compared to synthetic clothing. In most countries, particularly in the regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, cotton farming takes place. Using cotton fabric helps many farmers in the rural areas.
Cotton is easier to wash and care for as compared to other fabrics. It is not clingy and needs low maintenance. It is hypoallergenic, odor-free, and eco-friendly, and you can sleep better with it. It is also natural, very comfortable, and biocompostable. One of the great benefits is their moisture-wicking, quick-drying properties, and you can wear them any season.
Disadvantages of synthetic fibers
Today, the top 5 fibers used in the industry are polyester, cotton, nylon, wool, and silk. Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon are widely used because they are cheap, wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, and absorb synthetic dyes easily, and many are available.
However, they have many disadvantages. The fabrics take a long time to break down. That’s why these are not eco-friendly. These fibers also don’t let air pass through easily, and it makes them uncomfortable to wear in hot weather. In particular, people with sensitive skin may have skin irritation. Additionally, they can melt when exposed to high heat. Which can be more dangerous. They also don’t absorb moisture well, so they can feel sticky or sweaty.
Cotton fabric vocabulary closing thoughts
By understanding the different types of cotton, you can make better choices for your natural dyeing projects. Cotton is a great choice because it absorbs colors beautifully and it gives rich and vibrant results. Overall, cotton remains one of the best fabrics for natural dyers due to its features like softness, durability, and ability to hold dyes well. We hope you have gotten some ideas about cotton fabric with this cotton dictionary.
Are you searching for a sustainable cotton fabric? At Green Tailor, we offer natural and sustainable-quality fabrics and products. Our eco-friendly fabrics include cotton, organic cotton, recycled cotton, silk, wool, kala cotton, linen, wild silk, khadi cotton, and many more.
Still, have any questions? To clarify all your questions, contact us directly at [email protected].
