Cotton is a soft fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub native to the tropical and subtropical regions of both the Old World and the New World. Cotton Fabric is noted for its versatility and its natural comfort. Cloth made of cotton is more comfortable, durable and suitable to resist all kinds of weather. For the fabrics strength, absorbency quality, capacity to be washed and dyed, cotton has become the principal clothing fabric of the world. The fruit (boll) part of the plant is used to make cotton fabric. Cotton Fabric In the world production of cotton, China is the leading followed by United States, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Turkey and Greece. Process of creating the Cotton Fabric Cotton fiber undergoes several process to reach the stage of final cloth. The processes are as mentioned below: Ginning Spinning This process involves the making of yarn from the cotton fiber. The cotton yarns are made of different thickness in this stage. Weaving Weaving is the most important process in the making of cotton cloth. Fabric finishes and treatments After weaving the cotton fabric passes through different processing stages till it reaches to the state of final product. * Desizing - This process involves removing the size material from warp yarns in woven fabrics. * Scouring - The cleaning part of the fabrics are involved in this process. Characteristics of Cotton Fabric * It is hydrophilic, which means that cotton have excellent absorbing capabilities. Garments made of cotton absorb perspiration, thus keeping one more comfortable. * Cotton wrinkles easily. To resist this, cotton is being blended with many other natural or synthetic fibers. * The blending of cotton also gives a bouncy and elasticity property to the cotton. * 100% untreated cotton fabric has pleasant matte luster. Uses of Cotton Fabric * Cotton Apparel / Garments - Garments made of cotton are very soft, comfortable and weather friendly. Normally all types of garments are made of cotton fabrics; formal, casual and even industrial clothing. * Cotton Home Furnishing - Cotton home furnishing is preferred because of the fabrics strength and durability characteristics. * Cotton Handbags and Luggages - Due to strength, cotton handbags and luggages are more widely preferred. The heavier cotton fabric is used in these kind of products. * Cotton Canvas - Medium to heavyweight cotton fabric is used in range of canvas products like shoes, tents, tarpaulins, etc. Apart from these, cotton fabrics are also used in medical and surgical products, bookbinding cloths and tobacco cloths.
