Cotton fabric is among the most extensively used fabric types on the globe. It is an organic fabric because it is free of any synthetic ingredients. Cotton fabric is made up of the fibers that wrap the mature seeds of cotton plants, which appear in a fluffy structure. Cotton fabric is absolutely skin-friendly and popular in hot and humid areas, making it the ideal selection for the Indian subcontinent.
To acquire the greatest qualities of cotton fabrics, they are frequently combined with other fabric materials such as nylon, linen, wool, and polyester. Cotton is the best fabric for dresses, traditional blouses, beautiful long anarkalis, casual Kurtis, comfortable pants, and semi-formal casual t-shirts and shirts due to its versatility.
You can find various fabric types online like cotton embroidery fabric, nylon fabric, unstitched dress material, silk fabric, jacquard fabric, organza fabric, satin fabric, georgette fabric, chiffon fabric, and more in exquisite hand block prints, digital prints, and screen prints.
Different Types of Cotton Fabrics
One cotton fabric is not the same as the second. Eco friendly cotton fabric comes in many distinct varieties, each with its own quality, softness, and properties. The diverse production methods and the manner the cotton strands are braided contribute to the diversity. Let’s look at different types of cotton fabrics :
- Short-Staple (SS) Cotton is good for everyday use, but it is not as soft as other types of cotton fabrics.
- Long-staple (LS) Cotton is considered more luxurious when compared to short-staple (SS) cotton.
- Extra-long-staple (ELS) cotton is the most supple and luxurious cotton in existence.
- Egyptian cotton is the most luxurious and longest type of cotton fabric. It is often used in threads.
- Pima cotton is a supremely soft fabric made from long cotton fibers. This sort of cotton is frequently used in high-end garments and is also a popular bedsheet material.
- Supima cotton is a rich quality of cotton. It is one of the world’s softest and strongest types of cotton.
Different Characteristics of Cotton Fabrics
Most of us evaluate a piece of fabric based on its first impression. Only a few people take the time to examine the quality of material in depth. Before we get into the specifics of taking care of the high-quality cotton fabric, it’s important to know a fabric’s quality and what separates a luxury garment from one that isn’t.
The uniqueness of the cotton fabric is determined by several factors that are listed below:
- Quality: Cotton is widely used because it is relatively affordable, versatile, breathable, and durable. When choosing fabric, always remember that the material should be of excellent quality. If it has even minor flaws, you will almost certainly have garments manufactured to show those flaws. A good quality cotton fabric should be able to survive for more than a few months. You shouldn’t have to be concerned about your fabric ripping apart.
- Drape: Drape refers to the fabric’s fluidity or rigidity, determining how the fabric material falls and folds on the body. Everyone wants fabrics with a natural and flowy drape when designing attractive clothing. Cotton and linen fabrics keep their shape and don’t drape as effectively as other fabrics like satin and silk. They are, however, both quite easy to sew with, considering their stiffness and weight.
- Comfort: The cotton fabric should be pleasant to touch. Nobody wants to wear a cotton garment that bothers their skin. The tiny air pockets between the separate threads are why some fabrics are less breathable than others. Finely combed cotton can be woven very tightly to eliminate these air pockets and help avoid unpleasant sweaty feelings.
- Resistance: Long-staple fibers are spun into a finer yarn, and the fabrics manufactured from them are usually of superior quality. As a result, the cotton fabric is stronger and more durable than other fabrics. All good-quality cotton fabrics should maintain their shape and quality even after a few washes. The cotton fabric should not wear out, shrink too much, or twist even after several washes.
- Color: The color of the cotton fabric is crucial, especially if you’re planning on stitching your outfit. To make the cotton garment seem even better on you, choose a color that complements your skin tone. The dyed cotton fabric should look rich and vibrant even after daily use and repeated cleaning.
How To Take Care Of Cotton Fabric At Home?
Cotton is simple to care for as it can be machine washed or even dry cleaned. It can endure high water temperatures, although it is subject to shrinkage. Most cotton fabrics shrink on the first wash, even when prewashed. Therefore prewashing again before stitching is necessary to avoid shrinkage. Most garment manufacturers encourage dry washing of printed cotton fabrics or garments to maintain the fabric’s unique texture, quality, and design.
