TextileGlossary.com

What is "Cotton" - Definition & Explanation
Last Updated on: 11-Feb-2024 (5 months, 16 days ago)
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Cotton
Fiber from the cotton plant.
Cotton
(Color grown) - Cotton plants that are specifically bred to take advantage of their natural coloring in shades of white, brown and green. Fabrics are then created that use the natural coloring and are completely free of dyes. Color grown cotton can be grown in beautiful natural colors such as honey, sage, and mocha. Ancient Indians in South America were known to have used color grown cotton. In the past decade, these color grown cotton fibers have become available once again for apparel manufacturing. With the limitations of lower yields and shorter, weaker fibers, color-grown cotton varieties have had to go through an extensive breeding program to improve their yield, fiber quality, color intensity and color palette. Color grown fabrics may contain certain natural variations in color, light fastness and shrinkage.
Cotton
A unicellular, natural fiber that grows in the seed pod of the cotton plant. Fibers are typically 1/2 inch to 2 inches long. The longest staple fibers, longer than 1-1/2 inch, including the Pima and Egyptian varieties, produce the highest quality cotton fabrics. It is one of the world's major textile fibers. There are four main types of cotton: American Upland, Egyptian, Sea Island and Asiatic. The flowers from which these different types of cotton are obtained vary in color and texture, thus providing each type of cotton with varying characteristics. Cotton, in general, is very elastic. It can withstand high temperatures, is very washable and is very susceptible to dyes.
Cotton
A unicellular, natural fiber that grows in the seed pod of the cotton plant. Fibers are typically 1/2 inch to 2 inches long. The longest staple fibers, longer than 1 1/2 inch, including the Pima and Egyptian varieties, produce the highest quality cotton fabrics.
Cotton
(Green) - A marketing term referring to cotton that is unbleached and undyed but grown using toxic pesticides. Green cotton has not been subjected to the harsh, toxic chemicals used during the processing period. Because green cotton has been grown using toxic insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers, it is still a contributor to the environmental damage and the damage done to the health of the farm workers and those that live in the nearby areas.
Cotton
(Organic) - Cotton grown without any harmful pesticides, herbicides or artificial fertilizers using biologically based and sustainable growing methods such as crop rotation rather than with highly synthetic and destructive fertilizers. Organic cotton is grown using biologically based growing methods rather than toxic synthetic fertilizers, soil additives or defoliants. It is also free of formaldehyde finishes. Organic Cotton wears well and is extremely breathable, unlike synthetics that pill, emit static electricity, prematurely age, and trap perspiration. Cotton is commonly portrayed as natural, yet conventional cotton is cultivated in a highly toxic process, which contaminates groundwater and ultimately drinking water and poisons the food chain. While it takes approximately one pound of chemicals to grow three pounds of conventional cotton, organic cotton is grown chemical free.
Cotton
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. The fibre is most often spun into thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile.
Cotton
Cotton, cool, soft, comfortable, the principal clothing fiber of the world. Its production is one of the major factors in world prosperity and economic stability. Cotton "breathes". What would we do without cotton? Since cotton wrinkles, polyester was added to give it wash and wear properties for a busy world. In recent times, the consumer determined that polyester, although easier to care for, took away the cool from cotton and also added a "pilling" effect to cotton/polyester blends. Consumers now often request "100% Cotton". Permanent finishes also added to the all cotton fabric gave a wash and wear property to cotton. cotton. The cotton fiber is from the cotton plant?s seed pod The fiber is hollow in the center and, under a microscope looks like a twisted ribbon. "Absorbent" cotton will retain 24-27 times its own weight in water and is stronger when wet than dry. This fiber absorbs and releases perspiration quickly, thus allowing the fabric to "breathe". Cotton can stand high temperatures and takes dyes easily. Chlorine bleach can be used to restore white garments to a clear white but this bleach may yellow chemically finished cottons or remove color in dyed cottons. Boiling and sterilizing temperatures can also be used on cotton without disintegration. Cotton can also be ironed at relatively high temperatures, stands up to abrasion and wears well.

Mercerized cotton is treated to permanently straighten the cotton fibers which then becomes a smooth, rod-like fiber that is uniform in appearance with a high luster. Cotton is often blended with other fibers such as polyester, linen, wool, to "blend" the best properties of each fiber.

Cotton
India is the home of cotton. It was an export commodity even during very early times. Romans used the word carbasina for cotton which is derived from the sanskrit word karpasa. Fine muslin called nebula venti, during Nero's time was being woven in Sonargaon ( now in Bangladesh ) until the end of the last century. Cotton weavers, who specialised in weaving fine quality fabrics were supplied the yarn by specialised spinners who used to handspin very fine count yarn. The Daccai weaves of East Bengal, now Bangladesh, are famous for figured cotton sarees and for the finely woven cotton mulmul, muslin, which was used for turbans and for making upper garments. It is most suitable for the fine quality of cotton woven in India and is probably indigenous. The Jamdani technique of patterning is found in most cotton producing centres like Venkatagiri in Andhra Pradesh , Morangfi in Manipur and kodialkaruppar saree of Tamil Nadu.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber of great durability and strength. The soft and fluffy fibers are formed within a cotton boll or seedpod. Each fiber is made up of twenty to thirty layers of cellulose coiled in a neat series of natural springs.
Cotton
The soft fiber obtained from the seed pod of the cotton plant. It is spun into yarn and thread and woven into fabric.
Cotton
A natural cellulosic seed-hair fiber, obtained from the seed pod of the cotton plant. First known in India about 3000 BC.
Cotton
A natural fiber got from the seeds of the plants family which is a natural vegetable fiber

Some more terms:

Skirts

A skirt is a tube- or cone-shaped women's garment which hangs from the waist and covers the legs. Unlike pants, a skirt is not divided. A dress (also frock, gown) is a garment consisting of a skirt...

Read about Skirts

Serge

Serge is a type of twill fabric that has diagonal lines or ridges on both sides, made with a two-up, two-down weave. The worsted variety is used in making military uniforms, suits, great and trench...

Read about Serge

Repellency

The ability of a fabric to resist such things as wetting and staining by water, stains, soil, etc. Resiliency - The ability of a fabric to spring back to its original shape after being t compounds to...

Read about Repellency

Tape Yarn

A yarn used for knitwear in the form of a tape with a large width-to-thickness ratio. Such yarns are typically formed by weaving or knitting. Knitted tape yarns are often made on circular knitting...

Read about Tape Yarn

Dyeing of Textiles

The coloring of greige goods or fibers with either natural or synthetic dyes. This may be done in many different ways depending on the type of fabric (or fiber), the type of dye and the desired...

Read about Dyeing of Textiles

Latent Heat

The quantity of heat absorbed or released by a substance undergoing a change of state, such as ice changing to water or water to steam, at constant temperature and pressure. When a solid material is...

Read about Latent Heat

Barathea

A silk, rayon, or manufactured fiber necktie fabric with a broken rib weave and a characteristic pebbly appearance. A fine, dress fabric with a silk warp and worsted filling, woven in a broken...

Read about Barathea

Cotton Ice

Cotton Ice is a six-ply, 65% combed cotton/35% bright viscose rayon with 2,100 yds/lb. It is an excellent blend combining the softness of cotton with the sheen and dyeability of rayon. This high...

Read about Cotton Ice

Add a definition

Add a definition for a textile term that you know about! Send us an email & tell us:
  • The term you want to define
  • Its definition in 500 words or less
  • Attach an image if necessary.
  • Optionally, tell us about yourself in 200 words or less!

Companies for Cotton:

If you manufacture, distribute or otherwise deal in Cotton, please fill your company details below so that we can list your company for FREE! Send us the following details:
  • Company name
  • Company address
  • Attach a logo, if necessary.
  • Optionally, tell us about yourself in 200 words or less!

Did you know this fact? Fashion designer Bora Aksu was born in Turkey and has shown his collections at London Fashion Week.
(s) 2024 TextileGlossary.com Some rights reserved. • Sitemap