Cotton fabric is the most popular and demanding fabric of all time! We can not imagine how summer would be without this comfy fabric! Cotton has a high demand in the fashion industry because of its breathability quality. No other fabric can compete with cotton fabric in this term. As the cotton fabric has a high demand, you might be thinking of producing cotton fabric-based apparel for your new fashion house! Before starting your production, you might be also curious to know about this cotton fabric.
Well, today we will discuss all the properties, background, and details of cotton fabric.
Let’s start!
What Is Cotton Fabric?
Cotton fabric is the most commonly used fabric type on the planet. This fabric is chemically organic, which means it has no synthetic components in it. We made cotton fabric from the fibers that surround the mature seeds of cotton plants, which develop in a round, fluffy structure.
Cotton farming was popular in both Arabia and Iran, but it was not that popular until the late Middle Ages when this textile plant made its way to Europe in full force. Before this, Europeans thought cotton grew on mystery trees in India, and even some researchers claimed that this material was a form of wool produced by sheep that grew on trees at that time.
Cotton fabric has always been popular for its breathability and lightness. The natural color of this fabric is white or slightly yellowish, and it has a pretty good tensile strength. Cotton absorbs a lot of water yet dries rapidly and this quality has made this cotton fabric a great moisture-wicking fabric.
The Making of Cotton Fabric
First, producers must remove the cotton seed from the boll before making pure cotton cloth. Eli Whitney, an American entrepreneur, invented the cotton gin in 1794. These gins we have used to remove the seeds from cotton bolls as well as any dirt or debris. Once it has been cleaned and there are no seeds or garbage, the cotton is delivered to a textile production company.
Usage of Cotton Fabric
We found cotton in approximately 75% of the world’s clothing fabrics. For example, most t-shirts include at least some cotton, while true blue jeans we made entirely of cotton. Bathrobes, bathmats, and towels are all made from this fabric, as well as bed sheets, blankets, and duvets. We might use cotton to manufacture curtains, wall hangings, and other sorts of home decors. We use cotton widely to manufacture summer clothes because it is highly breathable and absorbent. Its softness makes it a terrific choice for formal and professional attire, and its draping properties make it an excellent fabric for comfy dresses.
We used cotton to create industrial thread and tarps, as well as medical supplies. In conclusion, cotton we can also use to manufacture almost any form of industrial textile.
Where Is Cotton Fabric Produced?
India and China are the world’s major cotton producers. According to Statista, India produced 6,205,000 metric tons of cotton between 2017 and 2018, surpassing its East Asian counterpart. During the same time period, China produced 5,987,000 metric tons of cotton fiber.
The United States is the second-largest producer of cotton, with 4,555,000 metric tons. While these three countries produce the majority of the world’s cotton, other countries such as Brazil, Pakistan, and Australia routinely produce more than 1 million metric tons each year.
Cotton Fabric Costs
Raw cotton costs about $0.75 per pound, according to IndexMundi. These prices, however, are always changing. Cotton becomes much more expensive after we spun it into yarn, and it becomes even more expensive once it turns into a finished product.
Cotton is one of the world’s most affordable textile fibers, which has contributed to its widespread use. Extra-long-staple cotton is more expensive to produce for manufacturers, and it is, therefore, more expensive for consumers.
Different Types of Cotton Fabrics
There are mainly 4 types of different cotton fabrics. They are-
- Gossypium hirsutum
Gossypium hirsutum is a short-staple (SS) cotton fiber, which indicates that it isn’t as high-quality as other varieties. It is local to Central America and the Caribbean Sea, and it produces 90 percent of the world’s cotton.
- Gossypium barbadense
Gossypium barbadense is a cotton type with extra-long staples (ELS). This variety of cotton is responsible for 8% of global production. It is a South American native that we have sold to a number of countries around the world.
- Gossypium arboretum
While most cotton varieties grow on some little bushes, Gossypium arboretum grows on bigger bushes that are almost as tall as trees. Cotton of this sort accounts for less than 2% of global production.
- Gossypium herbaceum
We called this fabric Levant cotton. This type of cotton fabric is native to Africa and Arabia and contributes less than 2% to global cotton production.
There are various types of cotton-like- short-staple cotton, long-staple cotton, extra-long-staple cotton, Egyptian cotton, pima cotton, and Supima cotton.
How Does Cotton Fabric Impact the Environment?
Cotton production has no negative environmental impact, however, the methods used to generate this fiber may be harmful. Cotton production requires a large amount of water, and it may also require land repurposing. To grow their crops, most cotton farmers use agrochemicals including insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers.
So we can say that cotton fabric is an environmentally friendly material that you can produce and work with without any hesitation. Also if you are looking for a clothing manufacturer where you will find all the varieties of cotton, you will find the Beautiful Connection Group really helpful. This is one of the best clothing manufacturing companies in the USA that work with customizable wholesale products. They maintain the best quality at a reasonable price. So it will be the best option for especially the new clothing business owners.