Cotton

Cotton is a soft fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The fiber is most often spun into thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile, which is the most widely used natural-fiber cloth in clothing today.

Cotton fiber, once it has been processed, consists of nearly pure cellulose. The cellulose gives cotton fibers a high degree of strength, durability, and absorbency. When the cotton boll is opened, the fibers dry into flat, twisted, ribbon-like shapes and become interlocked ; is ideal for spinning into a fine yarn.

Cotton Producing Countries

The seven largest producers of cotton in the world are (1) China, (2) the United States, (3) India, (4) Pakistan, (5) Uzbekistan, (6) Turkey, and (7) Brazil. In the United States,Texas leads in total production while the state of California has the highest yield per acre in the world.

Cultivation

Cotton can only be cultivated in warm places, requires two hundred days of warm weather with adequate moisture and sunlight. The cotton bolls grow to full size by August or September, when it begins to burst with fleecy white cotton fiber.

Harvesting to remove all of the leaves, the plants are sprayed with a chemical, causing leaves to wither and fall. Ginning and Baling the seeds are removed by the cotton gin and cotton fibers are compressed into rectangular bales about 500 pounds (225 kg) each.

Types Of Cotton

Different kinds and types of cotton are grown in different parts of the world. Variations among cotton fibers occur because of the growth conditions. The quality depends upon its whiteness, length, fineness and strength. The particular kind of cotton is identified by the name of the country where it is produced.

The better known kinds of cotton are

Upland cotton fibers are fairly white, strong and dull and constitutes over 99% of the United States cotton crops. American Pima cotton grown in Texas, the fibers are fine, strong, lustrous, silky and creamy brown in color is used primarily for sewing thread and high quality broadcloth.

Egyptian cotton the fibers are light brown, fine and strong and is used where fine yarns or strong yarns are required. Asiatic cotton produced in India, China and the Near East are coarse and short fibers used in surgical supplies.

Weaves In Cotton
Plain weave shantung, voile, crepes, lawn, organdy, gingham etc. Twill weave denim, gabardine, jean, khaki twill etc. Satin sateen. Pile velveteen, corduroy, terry cloth.

Finishes used on Cotton

Brushing and shearing. Gassing or singeing. Bleaching. Mercerization. Sizing. Crease resistant. Water repellent finishes.

Control of shrinkage. Air conditioning. Glazing. Creping. Mildew resistant finishes. Napping. Tentering and calendering.

Evaluating Cotton Fabrics

Strength strength of a fiber is indicated by the ability to resist being pulled or torn apart when subjected to stress or tension. Elasticity refers to the extent to which a fiber can be elongated to stretching and then returning to its former condition of size. Resilience the extent to which a fabric can be deformed by compression and return to its original position.

Drapability the ability of a fabric to hang easily and fall into graceful shape and folds. Heat conductivity the extent to which heat can be conveyed through a fiber or fabric. Absorbency the ease or extent to which moisture can penetrate into a fiber. Cleanliness and wash ability ability to withstand laundering and rough handling.

Reaction to bleaches chemicals designed to remove discoloration. Shrinkage the ability of a fiber to contract or shrink when wet as it dries. Effect of heat the ability of a fiber to withstand heat. Effect of light the ability of fiber to sustain oxidization.

Resistance to mildew. Resistance to insects. Reaction to alkalies. Reaction to acids. Affinity for dyes. Resistance to perspiration.

Selling Points
Economical. Versatile. Easy care. Styled attractively. Comfortable. Durable .

Uses
Womens and childrens sportswear. Daytime and evening dresses. Shirting fabrics for men and boys. Underclothing for men, women and children. Infants wear. Linings, trimmings and hosiery.