Cotton fabric is one of the most popular materials in the garment industry in Vietnam and around the world. This fabric has many special properties and is applied in many areas of life, especially fashion. Let’s learn more about what cotton fabric is? As well as its outstanding features in the following article!
What is cotton fabric?
Cotton fabric is a type of fabric made from cotton fibers directly extracted from the fruit of the cotton tree. Cotton is one of the most popular natural fibers in the world and is widely used in the garment industry. Cotton spandex fabric is soft, breathable, absorbs sweat well and is very easy to preserve.
Thanks to that, cotton fabric is applied in many different industries and areas of life.
Historical Origin of Cotton
Cotton has ancient origins, dating back to around 7,000 BC. Ancient cotton cloth was found in a cave in Mexico. It is also estimated that cotton was once very popular in ancient civilizations in the Nile and Ganges regions.
By the 16th century, cotton was introduced to Europe and developed most strongly in the 18th century when the weaving machine was invented. Until now, cotton has become an indispensable part of the garment industry and life applications.
What is the cotton fabric production process?
The cotton fabric production process includes 5 main steps:
- Step 1: Cotton harvesting: Cotton is harvested around November-December, when the cotton is ripe and opened. Cotton is harvested by hand or machine.
- Step 2: Cotton fiber separation: Cotton fibers are separated from cotton by a cotton separator. Cotton fibers are classified according to length, straightness and cleanliness.
- Step 3: Cotton fiber refining: Cotton fibers are refined by removing impurities, such as dust, soil, leaves, etc. Refined cotton fibers have higher strength and quality.
- Step 4: Spinning: Cotton fibers are spun into yarn by a spinning machine. Cotton fibers are spun into yarn according to the requirements for thickness, strength and softness.
- Step 5: Weaving: Cotton fibers are woven into fabric by a weaving machine. Cotton fabrics can be woven in many different styles and colors.
- Step 6: After weaving, cotton fabric is bleached, dyed and finished to meet consumer requirements.
Advantages and disadvantages of cotton fabric
Cotton fabric has many advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of using this type of fabric depends on the specific needs and purposes of use.
Advantages:
- Good sweat absorption: The ability to absorb sweat is very good, helping the wearer always feel dry and comfortable. This is the reason why cotton fabric is commonly used to sew summer clothes.
- Cool: With a hollow structure, it helps air circulate well, creating a cool feeling for the wearer.
- Easy to dye: Currently, there are a variety of cotton fabric colors, users can choose from many different colors.
- High durability: Cotton fabric is very durable, especially when combined with other artificial fibers such as polyester, spandex.
- Environmentally friendly: Cotton fabric is made from natural materials, biodegradable, environmentally friendly.
Disadvantages:
- Easily wrinkled: It is easy to wrinkle after washing and using. It should be mixed with other fibers to eliminate this disadvantage.
- Shrinkable: Easy to shrink after washing, especially when machine washed.
- High cost: 100% cotton fabric is more expensive than other fabrics.
In general, cotton fabric is a fabric with many advantages, widely used in many fields. However, cotton fabric also has some disadvantages such as easy to wrinkle, shrink and high cost.
Some popular types of cotton fabric today
Since its inception, cotton fabric has been improved with many types to have different characteristics. Therefore, cotton fabric meets the increasingly diverse needs of users.
100% cotton fabric
100% cotton fabric is a type of fabric woven from natural cotton fibers. 100% cotton fabric is soft and airy, but can shrink after washing. With the ability to absorb sweat very well, helping the wearer always feel dry and comfortable. This is the reason why cotton fabric is commonly used to make summer clothes. However, it is very easy to wrinkle and shrink if not properly preserved and used.
CVC cotton fabric
CVC cotton fabric is an abbreviation for “Chief Value Cotton”. This is a type of fabric woven from cotton and polyester fibers with a cotton fiber ratio of 50% or more. CVC cotton fabric is more durable than 100% cotton fabric, but is less breathable.
CVC cotton fabric is widely used in many fields, from clothing, fashion to bedding production.
TC cotton fabric
TC cotton fabric is an abbreviation of the phrase “Terry Cotton”, roughly translated as “Terry Cotton”. TC cotton fabric has a cotton fiber content of about 35% and is more durable thanks to the combination of polyester fibers. However, in terms of breathability, TC cotton is quite poor.
Cotton poly fabric
Cotton poly fabric is a fabric woven from cotton and polyester fibers. Cotton poly fabric has the highest durability among cotton fabrics, but is the least breathable. Cotton poly fabric is an abbreviation of the phrase “Cotton Polyester” with a cotton fiber content of 30% or more.
Cotton Satin Fabric
Cotton satin fabric is woven in a satin style, with a texture created by weaving the yarns in a flat mesh pattern – the weft yarns are threaded under the warp yarns and then overlapped with the two warp yarns. This technique creates a smooth, glossy surface and a more matte surface.
Cotton satin fabric has a smooth, luxurious surface, suitable for sewing high-end fashion products such as shirts, dresses, pillow bases and other interior products. Cotton satin fabric is also highly appreciated for its durability, can be used for a long time, but it is very easy to wrinkle, so it requires care when washing and ironing before wearing.
Silk cotton fabric
Silk cotton fabric is a special fabric created by combining cotton and premium silk fibers in the weaving process. Cotton fibers are often used as the main core of the fabric, while premium silk fibers create a smooth and luxurious surface.
The combination of cotton and silk has produced silk cotton fabric with shine, smoothness, softness, while still maintaining the breathability and sweat absorption of cotton. Thanks to that, silk cotton fabric is always of high value, considered a high-end product in the fashion and interior decoration industry.
Borip Cotton Fabric
Borip fabric, also known as ribbed fabric, is a type of fabric with an external shape of raised ribs and recessed grooves. Borip fabric is often elastic and is often used to make sportswear, underwear, fashion apparel and other fabric products.
Borip fabric can be woven from many different materials such as cotton, polyester or other synthetic fibers. Each material will create different properties for the fabric, so it can be used for many purposes as well as different requirements from the market and consumers.
Cotton Spandex Blend
Cotton Spandex blend is a fabric that combines cotton and Spandex fibers in the weaving process. Cotton fibers are often used as the main core of the fabric, while Spandex fibers are added to create stretch and elasticity for the fabric.
The combination of cotton and Spandex enhances comfort, elasticity and body-hugging, while still retaining the natural softness of cotton, so it is used to produce sportswear, jeans, T-shirts, etc.
Cotton velvet fabric
Cotton velvet fabric is a fabric woven from cotton and velvet fibers. Cotton velvet fabric has a soft, smooth surface, with a slight shine. This is a popular fabric in the fashion and interior decoration industry because of its softness and high aesthetics.
With its soft properties, cotton velvet is often used to make dresses, shirts or applied in the interior decoration industry, such as curtains, pillows, sofas, to create a cozy and luxurious space.
Experience in identifying good quality cotton fabric
Cotton fabric is a type of fabric made from cotton fibers, with many outstanding advantages such as good sweat absorption, coolness, softness, etc. However, there are many different types of cotton fabrics on the market today, from good quality to poor quality. Therefore, to buy good quality cotton fabric, consumers need to grasp some of the following experiences:
Check the fabric composition: Good quality cotton fabric often has a high cotton fiber content, at least 90%. You need to check the fabric composition by looking at the product label.
Check the thickness and durability of the fabric: Good quality cotton fabric is usually moderately thick, not too thin or too thick. When touching the fabric, you can feel the fabric is soft, smooth and has good elasticity.
Check the absorbency of the fabric: To check the absorbency of the fabric, you can drop a drop of water on the surface of the fabric, if the drop of water absorbs quickly, it is good quality cotton fabric.
Check the elasticity of the fabric: Good quality cotton fabric usually has good elasticity, helping the wearer to move comfortably. To check the elasticity of the fabric, you can stretch the fabric horizontally and vertically, if the fabric stretches well, it is good quality cotton fabric.
Great applications of cotton fabric in life
Cotton fabric is a type of fabric made from cotton fibers, with many outstanding advantages such as good sweat absorption, coolness, softness, … Therefore, cotton fabric is widely used in many areas of life, from clothing, fashion to the production of bedding, household items, … with different products, from clothes, dresses, jackets, underwear, swimwear, tablecloths, napkins, towels, …
In addition, cotton fabric is also used in a number of other areas, such as the production of masks, medical bandages, tissues, …
Proper storage and cleaning of cotton fabric
The characteristics of cotton fabric are quite special, easily damaged if you do not know how to clean or preserve it. Here are some notes when using clothes and items made of cotton:
How to wash cotton
Remove dirt and dust: Before washing, remove dirt and dust on the fabric surface by brushing with a soft brush.
Choose the right detergent: Use detergent specifically for cotton to avoid fading and pilling.
Wash the fabric with cold or warm water: The washing water temperature should not be too high to avoid shrinking the fabric.
Wash the fabric by hand or in a washing machine: Cotton can be washed by hand or in a washing machine. However, if washing in a washing machine, choose a gentle wash mode and avoid washing with other fabrics.
Dry the fabric in a cool place, away from direct sunlight: Dry the fabric in a cool place, away from direct sunlight to avoid fading and discoloration.
Hand-wash cotton clothes
How to preserve cotton fabric
Use a laundry bag: When washing clothes in a washing machine, use a laundry bag to avoid pilling.
Hang clothes immediately after washing: After washing, hang clothes immediately to avoid wrinkles.
Iron clothes at low temperatures: Iron clothes at low temperatures to avoid scorching the fabric.
Store clothes in a cool, dry place: Store clothes in a cool, dry place to avoid mold and fading.
Some frequently asked questions about cotton fabric
In addition to information related to what is cotton fabric? What are the characteristics of cotton fabric? Surely many people are wondering whether this type of fabric is hot or pilling when worn. Let’s find out the details in the following content!
Does cotton fabric stretch?
Pure cotton fabric has poor elasticity, only about 2-3%. However, to increase the elasticity of cotton fabric, people often add a small amount of spandex fiber. Therefore, cotton fabric mixed with spandex has better elasticity, helping the wearer feel comfortable when moving.
Is cotton fabric hot?
Cotton fabric has good sweat absorption, helping the wearer always feel dry and comfortable. Therefore, the fabric does not bring a feeling of heat when worn. On the contrary, cotton fabric also has the effect of cooling the body, suitable for the hot and humid climate of Vietnam.
However, pure cotton fabric has a certain thickness. Therefore, wearing thick cotton fabric in the summer can bring a feeling of heat. Therefore, you should choose a fabric with moderate thickness to suit the weather.
Is cotton fabric fuzzy?
Cotton fabric can be fuzzy, especially when washed in a washing machine. The reason is that the cotton fibers are short, when washed in a washing machine, these fibers can be twisted and tangled together, creating fuzzy balls on the fabric surface.
To limit the situation of cotton fabric being fuzzy, you should note the following:
Wash by hand or in a washing machine with gentle washing force.
- Do not wash cotton fabric with other fabrics.
- Do not use strong detergents when washing.
- Dry the fabric in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.
Where to buy reputable cotton fabric at a good price?
The advice for you is to buy cotton fabric at reputable addresses, with clear origin, guaranteed fabric quality. In which, Kien Hoa Knitting is one of the top suggestions for you.
When buying fabric at Kien Hoa Knitting, you will receive benefits such as:
- Guaranteed fabric quality: High quality cotton raw materials, imported from reputable countries. The fabric production process is strictly controlled, ensuring the best fabric quality.
- Diverse designs: You can search for a variety of cotton fabrics with many different designs, colors, and sizes, meeting all needs.
- Competitive prices: We are a direct manufacturer, without intermediaries, so the prices are always the most competitive in the market.
- Good after-sales service: Our staff is always ready to support customers in the process of choosing, purchasing and using products.
Cotton fabric is a popular fabric and is widely used in the garment industry with many advantages. Hopefully through this article, you can clearly understand what cotton fabric is? As well as know how to choose high quality cotton fabric. Please contact Kien Hoa Textile via hotline 0937 887 388 for the most detailed advice!
