Spinning the Web > Clothing & products

Cotton is an annual species of plant. The substance used to produce cotton yarn is a vegetable fibre which grows in the seed pod. Its tubular layer structure means that it can absorb and release moisture quickly. The term 'cotton boll' = the seed pod + the cotton fibre.

There are three basic cotton varieties:

Fine high lustre fibre with staples 3 - 6.5cm long which is best quality and includes:

* Sea Island (grown in West Indies, Central America, Mexico)
* Egyptian
* Sudanese
* Peruvian
* American Pima
* Eastern African

Medium fibre with staples 2 - 3cm long and includes:

* American Upland (most of USA production)

Short dull coarse fibre with staples 1 - 2 cm long:
* Indian
* Chinese

There a number of cotton fabric types. The most common are:
broderie anglaise; buckram; calico; candlewick; canvas; chintz; corduroy; denim; dimity; duck; flannelette; fustian; gauze; gingham; lawn; moleskin; muslin; organdie; pique; poplin; sateen; seersucker; towelling; velour; velveteen; voile; winceyette.

GG

View the Varieties of cotton collection to find out more >


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Related Narratives	Types of cotton