CottonNatural Fiber

History…• Pieces of cotton cloth and bolls were found by

scientists searching a cave in Mexico said to be 7,000 years old

• In 3,000 years B.C. cotton was being grown, spun, and woven into cloth in the Indus River Valley in Pakistan. – This is about the same time natives of Egypt’s Nile valley

were making and wearing cotton clothing• Arab merchants brought cotton cloth to Europe

about 800 A.D. • Columbus had found cotton growing in the Bahama

Islands when he discovered America in 1492

• Cotton was known throughout the world by 1500• Cotton seed are believed to have been planted in

1556 in Florida and in 1607 in Virginia• By 1616, colonists were growing cotton along the

James River in Virginia• In England in 1730, cotton was first spun by

machinery• In 1793, Eli Whitney, a Massachusetts native,

secured the patent on the cotton gin – Gin did the work 10 times faster than by hand– Made it possible to supply large quantities of cotton fiber

Advantages

• Highly porous fiber– Breathability– Light – Dyes easily

• Strength• Versatility- can be woven into

any density

• Soft- good for sensitive skin because derived naturally

• Drapes well- conforms well to curves of body

• Low-maintenance• Doesn’t stain easily• Can withstand high

heat• Responds well to

sewing- easy to handle because only has a slight give

Disadvantages

• Shrinkage- the fibers shrink and shorten in water and when put in the dryer this is permanent

• Non-Wicking Ability- when wet, can stretch out; retains water and sweat; causes chafing during exercise

• Mildews and Smells- can become mildewed if soiled or wet and not immediately dried; smell is mere impossible to get out and very strong, so the item must be deep cleaned or, in most cases,

thrown out

• Light Effects- light can cause the fibers to yellow, change color, weaken, or completely disintegrate; may happen every time in sunlight

• Wrinkles- inelastic; must be ironed frequently because wrinkles easily; if wrinkled out of the dryer, will most likely stay that way; will retain wrinkles and creases caused by folding

Care

• Cotton is easily cleaned because it can withstand high heat

• Any good detergent can be used• Bleach is safe for cotton whites and color safe bleach

for dyed cotton• Can be washed in the washer on very high heat• A higher heat setting is needed for the dryer because

cotton takes longer to dry since it is so absorbent• Can be ironed with a hot iron and doesn’t scorch easily

My Collection…