Poplin

Why is cotton so popular for clothing?

Cotton has been used for thousands of years to create lightweight fabrics. This was probably already happening in Egypt 12,000 years ago. The qualities of cotton as a clothing fabric were discovered early on because cotton fibers are completely natural. Cotton plants grow all over the world and are suitable for practically any type of clothing. However, cotton is also suitable for bedding, upholstery, and household textiles. Over the years, different methods have been developed for weaving the fabric. Each weaving technique strengthens certain properties of the fabric. However, no matter how cotton is woven, it is always a comfortable clothing fabric.

This is partly due to the unparalleled advantages of cotton. Cotton is breathable because it is air-permeable. This makes it a breathable fabric. Body heat is dissipated, so you never sweat excessively in clothing made of this fabric. Furthermore, the fabric feels soft on the skin, even when it rubs against the skin, such as during sports. The risk of skin irritation is minimal. If you are looking for children's fabrics, cotton is a good choice for this reason. Especially if you choose organic cotton, such as GOTS Organic cotton. This is guaranteed to contain no residues of harmful substances.

In addition, cotton absorbs a lot of moisture. It can absorb more than twenty percent of its own body weight in water. That is why the fabric is popular for items such as bathrobes and towels. In this case,  terry cloth or towelling fabric: cotton with loops woven into it, so that it feels rougher and absorbs more water. Due to its high absorbency, the fabric is also very suitable for dyeing. At Quality Textiles, you can buy various cotton fabrics in beautiful colors. So you will undoubtedly find the perfect fabrics for your next sewing project.

What types of cotton are there?

Almost all fabrics in our range have cotton or a blend of cotton and polyester as a base. Sometimes cotton is combined with elastic fibers such as lycra or Spandex, making the fabric stretchy and therefore extra comfortable. Most fabrics that are commonly used to make clothing contain cotton. For example, jersey fabric is usually made entirely or largely of cotton fibers. It is a knit fabric, which means that the fabric is knitted instead of woven. Many dresses and T-shirts are made of jersey fabric. Other popular knit fabrics are French terry and jogging, also known as sweat fabric. These are thicker cotton fabrics used for sweaters, hoodies, and jogging pants.

Denim or jeans fabric is also made of cotton in most cases. The twill weave in which the fabric is woven creates the characteristic diagonal lines of denim. This makes the fabric very strong and tear-resistant, making it ideal for pants and summer jackets, for example. Another sturdy fabric that can be made of cotton is corduroy. Its ribbed structure makes the fabric almost tear-resistant, which has led to it being widely used for work clothing. But corduroy is also ideal for clothing that children wear when playing outside.

There are also cotton fabrics with a luxurious look. For example, satin offers the elegant sheen we know from silk, but at a much more affordable price because it is made from cotton or polyester. Poplin has a slight sheen and is often used for chic shirts or blouses. Velvet is also highly valued for its luxurious appearance. So, cotton clothing is available for everyone and for every application.

Making Clothing from Cotton

When making clothing from cotton, it is advisable always to wash the fabric first. All natural fiber fabrics have a tendency to shrink slightly in the first wash. It is better to preshrink the fabric before sewing pattern pieces with thread. Because cotton is the most commonly used fabric for clothing, almost all washing machines can launder the material. However, be aware that cotton fabrics that contain synthetic fibers should not be washed at too high a temperature. The clothing may become misshapen or shrink too much. Therefore, be careful with the dryer and the iron as well.

The exact method for sewing clothing from cotton depends on the specific type of fabric you are working with. Usually, a universal needle is a good choice, but there are also special needles available for certain fabrics, such as jersey needles. If the cotton you want to make clothing from has a slight stretch, place an anti-slip mat underneath before inserting the needle and do not press too hard when sewing the fabric on the sewing machine. Most fabrics can be sewn with a straight stitch, but for stretchy fabrics, we recommend using a zigzag stitch, so that the thread does not come under too much pressure during movement.

Buying Cotton Online

Buying cotton online is easy at Quality Textiles. We offer a wide range of cotton fabrics in various colors and prints, including fabrics with animal prints for children. In addition, we have a large assortment of top-quality haberdashery items to finish the edges of your clothing beautifully. If you need advice or want to know more about certain fabrics, our enthusiastic fabric experts are happy to assist you.