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Cotton Fabric

Cotton Fabric

Cotton fabric is the world's most popular and used material. Cotton fabric by the metre is readily available for all sorts of projects, and here we delve deeper into this essential textile.

Cotton Satin

100% natural cotton satin weave. 172gsm. Smooth face with matt finish. Reflects & absorbs the light. Crisp and cool to touch.

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Cotton Twill

100% natural cotton. 200gsm. Smooth and soft face with a matt reverse. Easy to handle. Very tight twill weave, locks in heat.

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Organic Half-Panama Cotton

100% organic half-panama cotton. Heavy 300gsm. Authentic flecks of cotton seeds. Visible basket weave. Off-white base. Breathable.

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Organic Cotton Poplin

100% organic cotton poplin weave 110gsm. Authentic slubbing effect. Crisp, white base with no stretch. Ideal for making shirts.

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Dobby Canvas

100% cotton. Heavy, 310gsm. Textured dobby weave. Heavy, crisp, starched handle. Cream base. Good for upholstery and apparel.

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Bull Denim Cotton

100% cotton. 400gsm. Heavy & dense but soft & warm on the skin. Strong, hardwearing, diagonal drill weave structure.

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Pima Lawn 100% Cotton

100% cotton. Light, airy and smooth on the skin. Super light, 75gsm. Nice drape, flows beautifully. Use for clothes, furnishings.

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Peached Poly Sheeting

Strong woven poly blend. 130gsm. Feels like cotton. Smooth, anti-wrinkle with a subtle sheen. Use for bedding, tablecloths.

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Vintage Fade Poly/Cotton

50% cotton 50% poly. Desaturated print for vintage effect. Lightweight 140gsm, with high levels of absorbency. Slightly starched.

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Lima Cotton Poplin

81% cotton 19% poly. Semi opaque poplin weave fabric. 160gsm. Intense colours, bright lustrous face. Very fine brushed surface.

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Lima Cotton Lawn

70% cotton, 30% poly coating. Hardwearing, breathable. Slight brushed surface, ivory base tone. Lighter than poplin. 105gsm.

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Lima Cotton Twill

85% cotton, 15% poly. Smooth and soft face with a matt reverse. Easy to handle. Very tight twill weave locks in heat. 200gsm.

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Cotton Linen

All natural fabric. 95% cotton/5% linen. Cool and smooth on the skin, with some stretch. Slightly stiff finish. 228gsm.

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Bounce Cotton Jersey

95% cotton, 5% elastane. Soft, stretchy and breathable knitted Cotton Jersey, ideal for bodycon dresses, t-shirts. 180gsm.

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Oilcloth Matte

100% cotton half-panama with matte waterproof finish. 274gsm. Slight sheen. Perfect for outdoor furnishings, jackets, bibs.

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Cotton Drill

100% cotton. Durable and taut. Soft to the touch, hard wearing and heavyweight. Diagonal drill weave. Upholstery, clothing, uniforms.

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10oz Denim

10oz Denim, bright white base. Taut and tightly woven. Soft yet strong, durable fabric. Great for dressmaking and other garments.

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Organic Cotton Drill

100% natural cotton, 100% organic, this unbleached cotton drill has a sandstone base tone.

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Organic Cotton Canvas

100% organic. 100% natural. Organic cotton canvas has a bright white base tone and is great for printing your designs.

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What is cotton fabric?

Cotton fabric is one of the most popular fabrics in the world, and one of the oldest. It is a natural fibre that derives from the seedpod of the cotton plant. Cotton can be knitted or woven into a cloth, with the 2 most common weaves being plain and twill. There is also a satin weave, which produces sateen.

Cotton is a crop, which has been cultivated for more than 7,000 years, and it has become even more popular now that fabric technology allows it to be blended with other textiles, including synthetic ones, which adds durability, flexibility, and luxury.

Some popular cotton fabrics and cotton blend fabrics include:

Cotton Lawn – very lightweight, cool, and smooth and hard wearing
Organic Half-Panama Cotton – rustic half-panama made from 100% organic cotton
Cotton Linen – natural fabric made with cotton and linen
Real Cotton Silk Satin – lustrous silk face and strengthening cotton back
Cotton Jersey – soft and stretchy 100% cotton
Cotton Satin – 100% cotton satin fabric
Cotton Twill – classic twill weave with a breathable nature

Cotton fabric by the metre is available with these options.

How is it manufactured?

Cotton goes from crop to cloth through a mechanical process, known as ginning. Cotton fibres are separated from the seeds and are taken to a textile mill, where the fibres are cleaned and straightened in a carding machine. This creates a thin and soft strand, known as a silver. These silvers are then spun into a yarn, which is the cotton we all know. This is then used to weave or knit cotton fabric, normally made in a loom.

Purposes of cotton fabric

Cotton is known for its versatility, durability, and softness. Cotton fabric by the metre is widely available, which makes it very popular for craft and sewing projects. It is mainly used for clothing of all kinds and underwear, as well as homewares such as bedding, and it is often used for industrial purposes such as uniforms tarpaulins, tents, and lots more.

Cotton fibre is knitted or woven to make luxe fabrics such as velour, chambray and velvet, and everyday fabrics including jersey, flannel, and corduroy.

Properties

Cotton fabric has many properties, which makes it one of the world’s most loved materials. Some of the most noted properties include:

Easy to care for and clean
Comfortable to wear in all climates
Breathable and moisture wicking
Retains body heat in cold weather
Can be sterilized
Easy to handle and sew
When blended with other fibres, it is less prone to wrinkles and shrinkage
Takes dye easily
Resists piling and moths
Weakens from extended exposure to sunlight
Resists abrasion

Advantages of cotton fabric

There are many advantages of cotton fabric, which are beneficial to the environment, your body, and your bank balance. When you blend cotton with other fabrics, there are even more advantages, such as strength, durability, and less prone to creases.

It is a soft, natural, and breathable fabric, which is hypoallergenic, meaning it won’t irritate sensitive skin or cause allergies. Natural cotton contains no chemicals and it is highly breathable, which means it is great for wearing close to the body, in all seasons. It absorbs moisture and draws it away from the skin and it can also draw heat away, keeping you cool.

Cotton is strong and durable, holds up well to repeat washing in hot water and it is inexpensive.