Cotton: Its Features, Types And Their Uses

Cotton is a very versatile fabric. Initially obtained from the cotton plant and processed to make fiber, yarn and cloth on handlooms and machines, it offers a wide range of uses and applications in a vast number of fields. Cotton is used to make a variety of products that we use in our day to day life.

Cotton cloth is available in a variety of designs and styles. But before that, there is another way of its classification. The cotton cloth is classified according to its weave and weight. This cloth employs a special weft and warp pattern in its construction that makes it unique. It is a plain woven fabric. In this the threads are more tightly woven.

The cloth made such is further classified according to its weight; graded from the heaviest to the lightest. All these different categories of cotton cloth area used to make different types of products that differ in look, feel and their quality.

In accordance with the above mentioned classification, the cotton fabric is also classified as duck cotton, canvass cotton, linen etc. As it is a natural fabric, it is easily dyed and is available in a host of colors. This makes it ideal to make a variety of product and apparels in varied hues.

Moreover, cotton is easy to sew. The fabric can be conveniently machine washed in cold water and dried. It does not require too much of maintenance. The cotton fabric also offers a variety of unique properties which can be further altered to make fabrics with enhanced qualities.

The fabric is treated with chemicals to give it features like water resistance, flame retardant, mildew resistant and much more. With these enhanced features, the cloth is suitable to be used to make products that cater to the needs of the cement industry, healthcare, apparel, steel industry, etc. It is utilized to make products as varied as Industrial Filter and Filter Bags to hospital gloves and baby wipes. Such flexibility and durability is offered by no other fabric that the cotton cloth.

Let us have a look at the various types of cotton and its uses:

• Canvas:

The canvas fabric is a heavy, highly durable plain weave fabric used to make hammocks, tents, sails for yachts and boats, boat covers and other products. It is also used in sports gear, bags and sneakers etc.

• Denim:

Used to make apparels like belts, bags, hats, clothes, jackets, jeans, boots etc. it is a sturdy and long lasting fabric woven with a grey, indigo or a white mottled yarn. It suits both- workwear and Playwear. It fades over use for a long time.

• Plaid:

It is a very popular style of cotton that has been around since the 1500s. Mainly utilized to make coats, shirts and dresses, these came in patterns like argyle, gingham, Madras and windowpanes.

• Gabardine:

Compactly woven and durable, it is a popular choice to make suiting and outerwear. This fabric is hard wearing and water resistant.

From shirts to shoes and tents & teepees to masks and gloves, cotton fabric offer ample scope of application among products and industries.