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Non-mercerized, larger diameter thread (yarn) is used for crochet and rug-making. Non-mercerized cotton yarn is the material of "natural cotton" fabrics that many textile consumers have returned to for the beautiful ecru coloration, their workability, their wearability and the ease of keeping them clean. Crocheted garments from the soft, untreated cotton yarn drape beautifully and provide both style and comfort.
When natural cotton threads are used for weaving fabric, they are often set in a sparser pattern than the fabrics that are made from the mercerized threads. And of course, we have a different name for the material that is produced: muslin. Muslin has a coarser texture than percale, but it is actually a more comfortable fabric for bodily wear because of its breathability. It is also preferred over percale for dish towels because of its ability to take up water quickly. Dish towels are often set in a twill weave instead of plain weave. Pick up a dish towel and look for the tiny diamond patterns. Generations of babies in America were happier and healthier, thanks to "bird's eye" woven diapers. The bird's eye pattern is an old weaving pattern that puts more air in the cloth. Our world would not be the same place without cotton knits for baby wrappings of all kinds, for our most intimate wear and for any use where elasticity is a desirable quality. What would we do with T-shirts? Canvas is the industrial strength cotton fabric that is used for tents, sails and tarpaulins. It is plain-woven of heavy yarn and set in a dense pattern of one-over, one-under, and then treated with oil or plastic resins to make it weather proof. From baby diapers to surgeon's gowns, yacht sails to pocket handkerchiefs, cotton is indeed the manufactured fabric of life. For more information on cotton, see http://www.itc.ttu.edu and http://cottongroupsusa.com Go To Page: 1 2 |
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