Did You Know...
Did You Know... |
 What
is the origin of denim?
Two of the fabrics most symbolic of American fashion - chambray and denim
- are in reality French imports. A soft comfortable fabric with contrasting
colored and white yarns, chambray was first found in Chambrai, France.
Denim, originating in Nimes (as in "serge de Nimes"), was introduced
to this country via work pants designed for the mining industry by a Mr.
Levi Strauss.
What's the difference between cotton and
linen?
Natural fibers fall into two main groups: protein fibers, which come from
animals, and vegetable fibers which come from plants. The main ingredient
in all vegetable fibers is cellulose, a carbohydrate found in all plant
life. Both cotton and linen are vegetable fibers. Linen is made from the
flax plant, cotton is made from the cotton plant. |
Why is seersucker a traditional summer fabric?
A firmly woven cloth with parallel flat and puckered stripes, cotton seersucker
became popular in the 1930s for summer suits because the crisp, cool fabric
did not show wrinkles and could be laundered easily. |
 What
makes terry cloth towels so absorbent?
Most terry cloth is made with cotton because the absorbent fiber gets stronger
when wet and it can be sanitized in very hot water using strong bleach and
detergent without harm. Terry cloth is usually made with looped pile because
the loops act like very small sponges. Looped pile is also better able to
withstand the strain of rubbing, pulling twisting and tugging by the user.
Loosely twisted loops are softer and more absorbent than tightly twisted
loops, which produce a rougher fabric. Long pile is more absorbent than
short pile. Terry cloth is most absorbent when it has loops on both sides.
Cotton can absorb up to 27 times its own weight in water. |
Does cotton clothing have to be dry cleaned?
Cotton is easily laundered at home, but some fabrics and garments may be
dry cleaned instead. Watch out for: embossed designs, loose knit weaves
that snag easily, delicate embellished fabrics, linings, shoulder pads and
inner construction, special finishes that come out in the wash, and garments
that require professional pressing and finishing, such as starched oxford
shirts. |
How long has cotton been in use?
Cotton has been cultivated and used to make fabrics for a least 7,000 years.
It may have existed in Egypt as early as 12,000 B.C. Fragments of cotton
fabrics have been found by archeologists in Mexico (from 3500 B.C.), in
India (3000 B.C.), in Peru (2500 B.C.), and in the southwestern United States
(500 B.C.). |
Where is cotton grown?
In this country, cotton is grown in 17 states and is a major crop in 14.
The Cotton Belt spans the southern half of the United States, stretching
from Virginia to California. |
Is cotton still picked by hand?
Cotton is entirely machine harvested in the United States. |
Why do cotton and wool shrink when you wash them?
There are two kinds of shrinkage. Progressive shrinkage occurs when the
fiber itself shrinks. Wool fiber shrinks a little more each time it is washed,
which is why wool is usually dry cleaned. Relaxation shrinkage is when the
fabric shrinks. It is caused by the tension applied to yarns and fabrics
during construction. The tension is released when the fabric is washed or
steam pressed, causing it to shrink to its natural size. Most cotton fabric
shrinkage occurs during the first wash. |
 Where
does corduroy come from?
Corduroy, a pile fabric with a plain or twill weave and lengthwise ribs--called
"wales"--alternating with valleys, known as "races,"
made its debut back in the 1600's during the reigns of the Kings Louis'
of France. Because the sturdy and durable material was frequently worn by
outdoor servants at the royal palace, it was dubbed "cord du roi"
or "cloth of the king." It remained associated with livery and
the work clothes of agricultural laborers up until the 9th century, when
it became the fabric of choice for men's breeches, coats and hunting attire.
By the 20th century, corduroy was being used primarily for casual sportswear.
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What makes cotton wrinkle?
During wearing and cleaning, fabrics are temporarily distorted to accommodate
the stress of use. If the fabric does not recover its original shape, the
results are described as wrinkling. Untreated cotton fibers do not have
a permanent memory. The cellulose chains in the fiber move by breaking and
re-establishing hydrogen bonds. There are no natural forces to promote the
cellulose chains to return to their original configuration. |
What is wrinkle-resistant cotton?
This innovative fabric treatment works by strengthening the molecular "bridges"
that connect cellulose molecules in a cotton fiber. The special process
stabilizes the hydrogen bridges. This permits the fabric to retain its smooth
surface, even after numerous washings. The finish does not alter cotton's
durability, color clarity or natural absorbency.
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 Why
do sheets vary so much in price?
A single bed sheet can cost as little as 10 dollars or as much as one hundred.
Fiber content, thread count (and of course brand name) help determine the
price. Cotton sheets are soft, absorbent, breathable and offer the most
sleeping comfort. They are generally more expensive than cotton/polyester
blends and tend to last longer. Thread count refers to the number of threads
in one square inch of fabric. The higher the count, the softer and stronger
the fabric, and the finer the quality of the sheet. (Counts usually range
from 128 to 310.) Muslin, a simple weave, is a cotton sheeting fabric with
a thread count of fewer than 180. Percale is a closely woven cotton fabric,
usually made with combed yarns with a thread count of 180 or higher. Fabric
finishes and embellishments can affect cost. Mercerized cotton has been
treated with alkalis for a distinctive sheen; sanforized cotton has been
pre-shrunk; easy-care and wrinkle-resistant finishes are chemical treatments
intended to keep sheets looking smoother. Distinctive details such as hem
stitching, piping or eyelet trim are also factors contributing to cost.
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Which are more popular -- cotton briefs or boxers?
While cotton briefs still outsell boxers by a large margin, boxers are gaining
in popularity. In 1995, consumers purchased 41 million pairs of all-cotton
boxers, a 24.2 percent increase over 1994. Sales of 100% cotton boxers reached
$206.4 million, up from $176.2 million the year before. |
Are cotton panties more hygienic than synthetic ones?
Man-made fabrics don't provide the same ventilation that natural fibers
do. Because fungi flourish in dark, moist environments, constrictive, synthetic
garments can create an ideal habitat for yeast to multiply. All-cotton underpants
permit air to circulate below the waist. Due to its unique fiber structure,
cotton breathes and helps remove body moisture by absorbing it and wicking
it away from the skin. |
 What
are personal care products made from?
Many people purchase personal care products such as swabs, cosmetic puffs,
rounds or wipes and automatically assume they are made of cotton. They're
sometimes surprised to find that what they bought is actually made of rayon,
polyester or polypropylene. Although beauty aids made from other fibers
may look like cotton, they often don't perform as well. Unlike synthetics,
cotton has superior absorbency and a naturally textured surface that makes
it an effective cleanser. Because the fiber can withstand high temperatures,
it can be sterilized. In addition, cotton personal care products are "finish
free." Synthetics are often chemically treated to make the fiber suitable
for processing. Individuals with hypersensitive skin, prone to allergic
reactions, may prefer to stick with beauty aids made from natural fibers.
Cotton personal care products can be easily identified on retail shelves
by the distinctive Cotton Seal. |
Can wearing cotton socks help prevent athelete's foot?
The fungus that causes athletes foot infection incubates best in a dark,
moist environment, so the most important thing is to keep the foot dry.
Bulky synthetic socks contribute to feet perspiring more, creating the ideal
state for fungi to thrive. Nylon and rayon prevent evaporation. Cotton actually
absorbs wetness within the structure of the fiber. Water is drawn up through
the interior of the fiber, between its various layers or walls. |
Is there a completely "natural" feminine protection
product on the market?
Tampax Naturals 100% cotton tampons were created in response to
consumer demand for comfort, absorbency and leakage protection in a tampon
made from natural materials. The only leading sanitary protection product
- tampon or pad - to be made from all cotton, Tampax Naturals are environmentally
friendly; flushable and biodegradable. |
How can you pack cotton clothes so that they won't get all rumpled?
Cotton knit sweaters and tee-shirts can be rolled and placed in your suitcase
to prevent wrinkling. Garments made from woven cotton fabrics such as button-down
shirts and trousers should first be folded along their natural creases.
Then drape each garment across the suitcase so that the ends hang over the
sides. Alternate putting the top of each garment on the right and left side
so that the thickness remains uniform. Next, fold each item around the other,
alternating the overhang from right and left sides. By following the "inter-folding"
method of packing, your clothes cushion each other and are less likely to
get crumpled. |
What fiber do consumers buy the most?
Cotton is the single best selling fiber in America today, outselling all
man-made fibers combined.
Are khakis and chinos the same thing?
Once upon a time both chino and khaki were fabrics used in military uniforms;
today these words are used interchangeably to refer to the tan-colored
pants inspired by military looks.
Khaki is derived from a Hindu word that means "dust color."
Originally, khaki referred to a dull yellow-ish brown cotton or wool uniform
fabric used for its camouflage effect by the armed forces of England,
France and the U.S. since the mid 19th century; in World War
I, a green tint was added. Khaki work pants and jackets were adapted for
sports by men and women in the 1950s and 60s.
Chino has its roots in World War I when the U.S. army purchased this
durable cotton twill from China for use by soldiers in the Philippines.
In the late 1950s it was adapted by men and boys for school and general
wear, particularly for pants.
 How
did the T-shirt get its name?
One of the earliest prototypes for the T-shirt dates to 1880, when sailors
in the U.S. Navy were issued an elbow and hip length undershirt; when
laid out on flat surface, it resembled a…perfect "T".
This military undergarment was transformed over the next few decades,
and became a staple in civilian men’s wardrobes by the 1950s. In fact,
many of America’s favorite heartthrobs have been immortalized in the white
cotton T-shirt—brooding Marlon Brando, cool James Dean, seductive Elvis
Presley, and sultry Antonio Sabáto Jr., for example. Today the possibilities
are infinite for this humble cotton basic that is equally at home on farmers,
students, celebrities, super hunks and career women. |
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