36 Types of Cotton Fabric and Uses TREASURIE (2025)

Last Updated on October 1, 2024 by Luisa Clare

Learn about the types of cotton. Cotton is easily the most widely used fabric around the world.In its 100% pure state, it does not contain any additives.It is also very compatible with other blends, and cotton makes up a huge range of different types of fabrics.Cotton is strong and absorbent and has been part of the clothing and fabric industry for a long time.

Types of Cotton Tutorial

What is Cotton?

Cotton comes from plant material.The cotton boll grows on the cotton plant and is put through various cleaning processes until the cotton strands are taken and spun into yarn to weave cotton fabric.Seventy-five percent of the world's clothing is made from cotton.

Different Types of Cotton Fabric by Processing

Raw cotton fabric refers to a textile material that is made directly from the unprocessed fibers of the cotton plant. In its 'raw' state, the cotton has not undergone extensive processing or bleaching. It retains its natural color, which is typically off-white or slightly cream and may contain natural impurities and cotton seeds

The term staple refers to the thread length and can be categorized into short, long, or extra long. The quality of the thread is not solely determined by the length of the staple, but also by the way it's spun and the quality of the raw material. However, the length of the fiber is a significant factor in the overall quality and characteristics of the finished fabric.

1. Short Staple

Short staple cotton is a rough cotton suitable for everyday use. Due to the short length of the fibers, these fabrics feel coarse and can be prone to pilling. Of course the advantage of short staple types of cotton is that they are less expensive to produce.

2. Long Staple

Long staple cotton fabrics are smoother and softer to wear than its short counterparts. The longer fibers mean that the fabric is more resistant to pilling and is stronger and more durable than short-staple fabrics.

3. Extra long staple

A luxurious and soft type of cotton that is comfortable to wear. Egyptian and Pima cotton are types of extra-long staple cotton that are scientifically verified and will have undergone tests to prove they are of that high quality and standard.

4. Egyptian Cotton

Egyptian cotton is an extra-long staple cotton that is exceptionally soft, strong, and durable. Because of this, it is considered the most luxurious. Grown primarily in the Nile River Valley in Egypt, this type of cotton makes superior high thread count fabrics which are popular for sheets and bedding.

5. Pima Cotton

Pima is another extra-long staple fabric. A very hard-wearing, durable cotton that is mostly grown in the United States, Peru, and Australia. As it is resistant to pilling, it is often used for high-end towels, sheets, and clothing.

6. Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is a type of cotton grown without any synthetic chemicals like fertilizer or pesticides. Instead, it uses farming methods with low environmental impact to sustain the health of the soil and people coming into contact with its products.

Types of Cotton by Weight

The different types of cotton fibers are blended or woven in different ways to produce a variety of cotton fabrics.These fabrics are classified according to their weight.

There are several categories, from lightweight to medium weight and heavyweight, and grades in between.Listing according to the grade of the fabric helps with the choice, as different weights make fabrics suited for different tasks.The weight of the fabric is also a determining factor in its laundering procedure.

Lightweight Types of Cotton Fabric

Lightweight cotton fabric is especially used in the garment industry as it is easy to sew and makes comfortable clothing for warmer weather.

7. Cheese Cloth

Cheesecloth is a soft, loosely woven cotton fabric.It has a rough texture to the finished cloth and is used for blouses, shirts, and skirts.Cheesecloth types of cotton fabric need hand washing and a warm iron.

8. Crinkle Cotton

Crinkle cotton, also known as crepon, is an intentionally creased cotton.It may be pure cotton or a blend, but it is known because of the creased effect of the fabric.Crinkle cotton may be used for shirts, skirts, or dresses.It can be machine washed and then twisted and left to dry.The twist puts the creases back into the fabric.

9. Gingham

Gingham, a hard-wearing fabric, is often used for children’s clothing and tableware.The fabric weave includes color and white to make up the checked pattern.It can be made of a poly-cotton and is machine washable.

10. Madras Cotton

Madras types of cotton are light cotton made of mixed colors and patterns.It can be handwoven.Madras cotton creases easily and is used for casual clothing and needs to be hand-washed and ironed with a hot iron.

11. Lawn Cotton

Lawn, crisp and smooth, is a plain cotton used for blouses, children’s clothing, and underwear.It is a delicate fabric and needs a gentle wash and a warm iron.

12. Muslin

Muslin is an unbleached plain weave fabric.The weave is long and loose, and the fabric is often used for interfacing or for a test garment to try out a new pattern.Muslin may be used for straining juices and jellies.It should be machine-washed and ironed with a cool iron.

13. Poly Cotton

Poly/cotton is a blend of polyester and cotton.The proportions can be 50/50% or 65/35%, depending on the manufacturers.It is easy to care for and sews up well.

14. Seersucker

Seersucker has an interesting puckered texture.These types of cotton are woven with stripes of plain fabric and puckered fabric to crease and give the seersucker effect.It is machine washable in cold water.Ironing is not necessary because of the puckered effect of the fabric.

15. Shirting Cotton

Shirting cotton is a crisp, lightweight cotton.The fabric is woven in stripes or check patterns.It is widely used for men’s shirts and is treated like poplin.Cotton shirting sews up easily and is machine washable.

16. Silk Cotton

Silk cotton mix is a lightweight fabric that combines the soft drape of silk with a cotton weave.It is suited for dresses and blouses.This fabric needs a gentle hand or machine wash.It can be dry cleaned and needs a warm iron on the wrong side of the fabric.

17. Voile

Voile is a very lightweight, see-through fabric.It may be plain or printed and is very soft.Voile gathers and drapes well.It makes beautiful gathered skirts and flowing dresses.The seams need to be made as neatly as possible because they show through the fabric. French seams are recommended.Voile needs a gentle wash and a cool iron to preserve this delicate fabric.

18. Broderie Anglaise

Broderie Anglaise is also known as eyelet because of the cut-out embroidered holes.It is pure cotton or a cotton mix but always light to the touch.This soft fabric is machine washable and used for dresses, tops, and nightwear.It must be ironed with a warm iron on the wrong side.

Medium Weight Types of Cotton

19. Linen/Cotton

Linen/cotton blend is a soft, light to medium weight fabric.It is often made up of 50% cotton and 50% linen and can be a little bit rough on the skin.It is useful for many different sewing projects like aprons, tunics, skirts, dresses and shirts as well as jackets.This fabric can be machine washed and needs a hot iron on the back, while it is still damp, for the best results.

20. Brushed Cotton

Brushed types of cotton are also known as flannel or flannelette.One side of the fabric is brushed to make it soft to the touch.It comes in all colors, prints, florals, and stripes.Flannelette is useful for warm linings, children’s pajamas, and warm bed linen.It is machine washable and best ironed with a hot iron on the wrong side of the fabric.

21. Calico

Calico is a coarse fabric with a plain weave.It is often used to test patterns for sizing.Calico can be machine-washed and needs a hot iron.

22. Poplin

Poplin is a tightly woven fabric that is easy to sew.It is very versatile and can be made up into shirts, dresses, and blouses.Poplin may be pure cotton or a polyester blend.Poplin is machine washable and should be pressed with a pressing cloth and a hot iron.

23. Quilting Cotton

Quilting cotton is also known as patchwork print or craft cotton. Quilting cotton can be used for many different projects, including clothing, home decor, and small sewing projects.It is a closely woven fabric that is machine washable and needs a warm iron.

24. Chambray

Chambray is an easy-to-sew, hard-wearing fabric.It is usually light blue in color and looks like denim, but it is lighter weight.Chambray makes up beautifully into shirts, dresses, blouses, and children’s clothing. It can be machine-washed and needs a hot iron.

25. Cotton Velvet

Cotton velvet or cotton velour is a cotton fabric with a silky pile on the right side.This pile brushes smoothly in one direction.It is an expensive fabric that needs to be dry cleaned.Use a warm iron on the wrong side with a pressing cloth and steam only to keep the pile soft and fluffy.

26. Chino

Chino can be called drill and is a strong fabric with a twill weave and slight shine.Chino is usually beige, navy, or black.It makes up well into work clothes, trousers, and uniforms needing to be hard-wearing.Chino is machine washable in hot water and needs a hot iron.

27. Chintz

Chintz is a hard-wearing fabric with a close weave.Chintz is made up of florals, bright colors, and patterns.It is mainly used for soft furnishings and upholstery.The fabric is dry-cleanable and should be ironed on the wrong side with a warm iron.

28. Moleskin

Moleskin is a medium to heavyweight fabric with a fine nap on one side.This creates a soft brushed texture.Moleskin is made up into skirts, trousers, and jackets.It can be machine-washed and ironed on the wrong side with a warm iron.

29. Sateen or Satin

Sateen, or satin, is a soft cotton with a smooth texture and a sheen on the top. It makes up beautifully into dresses and skirts.Sateen may be machine-washed and ironed on the wrong side with a warm iron.

30. Ticking

Ticking is a strong twill weave types of cotton fabric.Ticking is woven in stripes.Usually dark blue, red or green on a cream background.It is a cotton or cotton blend and is used for mattress covers.Ticking is also popular for aprons and cushions, as well as bags.It is machine washable and needs a hot iron on the wrong side while it is still damp.

31. Damask

Damask has a satin weave mixed with cotton to create patterns in the fabric. It has a slight shine because of the satin used in the weave.Damask is used for soft furnishings and table linen.It has been used for jackets, too.The fabric needs to be dry cleaned or hand washed and pressed with a warm iron on the wrong side.

32. Cotton Jersey

Jersey or cotton knit is a stretch fabric.Cotton knit is used for T-shirts, tops and dresses and especially for sportswear.Sewing cotton knit requires a ballpoint needle and a zigzag stitch setting to accommodate the stretch of the fabric.It is a versatile fabric and can be machine-washed.

Heavy Weight Types of Cotton

Heavy-weight types of cotton are used for items that need durability, warmth, or a heavier feel.

33. Toweling

Toweling is a very absorbent fabric that is made with uncut loops of thread on the surface.Cotton toweling is ideal for blankets, bath robes, beachwear, and towels and makes beautiful bath robes.It washes well in a machine and needs a hot iron.

34. Canvas

Canvas is a plain weave, durable cotton.Cotton canvas is very strong and used to make sails.Softer versions of canvas make bags, tunics, and outdoor furnishings.Canvas can be machine washed and need a hot iron.It is best to iron while it is still damp.

35. Corduroy

Corduroy can be called cord, baby cord, and needle cord.This fabric is known for the ribs or cords in the weave.The number of ribs per inch on the fabric is known as wales.The lower the wale number, the thicker the width of the wale. A 4-wale is thicker than an 11-wale.Corduroy is a warm fabric with ridges running lengthwise.It can be machine washed and ironed with a warm to hot iron on the wrong side of the material.

36. Denim

Denim is a heavyweight fabric that can be medium to heavyweight. It is used for hard-wearing work clothes, jeans, and outdoor furnishings.It is durable and washes well.The color may run, so it is important to wash denim separately.

Types of Cotton - In Conclusion

Cotton from the cotton plant is grown all over the world.The fibers come from one of the best natural resources and nothing goes to waste.The ball is made into cotton fabric, the seeds are used for animal feed, the cotton seed makes oil, and the stalks go back into the soil for the next crop.When you buy different types of cotton, you are contributing to the manufacture of one of nature's best natural resources.

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