Fiber: A Relevant Fiber to Today's Society

When asked, “What fiber are clothes made of?”, I’m sure most people would answer “Cotton”. I believe that cotton is one of the most relevant fibers in our world today. But to truly get a firm grasp of this widely used fiber, one must ask the question, “Why use cotton for apparel?”

Cotton is grown on a plant in staple form. However, it has seeds woven into in it when it is harvested. To remove the seeds, the cotton must go through a process called ginning, in which a machine takes the seeds out to leave just the soft fiber. Believe it or not, the fiber is not even close to being that souvenir t-shirt or favorite pair jeans yet.

Once the seeds are removed, the cloud-like fiber is then taken through a manufacturing process that lines up the fibers parallel to each other. At this point, cotton can then be spun into yarn. Once it is spun into yarn, it can then we woven into the fabric that is the foundation for many of today’s fabrics.

This fiber is very attractive for fabrics because it possesses so many desirable qualities. It releases dirt easily and is fairly resistant to scrapes and scuffs which is ideal for the average working American. Cotton is also pleasing to look at due to the fact that it absorbs vibrant colors easily. One cannot forget one of the most enviable qualities that cotton fabrics possess. This feature is the soft, comfortable feel that it has to offer. These characteristics make cotton a very sought-after fiber when it comes to apparel.

 Cotton has become very advantageous to our society. It has many vast qualities to offer to ensure that a person looks good and feels comfortable in what they are wearing. Now that you are informed about the uses for cotton in apparel, just think about all the other places it shows up in our day-to-day lives.