cotton

Cotton has been an important crop for a very long time in both the 'Old World' (Africa, Europa, Asia and the South Pacific) and in the 'New World' (the Americas, North and South). Discoveries of textile scraps from excvations at Indus Valley Culture sites in Modern Pakistan attest to the use of cotton there nearly 3000 years B.C. These scraps are clearly the work of experienced craftspeople with advanced technical skills which implies that the tradition and development of the cotton industries there are of much earlier origin. Similar finds of simple cotton textiles have been made in grave sites and caves in highland Peru and Mexico date to between 2500 and 3000 B.C. Although cotton has been widely 'improved' through breding and selection, the cotton fibres of modern production are remarkably similar to those unearthed by archaeologists.

Cotton Fibers grow in a twisted form which makes them relatively easy to spin into strong thread. Each fibre is made up of one single cell, 1000-5000 times longer than it is wide. The length of th ecotton is determined by plant genetic, agricultural and environmental factors. Short-hair cottons have an average length of 20-25mm and are largely traditional varieties from the old world. Long-hair and extra long-hair cottons yield fibres up to and over 50mm and have been developed from hybrids of Central- and South American cotton varieties.

cotton fibers

Cotton is King,the most produced and most consumed of all natural fibres. Cotton's soft, flexible qualities and its unique ability to regulate moisture and warmth make it first choice material for many industries. Few can deny the fundamental comfort of cotton in it's most recogniseable form, 'jeans and T-shirt', simple fashion and skin-friendly uniform of the American West.