Cotton Classification

The United States classes 100% of its cotton bales. Learn more about USDA cotton classification.

Cotton Fiber Harvesting and Ginning

The first step in cotton processing is harvesting, and, for the farmers, it’s an important and personal process.

Cotton Fiber Qualities and Evaluation

Learn about the combination of instrument evaluations and skilled cotton classer assessments used to determine cotton fiber properties.

Cotton Fiber Development & Maturation

Cotton plant development occurs in specific stages of reproductive growth and cotton plant development must be optimized for ideal fiber production.

Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers: Classification, Qualities and Life Cycle

Whether you work in agriculture, fashion or manufacturing, knowing cotton fiber is the right choice isn’t always enough. Get the science.

Dyeing Preparation

Learn about the dyeing process, including “Scouring”, “Bleaching”, “Mercerizing”, and “Final Steps.”

Sustainable Denim Processing

Brands and consumers are looking for more sustainable options without sacrificing the look and feel that consumers love about their favorite jeans.

The Art of Dyeing

Learn about color, basic principles, fiber reactive dyes, direct dyes, vat dyes, sulfur dyes, and pigments.

Made in the USA: Knit Fabric Mills

Looking for your link in knit fabric? Here are a few options of knit cotton fabric mills in the USA.

Made in the USA: Woven Fabric Mills

Looking for your link in woven fabric? Here are a few options of woven cotton fabric mills in the USA.

Made in the USA: Yarn Spinners and Dyers

Looking for your link in yarn spinning or dyeing? Here are a few options of cotton yarn spinners and dyers in the USA.

Technical Education

Gain insight into the unique world of nonwovens with topics such as raw material, the global market, structure, technologies, and common end uses.

Marketing Resources

Discover why cotton is the right choice for various nonwoven markets and products.

Sourcing Directories

Connect with suppliers of various types of cotton fiber, nonwoven materials, or converted nonwoven products.

The Art of Printing: Overview

Learn about “History”, “Preparation”, “Fiber”, “Yarn”, and “Fabric.”

Webinars

Watch the recordings of recent webinars on global feminine hygiene and the adult incontinence market.

The Art of Sweater Manufacturing: Dyeing and Finishing Processes

Learn about “Preparation”, “Dyeing”, “Finishing”, and “Steaming/Shaping Garment.”

Made in the USA: Commission Dyers and Finishers

Looking for your link in dyeing and finishing? Here are a few options of commission dyers and finishers for cotton in the USA.

Advances in Sustainable Dyeing

Discover new ways to reduce water, energy, and chemicals during the dyeing process.

Denim Manufacturing: History

Learn about the “History” of Denim Manufacturing.

The Basics of Yarn Manufacturing: The Beginnings of Yarn

Learn about “History” and “Fiber Selection.”

The Basics of Yarn Manufacturing: Preparation

Learn about “Drawing”, “Combing”, and “Roving.”

The Basics of Yarn Manufacturing: Opening through Carding

Learn about “Opening”, “Cleaning”, “Batt Formation” and “Carding.”

The Basics of Yarn Manufacturing: Spinning Process

Learn about “Ring Spinning”, “Rotor Spinning”, “Air Jet Spinning”, “Yarn Numbering”, “Yarn Twist” and “Yarn Plying.”

Basic Woven Designs – Introduction to Woven Fabrics

Learn the basics of successful engineering of cotton woven fabrics – basic weaving terminology, basic constructions, and loom types.

Woven Basics

Learn about “Why Wovens are Unique”, and “Warping, Slashing, Drawing-in and Tying-in.”

Designing Wovens

Learn about “Defining the Product”, “Technical Design”, and “Design Implications.”

Basic Weaves

Learn about “Plain Weaves”, “Twill Weaves”, and “Satin Weaves.”

The Art of Sweater Manufacturing: Manufacturing

Learn about “Cut and Sew”, “Panel Knitting”, “Full Fashion”, and “Knit to Wear Garment”.

The Art of Sweater Manufacturing: Design Developments

Learn about “Construction”, “Color Consideration”, “Product Target”, and “Computer Aided Design".

The Art of Sweater Manufacturing: Basics

Learn about “History and Evolution”, “Knitting Fundamentals”, and “Machinery”.

The Art of Sock Manufacturing: Testing

Learn about “Fit”, “Stretch”, “Abrasion Resistance”, “Pilling”, “Strength”, “Crocking”, “Lightfastness”, and "Colorfastness".

The Art of Sock Manufacturing: Inspection and Packaging

Learn about “Inspection and Packaging”.

The Art of Sock Manufacturing: Dyeing and Finishing

Learn about “Overview”, “Rotary Drum Machines”, “Paddle Machines”, “Extraction”, “Continuous Scour and Bleach”, “Dyeing”, “Finishing”, and “Boarding".

The Art of Sock Manufacturing: Sock Components

Learn about “Sock Overview”, “Welt Formation”, “Heel Pocket Formation”, “Cushioning”, “Reinforcement”, “Patterning”, and "Yarn For Socks".

The Art of Sock Manufacturing: Stitch Formations

Learn about “Stitch Counts” and “Types of Stitches”.

The Art of Sock Manufacturing: Sock Knitting Basics

Learn about “Overview”, “Machine Components”, “Knitting Cylinder”, “Knitting Needle Cycle (part 1 & 2)”, and “Machine Types (part 1-3)".

The Art of Sock Manufacturing: History of Sock Manufacturing

Learn about the “History” of Sock Manufacturing.

The Art of Garment Manufacturing: Quality Control

Learn about “Fabric Quality and Systems”, and “Inspection”.

The Art of Shrinkage Control: Shrinkage Testing

Learn about “Shrinkage Testing.”

The Art of Shrinkage Control: Knit Fabric Shrinkage

Learn about “Fundamentals of Knit Fabric Shrinkage”, “Knitting Parameters”, “Dyeing and Finishing Parameters”, and “Chemical Finishing.”

The Art of Shrinkage Control: Shrinkage Basics

Learn about “Impact of Shrinkage”, “Shrinkage Defined”, “Types of Shrinkage”, and “Physics of Shrinkage.”

The Art of Quality Testing: Care and Appearance

Learn about “Appearance”, “Colorfastness”, “Lightfastness”, “Rating Procedures”, “Dimensional Stability”

The Art of Quality Testing: Durability

Learn about “Strength”, “Abrasion Resistance”, and “Pilling.” 

The Art of Quality Testing: Construction

Learn about “Fiber”, “Yarn”, and “Fabric.”

The Art of Quality Testing: Product Sampling and Conditioning

Learn about “Product Sampling and Conditioning”.

The Art of Printing: Fundamentals

Learn about Printing Fundamentals, from basics to afterwashing.

The Art of Printing: Printing

Learn about everything from Flat-Bed Screen Printing to Digital Ink Jet Printing.

The Art of Printing: Special Techniques

Learn about “Resist Printing”, “Discharge Printing”, and “Transfer Printing.”

Printing Technique Comparison

Explore the comparisons between rotary printing, cool transfer printing, and digital printing.

Knit Basics

Learn about “Why Knits are Unique” and “Weft & Warp.”

Single Knits

Learn about “The Knitting Machine”, “Needle Action”, and “Knit, Tuck & Float Stitches.”

Double Knits

Learn about “Two sets of Needles”, “Rib Gaiting” and “Interlock Gaiting.”

Designing Knits

Learn about “Defining the Product”, “Technical Design”, and “Fabric Construction.”

The Art of Garment Manufacturing: Garment Construction

Learn about “Seams and Stitches Overview”, “T-Shirt Construction”, “Jean Construction” and “Dress-Shirt Construction”.

The Art of Garment Manufacturing: Markers, Spreading, and Cutting

Learn about “Pattern Engineering”, “Marker Making”, and “Cutting Methods”.

The Art of Garment Manufacturing: Garment Components

Learn about “Thread”, “Closures, Zippers, Buttons, Etc.”, “Findings and Trim” and “Shaping Materials”.

The Art of Garment Manufacturing: History of Garment Manufacturing

Learn about the “History” of Garment Manufacturing.

Stretch and Growth

The attribute of fabric stretch has associated properties that are as important as the stretch characteristic itself. 

The Art of Finishing: Preparation

Learn about “Scouring”, “Bleaching”, “Mercerizing”, and “Final Steps.”

The Art of Finishing: Mechanical Finishing

Learn about “Drying”, “Compaction”, “Calendering”, and “Sanding, Napping, and Shearing.”

The Art of Finishing: Chemical Finishing

Learn about “Softeners and Builders”, “Functional Chemistry”, and “Application Systems.”

Denim Manufacturing: Denim Basics

Learn about “Process Flow for Denim Manufacturing”, “Typical Denim Construction, Weaves, Weights", and "Non-conventional Denim Fabrics".

Denim Manufacturing: Yarn Processes

Learn about “Yarn Numbering”, “Yarn Spinning Systems”, “Warping”, “Dyeing”, and “Slashing".

Denim Manufacturing: Weaving Processes

Learn about “Drawing-in and Warp Tying”, “Yarn Flow”, and “Basic Weaving Motions".

Denim Garment Finishing: History

Learn about “History”of Denim Garment Finishing.

Denim Garment Finishing: Process Overview

Learn about “Basic Process” and “Premium Finish Process”.

Denim Garment Finishing: Garment Construction

Learn about “Spreading”, “Cutting”, and “Sewing”.

Denim Garment Finishing: Finishing Machinery

Learn about “Rotary machines”, “Extraction”, “Tumble Drying”, and “Pressing”.

Denim Garment Finishing: Dry Finishing

Learn about “Overview”, “Sanding”, “Brushing”, “Laser”, “Whiskering”, and “Special Effects”.

Denim Garment Finishing: Wet Finishing

Learn about “Overview”, “Desizing/Washing”, “Abrasive Color Loss”, “Color Discharge", and "Chemical Finishing".

Made in the USA: Cut and Sew Manufacturers

Looking for your link in cut and sew manufacturing? Here are a few options of cut and sew manufacturers for cotton in the USA.

Sourcing the Best Cotton Products: Understanding and Overcoming Skewing

Learn to improve the performance of your quality goods as textile expert Don Bailey delves into key textile techniques.

Sourcing the Best Cotton Products: Overcoming Shrinkage

Controlling shrinkage of textile and apparel products impacts the design and production planning in manufacturing or sourcing products.

Understanding & Overcoming Pilling

One of the most common complaints concerning product aesthetics and performance is that of pilling.

Sourcing Cotton: How Fiber Quality Impacts Your End Product

In this webinar, we will walk you through key aspects of choosing the right cotton fiber for your end product.

Consumers Speak: Apparel Changes that Impact Satisfaction

Join this webinar to learn how consumer reviews impact purchases and how apparel performance issues coupled with fabrication changes can adversely...

Cationic Cotton

Cationic cotton can transform your dyeing routine into an environmentally responsible and efficient process.

Basic Functions of the Weaving Loom

Learn about “Shedding”, “Filling Insertion”, “Beat-up” and “Warp Control.”

Advanced Quality Assurance: Performance & Stains

Oil and stain resistance are desirable attributes of fabrics—in the garments we wear to protect us, well, against ourselves!

Advanced Quality Assurance: Performance & Water

In the performance water chapter, testing is focused on the absorption of liquid and its movement on the surface of and/or through a fabric.