Cotton

by Sierra Neale

A fiber is the smallest division of a thread or yarn. Thread is an assemblage of fibers/filaments into a continuous strand to be used for fabric construction via weaving or knitting for example. Whereas thread is a subset of yarn that is stronger, always plied (multiple strands), finished and used for sewing.

There are staple fibers(short) and filament fibers(long/continuous). There are different types of fibers, and under the natural fiber category there are cellulosic and protein fibers. Cellulosic fibers are derived from plants and protein fibers from animals for example wool, silk, and hair/fur. Some of the common traits found in cellulosic fibers are absorbency, easy dyeing, and a soft hand feel. The most popular and commonly used cellulosic fiber in soft home is cotton as it is a very versatile fiber from which a wide arrange of fabric qualities can be achieved.

Cotton is a seed-hair fiber derived from cotton plants. Seed hair fiber means that the fiber comes from the area surrounding the seed of the plant and ginning is process in which the seeds are separated from the cotton fibers.

Cotton fibers are classified by staple length:

  • Long staple length
  • Standard/Medium staple length
  • Short staple length

The longer the staple length the finer and lustrous the yarns made from those fibers will be while shorter staple cottons tend to be coarser.

Mercerized Cotton is named after John Mercer who was an English chemist who experimented with dyes and fabric. Mercerized cotton is stronger smoother and shinier than untreated cotton. Mercerization involves soaking the cotton in a high pH solution and stretching the fibers. 

BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton is certified to have been sustainably farmed and sourced.

Organic cotton is defined as cotton organically grown without genetic modification, chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides.

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) ensures that the organic cotton used in any product with this certification meets the internationally recognized standards for organic cotton.

Recycled Cotton is the use of second hand fabrics and cotton scraps from production broken down into fibers again then re-spun into yarn for weaving new fabric.

Pima cotton, Egyptian cotton and Sea Island cotton are all derived from the Gossypium Barbadense species of long stapled cotton that is known to be finer, durable and soft due to the long staple length. The difference between Pima, Egyptian and Sea Island Cotton the slight differences in these fibers behaviours despite their common scientific name is due to the different climates in which the cotton plants are grown.

Supima cotton is a long staple cotton grown in the USA.

Turkish cotton is a long staple cotton grown in Turkey, it is known for its absorbency and soft fluffy hand feel. Turkish cotton is commonly used for flannel sheets and towels.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified has become one of the most known labels for textiles tested for harmful substances. According to Oeko-tex If an item carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component of it has been tested for harmful substances and that it contains no chemicals or substances harmful to human health.

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At LinensNow we offer a wide range of cotton products from sheets, comforters and duvet cover to towel, throws, decorative pillows and much more.

 Our brand Reborn features products that are made using recycled fibers including the fill used in the comforters! 

Reborn Montauk Recycled Fiber Reversible Comforter Set is made of 100% recycled materials, 52% recycled cotton, 48% recycled polyester with 100% recycled microgel polyester fill. Montauk is made of a percale weave with a cool, crisp, and lightweight feel that is perfect for year-round use.  It is reversible with one side featuring a yarn-dyed stripe, and the other side featuring a coordinating heather reverse.

The Reborn Montauk comforter can be coordinated with the Reborn Recycled Fiber Percale Sheet Sets.

Our Reborn Percale BCI Cotton & Recycled Polyester Sheet Set  is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.  Not only are these sheets soft but also responsibly made with 52% BCI Cotton, 48% Recycled Polyester.

Our  Brielle Home 300 Thread Count  and  400 Thread Count sheets  are not only 100% cotton but also OEKO-TEX® certified and have smooth a hand feel that gets softer after each wash similar to our premium Brielle Home 600 Thread Count 100% Cotton Sateen Sheets.

 

Visit our Percale vs. Sateen post to learn more about the different characteristics these two types of fabrics have.

The Brielle Home 100% Cotton Flannel Sheet Sets are breathable but still keep you comfortable, warm and cozy during the cooler months.

The  Brielle Home Darren 100% Cotton Waffle Blanket.  This blanket is perfect for all seasons, and looks great both on its own and or layered. It is garment dyed and garment washed for a soft hand feel. It is also pre-shrunk to reduce the amount of shrinkage that can often occur with waffle woven fabrics.

Our OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified Brielle Home Marisol 100% Cotton Comforter Set is crafted of a lightweight diamond matelassé fabric with a botanic floral print on the face and a solid white 100% cotton percale reverse.  The Marisol Comforter set pairs well with many of our Brielle Home decorative pillows.

Also featured here are the Lennon and Milo throw pillows which are both 100% cotton as well as our Velvet throw pillow in Mustard.

The Brielle Home Lennon Throw Pillow is rectangular and features textured, dimensional stripes and the Milo Throw Pillow with Tassels has a white base with mustard yellow decorative stitching on the face and tassels on all four corners. The thicker yarn used for the decorative elements gives the pillow a soft and fuzzy texture. 

The Brielle Home Grayson 6-Piece Towel Set is a heavier weight of 630gsm for extra softness and absorbency. These modern classic towels feature a subtle, textured weave, are 100% Turkish cotton, made in Turkey and are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.


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