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All About Fabrics

Fabric Detail

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FABRIC FOR TSHIRTS?

 

Cotton - This is the most popular t-shirt fabric due to its breathability, softness, and comfort. It's great for everyday wear and comes in various types like combed cotton, organic cotton, and Pima cotton.

  1. Polyester: A synthetic fabric known for its durability and moisture-wicking properties, making it ideal for athletic wear

  2. Cotton/Polyester Blends: These blends combine the best of both worlds, offering the softness of cotton and the durability of polyester

  3. Tri-Blends: A mix of cotton, polyester, and rayon, tri-blends are known for their softness, stretch, and vintage look

  4. Rayon: This semi-synthetic fabric is lightweight and has a silky feel, often used in t-shirts for its drape and comfort

  5. Linen: Known for its breathability and coolness, linen is a great choice for hot weather

  6. Bamboo: An eco-friendly option, bamboo fabric is soft, breathable, and has natural antibacterial properties

  7. Hemp: Another eco-friendly fabric, hemp is durable and becomes softer with each wash

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TYPES OF COTTON TSHIRTS? ​

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  1. Combed Cotton: This type of cotton is combed to remove short fibers and impurities, resulting in a softer and stronger fabric

  2. Ring-Spun Cotton: Made by continuously twisting and thinning the cotton strands, this process creates a finer, smoother, and more durable fabric compared to regular cotton

  3. Organic Cotton: Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, organic cotton is an eco-friendly option that is soft and breathable

  4. Pima Cotton: Known for its extra-long fibers, Pima cotton is exceptionally soft, durable, and resistant to pilling

  5. Slub Cotton: This cotton has a unique texture with slight lumps and an uneven appearance, giving t-shirts a more casual and vintage look

  6. Supima Cotton: A superior type of Pima cotton grown in the USA, Supima cotton is known for its softness, strength, and vibrant color retention.​

  7. Basic cotton.

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BASIC COTTON AND COMBED/SPUN COTTON?

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  1. Basic Cotton:

    • Processing: Basic cotton is made from raw cotton fibers that are spun into yarn without any additional processing.

    • Texture: It can be slightly rougher and may contain impurities or shorter fibers.

    • Durability: Generally less durable compared to combed cotton.

    • Cost: More affordable due to minimal processing.

  2. Combed Cotton:

    • Processing: Combed cotton undergoes an additional step where the cotton fibers are combed to remove shorter fibers and impurities.

    • Texture: Smoother, softer, and more uniform in texture.

    • Durability: More durable and stronger due to the removal of weaker fibers.

    • Cost: Slightly more expensive due to the extra processing involved.

In summary, combed cotton offers a higher quality fabric with a softer feel and greater durability, while basic cotton is more economical and widely available

 

Each type of cotton offers different benefits, so the best choice depends on your preferences for comfort, durability, and environmental impac

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WHY DO SOME SHIRTS PILL?

Pilling occurs when groups of short or broken fibers on the surface of the fabric become tangled together in a tiny knot or ball. Here are some common reasons why your shirt might pill:Fabric Type: Fabrics made from shorter fibers, like cotton, are more prone to pilling because there are more fiber ends that can get tangled together

 

1.Abrasion: Pilling often happens in areas of the shirt that experience the most friction, such as under the arms, around the collar, and on the sides.

 

2.Washing and Drying: The agitation during washing and drying can cause fibers to break and tangle, leading to pilling.

Washing clothes inside out and using a gentle cycle can help reduce this.

 

3.Fiber Blends: Shirts made from blended fabrics, such as cotton/polyester blends, can pill because the weaker fiber tends to break and tangle around the stronger fiber.

 

4.To minimize pilling, you can wash your clothes inside out, use a gentle cycle, and avoid overloading the washing machine. Additionally, using a fabric shaver or a lint roller can help remove pills that have already formed.

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WHAT IS PERFORMANCE FABRIC?

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Performance fabric is typically made from a combination of synthetic and natural fibers, designed to enhance durability, comfort, and functionality. Here are some common materials used:

  1. Polyester: Known for its strength, durability, and moisture-wicking properties, polyester is a staple in performance fabrics

  2. Nylon: Offers excellent abrasion resistance, smooth texture, and moisture management

  3. Spandex (Elastane): Provides flexibility and stretch, allowing for better movement and comfort

  4. Polypropylene: Lightweight and moisture-wicking, often used in athletic wear

  5. Acrylic: Adds warmth and is often blended with other fibers for enhanced performance

  6. Natural Fibers: Blends of cotton, wool, and bamboo are sometimes used to improve comfort and sustainability

These materials are often treated with specialized finishes to enhance their performance, such as antimicrobial treatments, UV protection, and water-repellent coatings

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WILL MY COTTON SHIRT SHRINK?

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Yes, cotton shirts can shrink, especially if they are not pre-shrunk. Cotton is a natural fiber that shrinks when exposed to heat, water, or agitation. 

How much does cotton shrink? 

  • Preshrunk cotton: Shrinks around 2–5% when washed

  • Non-preshrunk cotton: Can shrink up to 20% when washed, depending on the garment

How to prevent cotton shirts from shrinking: 

  • Air-dry cotton shirts

  • Buy high-quality, pre-shrunk cotton clothing

  • Follow the care instructions on the label

  • Use cold water when washing

  • Turn cotton shirts inside out to protect the outside of the garment

  • Avoid drying cotton shirts on high heat

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