I. Batiste – This kind of fabric is very fine, soft, usually sheer cotton, often used for handkerchiefs, nightwear, and children’s dresses.
II. Broadcloth – It is a closely woven fabric. If you look closely, you’ll see tiny crosswise ribs.
III. Calico – This plain-woven cotton is usually printed with tiny floral designs.
IV. Cambric – It is tightly woven cotton, usually in solid colors, such as cambric blue. This fabric is used in apparel, especially casual shirts.
V. Canvas – This is heavyweight cotton, used for items that require strength, such as tote bags, knapsacks, and slipcovers.
VI. Chambray – It is finely woven cotton, usually with white and another color. The white is very subtle, used in the crosswise (warp) yarns. A chambray shirt, for instance, is usually pale blue, but if you look closely you will see the white yarn.
VII. Chino – This is popularized by the Gap! This is a cotton twill that has been pre-shrunk and mercerized. Most often used for sports pants and other sportswear.
VIII. Chintz – It is highly glazed cotton with a rich glossy finish. At Cranston, we call this “cransheen finish.” Chintz adds a decorator touch to home furnishings and is also great for dressier apparel.
IX. Corduroy – This is the cotton pile that has been cut and woven with wide or narrow ribs.
X. Denim – The workhorse of cotton! Very strong and similar to chambray, in that it is often made with white filling.
XI. Duck – This strong, durable cotton is used for projects that are meant to last, i.e. travel accessories, slipcovers, awnings, etc.
XII. Flannel – This fabric is very soft cotton, usually with a nap. Used often in babywear. For children and baby apparel, make sure it is flame retardant.
XIII. Gabardine – This can be cotton or wool. This is the twilled fabric that spans the seasons and is often used in jackets, skirts, and pants.
XIV. Gingham – It is yarn-dyed woven cotton, usually seen in the form of checks.
XV. Khaki – This is a strong cotton weave – used in uniforms and other items that require strength.
XVI. Lawn – This cotton lawn is a fine, crisp, combed cotton fabric, used in children’s wear, nightwear, and traditional quilting.
XVII. Madras – It is originally from India. Real madras is hand-loomed and dyed with vegetable dyes. Patterns are usually stripes or plaids.
XVIII. Muslin – This is very basic plain woven fabric. Depending on the type, muslin can be coarse or fine, dyed, or unbleached. The unbleached variety is often used for pattern making or test garments.
XIX. Percale – It is finely woven cotton, often used for sheets. The higher the thread count, the softer the hand.
XX. Pique – The cotton that has been woven with a raised, cord, or welt effect. Also called dobby weave.
XXI. Poplin – It is usually heavier weight cotton that has a very fine rib running from selvage to selvage.
XXII. Sateen – The cotton that has been woven with a satin weave.
XXIII. Seersucker – It is crinkly cotton fabric, most often used in summer sportswear.
XXIV. Terry – This is woven or knitted cotton pile with loops on one or both sides. Because of its absorbency, it is very often used for toweling.
XXV. Voile – It is crisp, sheer, lightweight cotton, used for formal wear.