Fabric cotton is an ancient natural fiber that continues to touch lives on a daily basis due to its many fine qualities. Cotton can be found commonly in clothing, home furnishings, industrial goods and personal products because of its comfort, durability and easy production.

Learning about cotton textiles and implementing them into your business can be very beneficial for many reasons including saving money, increased quality of products and care for the environment. Use the knowledge found with cotton fabric education and training in the following ways:

1. Stock your business inventory with the highest quality cotton textile merchandise.

2. Take advantage of the many qualities of cotton fabric for manufacture or design of products.

3. Cut overhead costs by using discount cotton fabric as an alternative to more expensive fabrics and textiles.

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Find information about cotton fabric qualities

Use online guides to learn about the variety of weights cotton fabric can be, from light and flowing to heavyweight and thick, a variety of weaves, which means how the fibers were woven together on the loom, and even a variety of blends with other fibers to maximize specific qualities of cotton for various uses. Learning about the various qualities and how to identify them will help you make informed decisions on fabric cotton for your business.

I recommend: Fabrics.net has an online comprehensive list of cotton blends and weaves with descriptions. Find a glossary of technical terms used to describe cotton by Agrocel Cotton.

Get cotton fabric information from trade associations

Cotton trade associations are a source for cotton importers, distributors, manufacturers, wholesalers and buyers to come together. Through these associations find cotton fabric education and training opportunities in terms of research publications, industry news, educational workshops and materials, and cotton textile trade events.

I recommend: Get a wealth of information from Cotton Board, including training CD-ROMs and educational workshops. Find many educational resources from the National Cotton Council like downloadable lessons on the production of cotton, recommended reference books, and a weekly newsletter.

Learn the history behind cotton textiles

Understand the impact cotton fabrics have had on the world economy and national trade, as well as the many uses and evolution of cotton over thousands of years with a history of cotton. From the ancient Egyptians to modern-day cotton knit fabric t-shirts and fashionable cotton print fabric, the long history of cotton proves the many great qualities of this diverse textile.

I recommend: Find a brief history or cotton on HartsFabric.com. Find the history of cotton from the New England Mercantile Group.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As more people and businesses place importance in being eco-friendly, organic cotton fabric is increasing in popularity as an alternative.

Cotton textiles are some of the most timeless and versatile textiles available on the market today, and they should be a part of your business's fabric arsenal no matter what area of the industry you're involved in.

Fabric cotton can be everything from casual to classic to trendy depending on which you choose and how you choose to use it, so obtaining as much cotton fabric information as you can is essential to running a fabric-based business.

When trying to learn the ins and outs of cotton fabric:

1. Investigate the latest trends and applications. Cotton is a natural fabric, and organic cotton in particular is in fashion now. Continuing to keep up on and take advantage of trends like this is always a good idea.

2. Try something different with your cotton textile inventory to get an edge on your competition. Think about searching out vintage cotton fabric, novelty cotton fabric or some other type that is not widely offered in your area in order to supply your customers with new and exciting products.

3. While it is great to be willing to take a risk and offer something new, don't forget those tried and true basic cotton fabrics either. Classics are always in style!

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Take the time to discover new movements and fads in the cotton textile industry

There are websites appearing nearly every day now featuring information on natural and organic fabrics, including organic cotton fabric. Remember that trends are constantly changing, so it is important to always keep yourself informed about what is currently popular in the fabric cotton market.

I recommend: Cotton Incorporated, the cotton industry's own website, gives quite a comprehensive list of suppliers for organic cotton fabric, organized by product type and through a company contact list. It is also possible to find wholesale cotton fabric suppliers and manufacturers, even if you are looking for an organic product. Websites that also offer the assistance of consultants, like Trade Key, are a great place to start your search.

Give your business a boost with unique vintage cotton fabric or other specialized cottons

Offering more than just basic cottons can give even the most stylish and fashionable of your customers something to talk about. By shopping online, you can discover a greater variety of such novelty cotton fabric suppliers for your business.

I recommend: Warm Biscuit Bedding Company is a really unique find. This company provides vintage cotton print fabric for bedding and other decorating purposes. If quilting is your business and passion, try ReproductionFabrics.com, a site specializing in vintage cotton quilting fabric from several different eras. If fashion and clothing is the sector of the industry you're attempting to service, check out Reprodepot Fabrics.

Buy classics, like cotton knit fabric, from discount cotton fabric suppliers to save money

Classic materials, like cotton knit fabric, are great supplies to try to purchase at a discount as they are more widely available than the specialized types of cotton mentioned above.

I recommend: Fabric Suppliers gives a list of various manufacturers and suppliers of cotton knit fabric, and the Fashion Fabrics Club supplies quite a large variety of cotton fabric and cotton knit fabric at low prices for purchase online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Expand your views (and your offerings) when it comes to cotton fabric. Customers today want more than just the basics, and providing yours with a wider variety of unique and unusual cotton textiles may be just what your business needs.

An important part of the process of introducing cotton fabrics to your business is learning to use the right cotton fabric key terms and technical jargon. Using the right cotton fabric terms is essential for communicating clearly with suppliers, customers and employees.

There are many facets to cotton fabric, and different forms of the natural fiber might be used in a wide variety of industries, including industrial cotton fabrics, personal products and retail. Understanding the following cotton fabrics key terms will provide direction in the search for the right cotton fabrics for your business.

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Cotton fabric weight

The weight of cotton fabric means the density of the fabric or the number of fibers woven into the fabric. It is measured by weight per square yard or meter and is classified as lightweight, medium weight or heavyweight.

I recommend: Find a list describing cotton fabrics and their different weights at Waechter's Fine Fabrics.

Organic cotton fabric

Organic cotton is processed from organically grown cotton plants and kept completely natural throughout the process, avoiding all chemical treatments and dyes. It is increasingly used for clothing and personal products.

I recommend: Visit the cotton industry's website, Cotton Incorporated, to read all about environmentally-friendly, organic cotton.

Cotton fabric blends

Cotton fabric is sometimes blended with other fibers by twisting them together during the weaving process. This produces a fabric that has qualities not natural to cotton such as stretch, durability or anti-wrinkle.

I recommend: Have a look through the various cotton blends at Robert Kaufman Fabrics, including bamboo, polyester and Lycra blends.

Cotton knit

Cotton knit fabric is lightweight, soft and stretchy cotton fabric that is commonly used in fashion for pieces such as t-shirts.

I recommend: Denver Fabrics offers a guide about cotton knit fabrics, their variations and how best to use them.

Vintage cotton fabric

Vintage cotton fabric is pre-1980 original fabric that usually somes in prints that evoke the styles of the time, and is usually quite popular for independent clothing designers and interior decorators.

I recommend: See some great examples of vintage retro cotton fabric dating as far back as the 1920s at Revival Fabrics.

Cotton fabric weave

The weave of a fabric indicates how the fabric is woven together on a loom. Some of the ways that cotton can be woven include twill, jacquard, seersucker and chambray.

I recommend: Have a look at a comprehensive list of the possible weaves of cotton fabrics at Fabrics.net.

Cotton has many uses from curtains and upholstery to clothing and crafts, but whatever your project, you must consider cotton fabric pricing and costs. When you're in the market for cotton fabric, look for wholesale cotton fabric for a better price.

Cotton fabric pricing and costs shouldn't be your only consideration, however. Most important is how the cloth will be used. Do you plan to make clothing? Then you might select a cotton knit fabric, a novelty cotton fabric, vintage cotton fabric, or organic cotton fabric. If you're making curtains or slipcovers, you'll need a heavier upholstery cotton.

1. Find out more information on cotton fabric so you can choose one that fits your needs.

2. Choose cotton print fabric that blends well with your solids and other patterns if you're quilting.

3. Look for discount cotton fabric online.

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Make sure you're buying a cotton fabric that suits your application

Cotton textile comes in different patterns and weaves, and each of these fabrics has a unique surface design. Knowing about fabric defects can save you the heartache of purchasing a poor quality fabric. Particularly if you're buying discount cotton fabric or leftovers, examine the fabric carefully for printing, weaving, pattern or finishing defects. Become familiar with the differences between yarn-dyed cotton (more expensive and usually more desirable) and printed cotton, which can produce more intricate designs, but does not have consistent color on both sides. Organic cotton is usually undyed.

I recommend: ReproductionFabrics.com offers yarn-dyed cottons for $7-9 a yard. The OnlineFabricStore.net advertises fabrics from a little over $3 a yard, but their organic cottons range from about $8-15 per yard.

Use color matching when purchasing cotton quilting fabric

When you're making a quilt, you will need to blend a variety of patterns and colors into one harmonious whole. If you already have some cotton on hand that you're planning to use, be sure to take fabric swatches with you to the store. Color memory is often faulty, and fluorescent lights make colors look different. Take the bolts to window and examine them in natural daylight before making your cotton purchase. If you're buying online, look for a color series that is sold together for the best match.

I recommend: Warm Biscuit carries a variety of printed and solid cottons suitable for quilting from about $9-12 a yard. They send free swatches so you can be sure the fabric you choose matches your project before you buy. The Cotton Loft advertises quilting fabrics for under $5 per yard. They also offer complete quilt kitsb for between $30-50.

Find discount cotton fabrics online

To find wholesale cotton fabric, search out online sites that connect you with manufacturers or distributors. Wholesalers usually offer the best prices, but most require you to purchase in quantity. You may have to purchase a whole bolt or roll to take advantage of the discount. If you can use the fabric, it is well worth the price. Otherwise, you might do better to find sites that offer discounted fabric in smaller quantities.

I recommend: Fashion Fabrics Club offers a large variety of cotton online from batik to twill to velour for about $5-7 per yard. Their special e-mail sales often have even lower prices. Nick of Time Textile has a wide range of fabrics from $.50 to about $5. They require customers to purchase a complete roll, which has about 60 yards on it.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're looking for discount cotton fabric, visit a garment district or a sewing factory. Many times they sell leftover bolts of fabric. Cotton, in particular, can be purchased very inexpensively. Furniture manufacturers or upholsterers often have extra rolls of upholstery cotton.