{"id":2680,"date":"2023-07-01T13:34:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T13:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.contrado.com\/blog\/?p=2680"},"modified":"2023-06-28T13:36:23","modified_gmt":"2023-06-28T13:36:23","slug":"what-is-brushed-cotton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.contrado.com\/blog\/what-is-brushed-cotton\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Brushed Cotton? Taking Cotton Fabric to the Next Level"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is brushed cotton?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When talking about fabrics, everyone has heard of cotton. It is made from the cellulose fibers of the cotton plant, which get spun into threads that are then woven into fabric. Cotton has been around for centuries with diverse species of the plant found in Mexico, Australia, and Africa. It won\u2019t be farfetched to say that all of us have some form of clothing or accessory that is made from this material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what is brushed cotton? It is a woven cotton fabric<\/a> that is, as the name suggests, brushed to create a soft, napped texture. Essentially, \u2018brushed cotton\u2019 is the result of a process carried out on regular cotton that takes this multifarious fabric to the next level of aesthetics and functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is brushed cotton made?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"brushed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brushing is a finishing process used to raise the surface fibers of a fabric<\/a>. The fabric undergoes a mechanical brushing process in which fine, metal brushes carefully rub the fabric to produce fine fibers from the woven yarns, creating extra softness on the surface of the fabric. Cotton can be gently brushed on both sides to make it soft to the touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chiara Rubinelli, from the Italian mill Grandi & Rubinelli, says, \u201cUsually when most fabrics are finished, a flame is applied to singe away any raised fibers so its surface is completely smooth. Brushed cotton undergoes the complete opposite treatment. We do not remove the fluff on the surface of the cloth, but instead, exaggerate it. We do this using specially engineered mechanical metal brushes, which tease the fibers out from the surface of the fabric. It\u2019s a technique that goes back many centuries \u2013 originally, it was done using the dry, spikey heads of thistles. This creates a beautifully soft handle, similar to a fine wool cloth, but it\u2019s incredibly comfortable against the skin, absent of any itchiness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is brushed cotton used for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"brushed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brushing cotton creates raised fluffy fibers that trap air particles, thereby improving the insulation capacities of the fabric. Dr. Hugh Gong of the School of Materials at Manchester University says, \u2018Anything that reduces the contact with the skin reduces the amount of heat being conducted away from our bodies.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Owing to this, brushed cotton is widely used for bedding<\/a> items such as sheets and pillowcases<\/a> as well as garments. Luca Faloni, the owner of the Italian brand, Luca Faloni, says, \u2018Brushed cotton\u2026provides protection against wind chill, but it doesn\u2019t make you feel overheated. Usually, during cooler spells, you might need to wear a V-neck in-between your shirt and jacket, but with brushed cotton, you don\u2019t have to as it\u2019s such a good insulator; it saves you the trouble of bulking up with multiple layers. People normally are used to poplin or Oxford cotton which are very fresh, crisp, and light; brushed cotton has all the comfort of a T-shirt, but is a far more premium and elegant material.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between brushed cotton and flannel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"brushed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably though there is a difference. Brushed cotton involves brushing on the face side, resulting in a fabric<\/a> that is soft, retains heat but is also breathable. Flannel or Flannelette fabric is brushed on both sides, resulting in a fuzzier, warmer, and thicker fabric. Not to mention, flannel was originally made from wool but now is often made of cotton or other synthetic materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is brushed cotton-like to sew with?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"brushed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cotton per se is remarkably easy to sew with. Experienced seamstresses would recommend using cotton for beginners. The fabric doesn\u2019t slip, is easy to iron, and is easy to wash if you want to pre-shrink the fabric before starting your project. The fabric<\/a> is machine washable at 30-40 degrees in cold settings, especially for colored fabrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages of Brushed Cotton<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  • Durable<\/li>
  • Breathable<\/li>
  • Soft to the touch<\/li>
  • Easy to care for<\/li>
  • Versatile<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Disadvantages of Brushed Cotton<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    • Prone to shrinkage<\/li>
    • Can pill over time<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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