Cotton Incorporated has created an online materials library that demonstrates the diversity of cotton denim applications as part of its mission to increase demand for the natural fiber. In woven, photos of non-traditional looks like jacquard floral prints with indigo warp and natural filling and laser-etched effects are showcased. Plain weaves with end-on-end warp and pick filling also make an appearance, giving a modern twist to chambray, with details like laser-etching in a subtle dot and dash camouflage pattern.
Mills that make cotton fabrics and yarn can utilize the photo collection to portray the various constructions and techniques that can be applied to their product. There’s also a twill fabric with a natural warp and indigo boucle yarn in the filling that offers an indigo alternative to denim or other bottom weight fabrics with surface texture, and a French Terry indigo denim laser marked with an irregular diamond pattern. Also trendy are mercerized indigo denims embossed with patterns and then hand-sanded in garment form.
An indigo knits collection features the textural quality of the fabric in combination with ring-dyed indigo. There are laser-marked jerseys and French terries. A striated look is achieved in garment processing due to the textured slub yarn in the fabric. Cotton Incorporated is a research and promotional organization funded by US cotton producers and importers of raw cotton and cotton textiles.