Is fabric made from cotton?
Fabric is made of fibers that are gathered from the source, spun
into threads and then they are woven or knit into fabrics. Fibers
can come from many sources, plants, animal hair, insects, and crude
oil. Well know plant fibers are Cotton, linen, hemp, and rayons
that come from bamboo, pine, spruce and hemp. These are spun and
processed into denims, t-shirtings, twills, khakis, voiles,
broadcloths poplins, cotton is an especially versatile fibre and
made into literally thousands of weights, textures, knits and
weaves. it's the world's favourite fibre.
Animal fibers include wool, alpaca, cashmere, and any other
fibre that is obtained by shaving, shearing or brushing and
animal's fur. Wool is the source of suiting, flannel, gabardine,
heavy melton for winter wear, and it's blended with alpaca for
lightness, or cashmere for softness or synthetics for
durability.
Silk is from the cocoons of the silk moth. Silkworms eat
mulberry leaves, then they spin a cocoon, and the cocoons are
soaked in hot water until they are loose and clean, hen they are
spun and woven. Silk is the most expensive fibre and maxes luxury
fabrics such as satin, crepe de chine, peau de soie, brocades,
shantungs, and noils.
Synthetics come from crude oil processed into chemical polymers.
Polymer based fibers include polyester, polyamide, nylon, antron,
acrylic, modacrylic, and many patented brand names. They are wash
and wear fabrics, and some are warmer than wool and lighter than
silk. Many are cheap and look cheap. Synthetics are best when
blended with a natural fibre. The end result is a fabric that has
the durability of a synthetic but the softer and natural look of a
natural fibre.
This is barely an overview. I studied fibers fabrics, and
textiles in school, it's an integral part of fashion design and
technology. Some fashion schools offer degree programs in textile
and fabric technology.