What makes Egyptian cotton one of the finest staple fibers in the world?
Whether for the softer touch, the more pronounced feeling of comfort or the greater strength and durability, many people are willing to pay a slightly higher price for clothing, bed, table and bath items made with fabrics woven with Egyptian cotton yarns.
A favorable combination of several factors accounts for the development of the particular characteristics of Egyptian cotton fibers, with emphasis on genetic selection, favorable climate, cultivation and management techniques.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Muhammad Ali Pasha, who ruled Egypt between 1805 and 1848, imported from the Americas seeds of a type of cotton characterized by lightness and long staple fiber. Gradually, the local short staple species were replaced by the new variety — Gossypium barbadense. In the Americas, this species goes by the names of Pima and Supima.
Planted in the delta region of the Nile River, whose banks are extremely fertile due to the deposits of sediments rich in nutrients, the new species found a fertile soil for the development of long and fine fibers. Additionally, the hot climate and favorable humidity of the Nile Delta region provided a favorable environment for its cultivation.
Cultivation and harvesting techniques also play an important role in maximizing staple qualities. These practices include careful seed selection, proper plant handling during growth, and hand harvesting to avoid fiber damage. Over the years, the genetic selection of seeds with the best qualities has led to an improvement of the staple's most desirable characteristics. The Giza 45 and Giza 86 are the most illustrious examples of this improvement.
Cotton farm on the banks of the Nile.
Main characteristics that make Egyptian cotton highly valued:
1. Staple length: Egyptian cotton has extra long fibers, also known as "staple fibers". These long fibers result in finer and smoother yarns, in addition to providing greater resistance and durability to the fabrics woven with it.
2. Softness: The long, fine fibers of Egyptian cotton have a smooth, silky texture that feels pleasant to the touch. Clothing made with Egyptian cotton fabrics have a more opulent feel and are comfortable to wear.
3. High Absorption: Egyptian cotton has an excellent ability to absorb moisture, making it ideal for the production of terry towels, clothing and bedding items expected to wick away moisture in a more efficient way.
4. Resistance: Fabrics woven with long-staple Egyptian cotton are more resistant to wear and stress, so they last longer.
5. Shine: Egyptian cotton has a characteristic natural shine, which gives a luminous and sophisticated look to the fabrics woven with it.
RenauxView bases woven with Egyptian cotton threads:
Jacquard: More than 20 Jacquard fabrics are woven with Egyptian cotton yarn. Among the most desired are RVJ29, RVJ192, RVJ196, RVJ142, RVJ143, RVJ145, RVJ213, RVJ102, etc.
Piece-dyed: Aflex, Albi, Aled, Aluê 2, Allium, Andi 2, Aster, Bellis, Blur, Delli, Denno, Felce, Kraft 2, Mahdi, Mazzini 2, Setta, Sotto, Xantê.
Yarn-dyed: Amoc, Briel, Clipp, Dualite 2, Erbe, Hatter, Hatton, Kiara, Lia, Liara, Liara Stretch, Liddel, Lust, Rugas, Sian, Sity, Xantê.
All RenauxView fabrics are produced under strict social and environmental standards.
Comentários