Cotton is easily recognizable because of its texture. With its slightly uneven surface that gives out an airy feel, and the relaxed look that many fabrics try to copy through the finishing process. But we can be sure that none of the fabrics were able to reach the finishing of cotton fabrics yet. 

It also comes with a lot of manufacturing complications.

That’s why cotton blend fabrics are becoming popular in the textile industry these days. Fabric manufacturers have started blending cotton with other fibers to improve its original features like softness, wrinkling, and making fabric more practical for everyday use.

This trend continues today as buyers are preferring cotton blend fabrics more, due to features and affordability.

Check out our digital swatch here.

What is cotton blend fabric?

Cotton blend fabric is made by processing together cotton fiber with another fiber during the yarn production or weaving. Based on the use case of these fabrics, cotton can be blended with linen, viscose, rayon, polyester, or any newer fibers like Tencel.

The reason why we say it is that the blend will give cotton features that it was lacking. We know cotton has strength and breathability. But at the same time, it will crease easily and become dry. So blending it will completely improve the cotton fabrics, but without removing the cotton’s original character.

While some blends make the fabric softer immediately, others make it durable. This is the reason why two cotton-blend fabrics can behave completely differently even when they look similar at first.

Why Manufacturers Use cotton blend fabrics Instead of Pure cotton

Due to shrinkage variations and wrinkling, cotton makes it difficult for manufacturers to work with it and get the desired result without going through extreme difficulty. In some cases like creating lightweight constructions, it can also lose stability more easily if the yarn is not consistent.

This is what the cotton blend materials are solving now.

For example, a cotton linen blend fabric can soften the surface of the fabric while keeping the breathability. Another example is cotton and viscose blend fabrics, it can improve the overall flow and drape of the fabric. And blending polyester will improve the wrinkle recovery and shape retention of pure cotton fabric.

So we can say that the blend is decided based on what the final fabric needs to achieve.

4 Common Types of cotton blend fabric

1. Cotton Linen Blend Fabric

Probably the most used cotton blends out there. Cotton is blended with linen in order to achieve softness and make the product easy to maintain, unlike pure cotton fabrics. This gives a more breathable and natural looking fabric which is not too stiff. These are widely used in making shirts, dresses, lightweight trousers, and resort wear items.

2. Cotton Viscose Blend Fabric

Cotton gets more fluid by blending it with viscose. It is highly used in women’s wear and drapey garments. This blend still keeps the cotton look, easily noticeable, but the movement will be much different.

3. Cotton Polyester Blend Fabric

This type of blend, where polyester is mixed with cotton, makes the fabric wrinkle-free and keeps its dimensions stable even after multiple washings. This is the reason why people go for this blended fabric. Even though it is not common in garments, it is highly common in commercial textiles like bedding and curtains.

4. Cotton Tencel™ Blend Fabric

Tencel and cotton blend fabric is a sustainable blend fabric that is becoming popular nowadays. Tencel adds the softness and moisture it needs to maintain a natural hand feel.

How cotton blend fabric Is Manufactured

Blending any fabric requires that it be done at the yarn stage. During the spinning stage or yarn development stage, cotton and other required fibers are blended together. The yarn is then used for weaving fabrics in various structures.

This is where things start getting interesting. Plain weave cotton blend woven fabric still feels crisp and structured. We discussed this topic in our recent article on plain weave fabric, where the structure of a fabric changes how the final fabric behaves.

The Blend Ratio Changes the Entire Fabric

There is no ideal number when it comes to the ratio required for blending other fibers with cotton to get the desired results. Two fabrics with the same cotton blend can feel completely different if the blend ratio is different. For example, a fabric with 20% cotton behaves differently from a fabric one from 60% cotton.

The blend ratio is set up based on the client’s requirements in order to cater to the right drape, wrinkle behaviour, texture, softness, dye absorption, and other required features.

Cotton blend fabric in Sustainable Textile Manufacturing

The natural resource used for cotton manufacturing, called pure cotton, is already a natural and sustainable material. But it uses a lot of water.

But let’s say that it’s not sufficient to call it sustainable. The way it’s dyed, finished, and the secondary fiber used also count. Thats why global certifications and sourcing transparencies have become more common in the textile and export market today.

We discussed something similar in our recent article on sustainable fabrics, about how sustainability depends on manufacturing processes just as much as raw materials.

Sampling Usually Reveals the Real Fabric Behavior

We have already talked about the importance of having samples developed before going full production. Technical sheets can only tell a story up to a limit. Only the final product can reveal how it actually looks, so the sampling is really important.

The sampling process usually reveals much more than the specification sheet does.

Working with cotton Fabric Manufacturers

Dinesh Exports has been manufacturing cotton blend fabrics for more than three decades for both local and international clients.

We look at the yarn quality, blend ratio, weaving structure, and the finishing process at a granular level to achieve the desired results our clients require. Working with us is not similar to working with other cotton fabric manufacturers. 

If you’d like to know more about how manufacturing, product development, and finishing process, feel free to contact us.

Final Thoughts

Cotton blend fabric sits right between natural texture and practical performance. It provides the texture of cotton while improving the performance of the fabric. Blending ratios control how the final fabric behaves, and its important to make sure the yarn developed for the weaving is consistent throughout. Finally, choosing a cotton blend fabric manufacturer that cares for the desired outcome as much as the client will make sure that your order is not messed up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cotton blend fabric?

Cotton blend fabric is a type of fabric that is made by weaving together cotton and other fibers like cotton, tencel, rayon, viscose, etc.

Are they better than pure cotton?

It depends on the application. Cotton blends usually feel softer, wrinkle less, and are easier to maintain compared to pure cotton.

What is the best for clothing?

A cotton linen blend fabric is commonly preferred for breathable everyday clothing, while cotton viscose blends are popular for softer drape.

Are cotton blend fabrics sustainable?

Some sustainable cotton blend fabrics are considered eco-friendly, especially when responsibly sourced fibers and certified processes are used.

Does cotton blend fabric wrinkle easily?

Yes, but usually less than pure cotton depending on the blend ratio and fabric construction.