I have collected material for years, and now when I want to use some of it for a pattern. The pattern calls for 100% cotten. How do I tell what is cotten and what is not. Thanks Iva

Try to do this over the kitchen sink, if you burn your fingers (I did) and drop the fabric, no damage done and water nearby. Sometimes you smell the diffence ironing the fabric too, some of the polyester stuffs smells bad when ironed hot.

I learned something new again!!! LOL

This was a very good question. I learned something new!

Thanks to all of you for the great answers. You all are great.

Excellent question Iva!
Thanks Jo for the wonderful answer!
I was wondering the same thing.

Iva, I would probably do a "pull and feel" test, when it is difficult to be sure. Most 100% cottons do not stretch/pull at all, nor do they usually have a sheen to the fabric, as when the fabric is a poly/cotton blend. When you feel the fabric, a poly/cotton blend will have a slippery smooth feel to the fingertips. On 100% cotton, you will have a slight roughness of the woven threads, as if they are raised a bit. Hope this helps. I have quite a stash I have had for years, too! Can't remember which is what!! LOL
Angel

1 comment

by jkdavis1996 01 Apr 2011

thank you for your help!!!

Great question. Thanks for asking

Cut off a small swatch of your fabric (about 1/2" x 3" should do). Light a match and touch it to the edge of your swatch so it starts on fire, then blow it out quickly. If the edge remains soft and the ashy edge just crumbles away, it's cotton. Otherwise, if it gets a hard edge, it's a blend.
Cotton is a natural fiber. Also, cotton will take a crease better than a poly blend.
What are you making?
Jo

5 comments

by jkdavis1996 01 Apr 2011

Oh my goodness, what a GREAT answer. And I grew up with my daddy and grandaddy smelling like smoke from their outside fires. What a way to 'join' them in their 'pyro-maniac' ways. :)

by mops 01 Apr 2011

That's what I was going to tell as well. Same applies to linen although it smells a bit different but gives a nice fine ash as well.

by jofrog2000 01 Apr 2011

I use organza as a base to make some designs free standing, and then use a wood burning tool to burn away the little bits I can't snip away. I test the organza to see if it is nylon by holding the hot tip near an edge. It really makes a hard edge as it melts, where silk organza just sort of poofs away. So that would be another edge checking method.

by ansalu 01 Apr 2011

I had bought a vichy-square-fabric (should be 100%cotton) with a fluffy grip like polyester. So I made also this test and burned one corner. I really waited for the melting plastic but it was mercerisiert cotton (didn't find a translation; some yarn is also made in this way to keep cotton smooth and glittering). Also did it with yarn ;o)
Greetings, Bettina

by crafter2243 02 Apr 2011

I used to do the same test with Yarns. Wool, Cotton, Linnen and other natural fibers will turn into ash while anything with man made fiber in it would form a hard ball. Distinguishing between the different natural fibers was the smell.