is the process Finishing is the process of twisting the fibres to a that gives the fabric its Australia’s climate, system of research and development, yarn of a certain weight. final appearance, feel There are three types MAKING and practical attributes. infrastructure, regulatory framework and the competence of of spinning. Australian cotton is mainly spun on Finishing can include UP Woven fabrics are our farmers makes it an ideal place to grow cotton, right on The chosen bales Blended fibre is passed machines. softening, water repellence cut and sewn together (sometimes from multiple through machines which use or permanent press. the doorstep of the world’s fibre market. Australia’s cotton to form garments, countries) are blended a number of different beaters while knitwear pieces industry is efficient, modern, responsible and sustainable. to ensure a consistent and to remove any contaminants are ‘linked’ together homogenous blend from the lint (e.g. plant and to produce a final of fibres. non-plant material). garment. SPINNING After processing, Cotton can be the garments are dyed many different labelled so consumers colours at various know how to care Australian cotton is valued stages of processing. for their new cotton for its low contamination, CLEANING clothing, where it is length, strength and FINISHING made and sometimes micronaire – a measure of even how it is grown. fibre fineness and maturity. BLENDING GROWING AND GINNING HARVESTING DYEING

Australian cotton growers select cotton varieties that are bred to optimise yield DRAWING and fibre quality based on different climate conditions in AND COMBING each region. Throughout the BUYING individualises, CARDING KNITTING 180-day cotton plant growing OPENING aligns and further cycle, growers make decisions SEED COTTON cleans the fibres, Drawing and combing & WEAVING TO to optimise fibre quality – condensing them into straightens the to Knitting machines join MARKET from planting to harvesting. a single continuous improve uniformity and yarn together with Seed varieties, weather, water, Bales are strand called a ‘sliver’. evenness, eliminating interlocking loops to pest and weed management Seed cotton is picked from the selected to short fibres. form knitted fabric. and harvest conditions are all plant, pressed into modules and satisfy the Weaving machines Brand owners who factors that affect fibre quality. transported to a cotton gin where requirements interlace yarns usually specify Australian the cotton lint is separated from the of a particular at right angles to each cotton in their supply fuzzy seed, the cotton is classed for end use. They are then COTTON CLASSROOM other to form woven chains have confidence its quality, and then it is sold usually laid down, opened and fabric, generally either Cotton Australia’s Cotton Classroom site that their raw cotton is by a cotton merchant to a spinner loosened so the fibres plain weave or twill has information, lessons, units, education kits, responsibly produced located overseas. can relax. weave fabric. classroom videos, presentations and much more. and traceable. http://cottonaustralia.com.au/cotton-classroom Photographs courtesy: Heath McWhirter, Annette Coward, Joanne Campbell, Julie Reardon, Pete Johnson, Cotton Inc. Illustrations: Liz Grant FROM FIELD TO FASHION