Pima Cotton fabric’s strength, softness, luster and comfort quality
have made it the preferred fabric of the world. Among many varieties of
cotton, Pima cotton fabric is the softest. High quality and long lasting
clothing are made of Pima cotton like luxurious towel, sheets, dress
materials, etc.
The name, Pima is derived from the Pima Indians of Arizona who worked with
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists breeding cotton on an
experimental farm in the early 1900s. The new plant produced cotton fibers
that were longer, stronger and finer and were woven into a softer fabric.
The USDA made significant advancements in Pima development since then and
made it better in the quality covering major aspects of textile like
clothing with softest textures, very strong, brightness of the cloth, etc.
Pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense) is known for its extra-long staple
(ELS). The fibers are an inch and 3/8 or longer in size. Fabrics made from
these ELS cotton are 50% more stronger than other cotton varieties. The
extra strength helps to finer spinning of yarns which give more luxurious
appearance and softness of the hand to the knitted or woven fabric.
Previously called American-Egyptian cotton, Pima cotton is mainly grown in
the arid environments of western United States, Egypt, Israel, Australia and
Peru. A superior quality of Pima cotton grown in the U.S. is known as Supima
cotton, a licensed trademark owned by Supima and its members.
Characteristics of Pima Cotton Fabric
- It is lustrous, smooth, soft and very silky. Peruvian Pima fabrics
(also called ‘cashmere of cotton’) is the smoothest and
silkiest fabric in the world.
- Pima cotton, if processed correctly, has a special brightness in it.
- It is more resistant, hence it is more durable than other fabrics.
- It drapes well.
- It has a good absorbent quality which makes it weather friendly.
Uses of Pima Cotton Fabric
- Pima cotton is used exclusively in exotic and high standard clothing
which has lustrous look with smooth feel. Due to its absorbent quality,
all types of hosieries, sport-wear, baby wear, T-shirts and athletic
shirts are made of this fabric.
- The strength of pima cotton is an added advantage. Expensive house
furnishing is made of it. They are more durable than other fabrics.
