What is Poly Cotton Fabric?

Simply stated, poly cotton fabric is a blend that is made by combining strands of both cotton and polyester. The benefit of poly cotton is that you get the natural softness and moisture absorption of cotton, along with the wrinkle-resistant crispness of polyester.

A Variety of Textures

By blending the natural fibre of cotton with the synthetic fibres of polyester, a variety of different textures can be created for various uses. Usually, whichever fibre is listed first is the dominant fibre in the blend. For example, a cotton poly mixture would be 51% cotton and 49% polyester. The standard mix for poly cotton is 65% polyester and 35% cotton. The more natural fibres the fabric contains, the more comfortable the fabric will be to wear, since natural fibres are more breathable.

Worldwide Appeal

Since it was first introduced in the 1950s, polyester has become the most commonly used manufactured fibre worldwide. While the heyday of garments being made entirely out of polyester is over, most garments today still contain polyester as part of a poly cotton blend. Poly cotton fabrics are used in an extremely large number of home furnishings and apparel, such as:

* Bedspreads
* Bed sheets
* Draperies
* Curtains
* Shirts
* Stuffed animals
* Throw pillows

Cotton Traits

Cotton is an all-natural fibre made from the pod of a cotton plant. It is the principal fibre used in making the world’s clothing. Traits associated with cotton are the following:

* Light
* Cool
* Comfortable
* Absorbent

When people describe cotton, one of the most common descriptions you will hear is that it is a fabric that breathes. It is also easy to dye and clean.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Poly Cotton

Poly cotton blends are preferred by many people who choose to sew at home, since it is much easier to sew than pure cotton. A poly cotton blend also provides shrink resistance to garments when washed which is something that natural cotton does not have. One of the few downsides to poly cotton fabrics is that they cannot withstand high temperatures as well as a pure cotton garment but this is just one negative and one that has a simple solution.




Poly cotton blends have revolutionised the fabric industry, and help create a wide variety of garments and accessories for consumers that would not otherwise exist.