What is Canvas?

UK Cotton is the most prevalent fiber in the world. Renowned for its breathability, strength and versatility, cotton has helped shape the history of the world by clothing and protecting countless civilizations and adventurers from the effects of nature. Cotton is a soft natural fiber obtained from the seed pod of the cotton plant. After harvesting cotton must combed to remove the seeds. Once this process has been carried out the

fibre consists of nearly pure cellulose, a natural polymer. While a single cotton fibre is not terribly strong, when multiple curling fibres are straightened and twisted together they form a strong, smooth thread. In its raw undefined form the natural colour of cotton is a light to dark cream.

History of Cotton

Derived in name from the Arabic "qutn", cotton grows in a round boll around the seeds of the cotton plant, a thorned shrub belonging to the Malvaceae family of the genus Gossypium. Cotton is believed to have been first cultivated and spun by the Indus Valley Civilization around 4,000 B.C. Well before the emergence of Christianity, the manufacture of cotton was widespread throughout India and the Mediterranean. Arab traders introduced fine cotton fabrics to Italy and Spain the in 1st century, and the Moors brought cotton production to Spain in the 9th century. Cotton reached the shores of England in the 1600s, as the East India Company began importing delicate textiles from India.

India fell from prominence in cotton production by the 18th Century as the Industrial Revolution in Europe greatly increased cotton processing and the East India Company increasingly relied on India merely as a source of the raw material. Automated processes for separating the cotton boll from its barbed enclosure were greatly improved with the development of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793. Cotton fabric began to be produced almost exclusively in Northern Europe, to be later exported to the colonies from which the cotton fibers originated. During the US Civil War, cotton farming provided the money needed to sustain the Southern Confederacy, and after the war, previously blockaded American exports bounced back immediately due to their lower cost and excellent quality.

Today, cotton production is a billion-dollar industry. The incorporation of cotton is used in everything from personal hygiene products to hospital blankets. While the United States had historically been the world's leading producer of cotton, today that title is held by China, which produces over 7.6 million tons of cotton annually. Cotton requires a sunny environment with moderate rainfall and little frost, resulting in large amounts of cotton grown in India, China, Egypt and the Southeastern United States.

Why is cotton so incredibly popular? Its fibers are highly porous, making cotton clothing light and breathable, but able to be woven into any desired density. This quality also enables cotton fabric to be dyed easily, making it a natural choice for designers. Cotton fabric is available in a plentitude of varieties, such as supremely soft and luxurious Sea Island and Pima cotton, rugged and durable corduroy, industrial strength canvas, light and chic voile and organdy, and lustrous sateen and velvet. Cotton fabric is especially soft and pleasing to the touch; and, since it is derived naturally, those with sensitive skin are able to wear the fiber without any adverse reactions. Cotton is also a fabric that responds well to sewing: it has a slight give, but is not difficult to handle, like spandex or lycra.

The cotton material is Eco-friendly since it is 100% natural and there is no synthetic fibre mixed with it, which makes it 100% Biodegradable. Cotton material is strong and the cotton bags made of cotton can be used many times and its natural alternative to using plastic bag.

Jute is a natural fibre. It's a tropical cousin of the European lime or linden tree and its official latin name is Corchorus capsularis or Corchorus olitorius. Jute, a natural golden fibre, symbolic to coarse and rough, strong and sturdy, has now been revolutionized and refined by the modern environmentally conscious fashion industry and is incorporated in various products. Jute is obtained as an extract from the bark of the jute plant. The stem of the plant is cut during harvesting but root remains within the soil. By the process of bio-degradation, these roots decompose in due course of time and enrich the soil for subsequent crops. Petrochemical

products especially plastic bags have become a menace to the environment. Their indiscriminate use has caused havoc to our ecological balance. Jute is gaining popularity for good cause. It is biodegradable – jute mixes with soil and breaks down. In the process, nutrients are restored to the soil. On combustion, its fumes are non- toxic and produce no residue. The alternative may not come as cheap as its plastic counterpart, but the price paid will still be cheaper at the cost of saving the environment for our coming generations.

History of Jute

It is cultivated on small farms in the Ganges and Brahmaputra valleys of Bangladesh and India. Traditional, nearly organic methods are used. The fully grown 12 ft (3.6m) tall plants are beautiful. They have delicate green leaves and little yellow flowers that are pollinated by insects. Farmers cut the flowering stems down, dry them in the sun and then soak them in water to loosen the bark and dissolve the gum that holds the woody fibres together. This process is called "retting". The fibre is then extracted by hand. The fibres in jute are uneven in diameter and are highly resistant to stretching but individually brittle - so they develop microscopic fractures during the weaving process. These two factors give jute its natural slightly rough appearance.

The jute fabric industry was pioneered by mill-owners in Dundee, Scotland in the 1820s. By the 1850s they were setting up jute mills in India itself and some of these mills are still working today. Jute is a major item in the world's commodity markets and the finer grades can be seen in fashion, luggage and home furnishing. It is also known as hessian and burlap.

Apart from its use as a textile, jute can be eaten! Young leaves are added to salads whilst older leaves need to be cooked - very similar to spinach. Jute leaves are high in protein. Dried leaves are used as a thickener in soups or even to make tea.