CottonWorks™ Events

The attendee will be exposed to the skills needed to dismantle both a knit and woven fabric to determine its construction parameters and to get some basic insight on how it was dyed and finished. From attending this course, the student will get insight into learning how to determine the yarn size and type. On the fabric level, construction parameters of weight, stitch counts, stitch length, course length, and other parameters will be addressed. The ability to pick out the knit and woven fabric design related to color and structure will be discussed. After attending the workshop, the student will understand how to properly analyze a fabric to better understand its make-up and to determine if it meets product specifications. This workshop will include a visit to a professional textile testing laboratory.

All textile goods start with choosing the right fiber. Attendees will learn more about how cotton fiber properties affect textile yarns, fabrics, and products.  

This workshop covers the foundation of yarn count: linear density, direct and indirect methods, conversions between systems, and information on twists and ply.

This workshop covers the components and requirements for making leggings, shapewear, and other close fitting seamless garments from cotton. From the fiber properties required to spin fine yarns, to warp and weft knitting, attendees will gain insight on how these products are made as well as industry and consumer trends in these high-growth markets. 

This workshop covers the key fundamentals of color.  Course work covers color principles, the measurement of color, and color relationships from the lab, to production, and finally retail.   *This is our Modern Color Science workshop. We have changed the name to better reflect the content*

This workshop covers techniques to produce stretch in fabrics across a variety of different textile processes. Discussions will cover different performance aspects of stretch, proper manufacturing of these products, and differences between processing stretch and non-stretch fabrics. Case studies of a knit fabric and a woven fabric will be utilized to facilitate learning and give attendees real-world practice. Participants will learn how to effectively communicate with suppliers to meet goals.  

A large variety of textile finishes are created through mechanical, not chemical, means. Attendees will understand different mechanical finishes available for cotton and how they are achieved.

This workshop covers the key fundamentals of the lab dip process: physical and digital color standards, dye selection, lab dyeing equipment, lab finishing equipment, color communication to suppliers, and evaluation.

There are a variety of solutions for creating a durable press for fabric. Attendees will understand several of these methods, their advantages and disadvantages, and use cases.

This workshop addresses a common issue that concerns knit product manufacturers: shrinkage. We will also discuss the construction, dyeing, and finishing parameters that impact these defects as well as the means to eliminate or improve this issue.

Moisture management is essential for the comfort and performance of textile goods. Cotton is naturally wicking and provides an optimal microclimate to the skin, but it can be engineered to provide additional benefits for high-performance goods. Attendees will understand different methods of managing moisture within fabrics.

This workshop addresses two common issues that concern knit product manufacturers: skewness and pilling. We will also discuss the construction, dyeing, and finishing parameters that impact these defects as well as the means to eliminate or improve these issues.

There are a variety of methods for achieving oil and water repellency in textiles. Attendees will understand what causes oil and water repellency and how it is accomplished on cotton goods.