All About Cotton: A Fabric Dictionary & Swatchbook (Fabric Reference Ser.; Vol. 2) (Fabric Reference Series)

It is curiously difficult to find out about fabrics, especially the "common" cotton. Maybe you have to work in the industry to get a real technical and aesthetic overview? If that is not a possibility for you, here's an education in a book. Confirming what all reviews say, this is a very useful reference and I was thrilled to find one on Amazon even though it was published years ago by this point. My only reservation is that weights are not given for the individual fabric samples. That seems to be the hardest info to find. Next edition?

I've had this book for about six years and I still consult it at least monthly. Fabric vendors love to use hundred-year-old cryptic terms to describe fabric, most terms referring to the manufacturing method. Having never made my own fabric, I am not familiar with these terms. This book closes the gap and explains how the fabric is made, where it originated from, the predominant use of the fabric and its sewing characteristics. If you have a fabric stash, you need this book.I also have the Silk and Wool books which are equally good (though I don't sew on wool or silk nearly as much as cotton).

bought this for a friend who's daughter is doing fashion design at college. she was amazed at the exceptional quality of the used books. she is very pleased

great book

This is very informative.

I love these books--nothing helps you learn about different fabrics like being able to touch and look at actual samples. I frequently recommend this to people who come into my fabric shop wanting to learn more about fabrics and textile science.

Very helpful! I love the swatches and the information is great.

It is a fabric reference book, explicative, clear communication, simple graphics, and the best part are the fabric swatches!