When I purchased the fabric I used for my Teddy Top, I selected a cotton/linen blend in a bold paisley print and a solid cotton shirting of “100% Giza cotton” from EOS Fabrics. At the time, I had no idea what Giza cotton was and how it differed from other cotton fabrics. I just really liked the vibrant tangerine color!
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When I received the fabrics in the mail, I was surprised at how lustrous it was and how beautifully it draped. It looked and felt more like fine silk satin rather than typical shirting fabric. Even after washing and pressing, the fabric maintained its beauty. So I began to wonder, “what is Giza cotton”?
The Best Egyptian Cotton
While China, India, and the United States lead global cotton production, the finest cottons are known to come from Egypt. Egyptian cotton is a species of cotton — Gossypium barbadense — that is known for its extra long staple fibers. These fibers are at least 1 3/8 inches long, compared to the average 1 inch for American-grown cotton fibers.
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Of the different types of Egyptian cottons, Giza cotton is esteemed as the finest Egyptian cotton. Giza cotton is grown along the Nile River Delta and is picked by hand rather than by machine to preserve its extra long staple fiber length. The combination of humidity, sunlight, and nutrient-rich soil in the Nile River Delta region creates ideal growing conditions for cotton plants, enabling growers to raise long and extra-long staple fibers. These fibers are also extra fine, so when they are spun into yarn, they are thinner than other cotton types. When woven, the thin, extra long staple fibers yield a fabric that is strong, smooth, soft, and lustrous, which is why this is considered to be one of the best cottons.
Sources for Giza Cotton Fabrics by the Yard
Here are some sources:
Mood Fabrics: Giza Cotton Shirting
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