Is it possible to make cotton fabric from cotton I grow in my garden?

Question

I know you can make thread by handspinning, but can you make fabric, too somehow? If so, how do you do it?

Answer 1

Yes! You do have to spin it first. Then you will need a weaving loom. You will want one that will warp a lot of threads to an inch. You will need to warp the loom then you can weave the cotton you have spun. I would suggest finding a class on weaving or at least someone who can show you how to warp the loom. Check your phone book for yarn shops. They may be able to put you in contact with a weavers guild. Guilds sometimes have equipment to teach on or loan out to guild members. They also have a wealth of knowledge about weaving cloth.

Answer 2

With hand spun thread it might be a good idea to knit or crochet to make fabric.
Learning to weave is easier with smooth threads.
If you want to use your own produce in one of your first weaves, use factory spun thread for the warp and your own for the weft where strength is less a need.

And spinning cotton is considered real hard.
Wool is the easiest to get started with.

So you might want to contact someone near you who spins cotton to show you how to spin it yourself.

Your 'loom' can be real simple, a piece of cardboard with cuts along 2 ends will work already:
http://www.art-rageous.net/Weaving.html
http://www.fibre-art.com/box_weaving.htm
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/middle8.html
The more fancy looms are for when you know a little more.

Answer 3

You're going to have a spinning wheel to turn it into thread and then you are going to need some kind of a loom to make it into cloth.