length of the cotton fibers for millennia. In the United States, the textile industry depended on the cultivation of cotton. Cotton really is the fabric of our lives as the cotton industry says—but for handspinners, it can be a bit intimidating. However, you're in luck! read more
For millenia, humans have had a close and vital association with cotton, but during the 20th century much of the knowledge about hand spinning cotton fell from general use and cotton became a fiber that spinners shied away from. read more
The spinning mule became self-acting (automatic) in 1830s. The mule was the most common spinning machine from 1790 until about 1900, but was still used for fine yarns until the 1960s. A cotton mill in 1890 would contain over 60 mules, each with 1320 spindles. read more