The business of cotton

As part of my job I research a lot. I'm sure it comes out of my history background and I can't stop reading things, watching things or trying to find out more information about questions I have. An example is, this wonderful image and collection of photos of early cotton mills housed at Georgia Tech! Recently I had started tracking a number of professional cotton industry articles about the coming increase in cotton prices. As most of you know, the majority of cotton consumed in the United States is not made in the United States.

The most recent article addressing this interesting
economic phenomenon reemphasizes the current trend of fabric that is sold in the United States is rarely made in the United States, especially in the sense that the majority of base fabrics (know in the industry as "griege goods") are produced overseas. This combined with information in the last few months is no doubt going to affect the cost of fabric being sold in all quilt stores. All I can tell you is I'll do my best to hold the prices I have.

On a positive note, I've found two other pieces of interest that give another side to this issue. The first was passed along to me by my aunt-in-law who sent an updated article from the Smithsonian Magazine about the next tour of Gees Bend's quilts. The article reemphasizes that you can use what you have and still manage to create items of value and beauty--something that quilters are often either known for or are hesitant to do.

The other good bit of information I ran across today was on the History Channel. They were running a great piece about the development and use of cotton in modern America. The episode highlighted a few of the manufacturers left in the United States who are still starting from cotton and ending with a finished, sellable good. It was a refreshing reminder that there are some companies still operating on a work-local, think-global concept.

Just so you don't think I sit around reading and watching TV all day, Mondays are technically my community service day/day off from the shop/day with my kids. But I couldn't help but think of you. :-)