The Story of Cotton – Cotton Facts
Have you ever wondered.
How many finished textile products can be made from a typical 500 lbs. Bale of cotton lint? Below are a few examples of what might be made from a bale of cotton. (These numbers are approximations)
| TEM Per Bale | |
| Men’s dress and business shirts | 800 |
| Men’s & boy’s jeans | 325 |
| Ladies blouses and shirts | 850 |
| Ladies knit & woven dresses | 350 |
| Diapers | 3,000 |
| Pillowcases | 1,200 |
A complete list of items made from a 500 lbs. bale is included in Cotton’s Journey-A Field Trip In A Box complete kit and Curriculum and Activities Guide (book or CD-ROM versions)
How much cotton does it take? The following examples are estimated amounts of cotton required to make these common consumer items.
| ITEM Per Bale | |
| 1 Pair Jeans 1.5 lbs. | (24 oz.) |
| 1 Man’s Shirt .6 lbs. | (10 oz.) |
| 1 T-shirt .5 lbs. | (8 oz.) |
| 1 Diaper .15 lbs. | (2.5 oz.) |
| 1 Bath Towel .6 lbs. | (10 oz.) |
We have done all the research for you…gathered supplemental literature books, videos and CD’s, and offer a variety of resources to be used in conjunction with your study unit. So let’s get started on our cotton’s journey and learn more about this useful, resourceful and magical plant we take for granted…COTTON! 
