Corduroy

Chosen Fabric of the Halflings

With the help of a special machine, the puffy white clumps are removed from the plant, carefully collected to be turned into a number of things if prepared right. The Battered Baskets make short work of an otherwise tedious job, all to make a favorite fabric of the Halflings, one that has become famous across the Little Greenwood and beyond for its texture and sophistication. What once was a months-long process has been distilled into weeks, making the fashions of the day more accessible for everyone. The plucked cotton will be washed and twisted, formed into threads and cords that will go on to make various fabrics and textiles, each with its own weight and feel, something that interests the Halflings. Thicker linens may be sent to the Human Empire and the Dwarven Kingdom, used for their daily wear, but the thinner fabrics, those made with more time and detail, will stay in the Little Greenwood, defining the fashion of the little folk with rich colors and tactile textures. Corduroy is one such fabric, created from various cords of twisted cotton woven together to make a divine texture, as said by the little folk. This fabric is often velvet soft, but ribbed, making its feel a tactile experience. While tulle and silk are commonly found in other kingdoms, delicate and rich fabrics, the Halflings prefer the soft but textured fabric to anything else that is considered sophisticated. From the field to the loom and eventually the shops, all things about this fabric happen in the Little Greenwood under the eyes of the Halflings.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Corduroy is made of cotton fibers woven into a base cloth to form vertical ridges that give the fabric its signature texture. The ridges are created to ensure clear lines are visible when the fabric is finished. Because of its construction and base fiber, corduroy is considered a durable fabric and is often used to create pants, jackets, and shirts, but not as commonly as linen or other heavy-duty fabrics. The quality of corduroy is determined by the number of ridges per inch, with the standard being between ten and twelve. Some batches of the fabric can have as many as twenty ridges per inch or as few as three, but these batches are rarely made, as the standard seems to be what most people expect. This standard quality corduroy is then dyed a great number of colors and made into a variety of clothing, often only in Halfling sizes.

Geology & Geography

Cotton is grown in a number of places throughout the world, but the cotton used specifically to make corduroy is grown in the Little Greenwood. Here, the cotton is grown amongst the fruit trees and other vegetables and then picked using a modified version of the Battered Baskets. Much like everything else in the Little Greenwood, the cotton plants produce a great deal more, allowing certain amounts of the fiber to be set aside specifically for corduroy while the rest of it is used to create other cotton-based fabrics.