Cotton corduroy

Cotton and woolly corduroy

Corduroy is a textile composed of twisted fibers that, when woven, lie parallel (similar to twill) to one another to form the cloth's distinct pattern, a "cord." Modern corduroy is most commonly composed of tufted cords, sometimes exhibiting a channel (bare to the base fabric) between the tufts. Corduroy is, in essence, a ridged form of velvet.

The word corduroy probably originates as a compound of the words cord and obsolete duroy (a name of a coarse fabric made in England). The interpretation of the word as corde du roi (from French, the cord of the King) is a folk etymology. ^{[1] [2]}

As a fabric, corduroy is considered a durable cloth. Corduroy is found in the construction of trousers, jackets and shirts. The width of the cord is commonly referred to as the size of the "wale" (i.e. the number of ridges per inch).^[3] The lower the "wale" number, the thicker the width of the wale (i.e., 4-wale is much thicker than 11-wale). Corduroy’s wale count per inch can vary from 1.5 to 21, although the traditional standard falls somewhere between 10 and 12. Wide wale is more commonly used in trousers and furniture upholstery (primarily couches); medium, narrow, and fine wale fabrics are usually found in garments worn above the waist.

Corduroy is made by weaving extra sets of fiber into the base fabric to form vertical ridges called wales. The wales are built so that clear lines can be seen when they are cut into pile. The primary types of corduroy are:

• Standard wale: 11 wales/inch, and available in many colors. This cloth is sturdy and practical.
• Pincord/pinwale/needlecord: Pincord is the finest cord around with a count at the upper end of the spectrum (above 16) and has a feel as soft as velveteen.
• Pigment dyed/printed corduroy: The process of coloring or printing corduroy with pigment dyes. The dye is applied to the surface of the fabric, then the garment is cut and sewn. When washed during the final phase of the manufacturing process, the pigment dye washes out in an irregular way, creating a vintage look. The color of each garment becomes softer with each washing, and there is a subtle color variation from one to the next. No two are alike.

Other names[link]

Other names are often used for corduroy. Alternative names include: corded velveteen, elephant cord, pin cord, Manchester cloth and cords.^[4]

In continental Europe, corduroy is commonly known simply as "Manchester" or "Cord".

Corduroy Appreciation Day[link]

The dates of 1|11 and 11|11 have been dubbed as Corduroy Appreciation Day, because of their visual similarity to corduroy wales. The date of 11|11|11 is considered to be the "holiest" of Corduroy Appreciation days.^[5]

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Corduroy

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For the basketball player, see Donnie Freeman

Don Freeman
Don Freeman
Born	(1908-08-11)August 11, 1908 San Diego, California
Died	January 1, 1978(1978-01-01) (aged 69)[1]
Nationality	American
Area(s)	Cartoonist, Penciller
Notable works	Corduroy

Don Freeman (August 11, 1908 – January 1, 1978) was a painter, printmaker, cartoonist, children's book author, and illustrator.

Early life[link]

Freeman was born in San Diego, California, attended high school in Missouri, attended Principia College and later moved to New York City, where he studied etching at the Art Students League with John Sloan and Harry Wickey.

Career[link]

Frequent subjects of Freeman's included Broadway theatre, politics, and the circus. Freeman was known for carrying a sketchbook with him wherever he went. His images depicted New York City, and the faces of the people he observed on the streets, in the theaters, and in the subways. They often included images of showgirls, Bowery Boys, drunks, apple sellers, window washers and numerous citizens of the city that were down on their luck. Freeman was also a jazz musician and the brother of hotel entrepreneur Warren Freeman.

As Freeman's career progressed, he lightened his palette and depicted more upbeat subjects. In 1951, he began illustrating children's books. His wife, Lydia, who was also an accomplished artist, authored the books Freeman illustrated. The Freemans eventually moved to Santa Barbara, California where they spent the remainder of their lives.^[2]

Don Freeman was first introduced to children's literature when William Saroyan asked him to illustrate several books. However, his greatest influence came from the artist Honoré Daumier. Freeman studied many of Daumier’s works as well as possessed a large collection of books on the artist.

Throughout Don Freeman’s career he was the author and illustrator of over 20 children’s books. He is best known for his publication of Corduroy. Although he came up with many of his ideas on his own, his wife, Lydia Freeman, contributed greatly to his success, having co-authored two books with him, including Chuggy and the Blue Caboose and Pet of the Met. She was very influential to her husband's work, as he relied on her for inspiration for his pieces. He would read his work aloud to her as well as any children around in order to gain feedback on a particular piece. She too became a well known artist in her later life.

“Simplicity is the essence of children’s book stories, not simple mindedness.” Don Freeman once stated when speaking to an audience who was interested in writing, illustrating and publishing children’s books.

Freeman also drew cartoons for magazines and newspapers, including the Herald Tribune, New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, and Theater Magazine.

Bibliography[link]

Book titles include:

• Corduroy
• A Pocket for Corduroy
• Space Witch (1959)
• Tilly Witch
• Beady Bear
• Dandelion
• Flash the Dash
• Inspector Peckit
• Mop Top
• Norman the Doorman
• A Rainbow of My Own
• Earl the Squirrel
• Manuelo the Playing Mantis
• Dandelion
• Chuggy and the Blue Caboose
• Hattie the Backstage Bat
• Pet of the Met

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Don Freeman interview, 1965 June 4, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
• Figureworks.com/20th Century work at www.figureworks.com
• Don Freeman Biography