The history of fabric closely follows human history itself. Fabrics have provided warmth and utility for thousands of years. They are quite literally woven into our everyday lives. The first known fabrics were made of flax. However, around 3000 BC, cotton as a textile material was discovered, and its qualities soon made it a favorite among people of every culture. Wool and silk gradually became popular as trade routes brought these staples to every corner of the globe. Today, fabrics offer limitless opportunities to create. They can be embellished with other fabrics or decorative materials to make clothing and accessories. Household items such as silk drapery fabric and chenille upholstery fabric add to the comfort of our lives. Sail cloth and denim travel with us, making it possible to explore the world beyond our front door. Just as the first explorers brought the beauty and utility of fabric to the societies of the world, today's fabric and textile exporters offer specialty fabrics to the public through merchants and distributors. Every imaginable fabric is available today--sold by the yard, for instance, or in quilting squares called fat quarters. Good-quality fabric can be embroidered, quilted, sewn and painted. Online sources also offer instructions for the various techniques for working with fabric. The versatility of the commonly used natural and man-made fabrics make them useful for a variety of functions and crafts, from sewing to quilting to embroidery. | 
