To explore the commercial applications of USDA patented core spinning technologies researchers developed function oriented, cotton-rich fabrics using bicomponent yarns of a function specific manmade fiber and a wrap or sheath of 100 percent cotton. Fabrics consisted of a duck fabric for military tents, twill for fire barrier/fire safe institutional uniforms, bottom weight for denim, and drill for an industrial abrasive fabric. ASTM and other standard tests showed that fabrics containing only 10-30 percent by weight core material exhibited significantly better function specific properties. A 17 percent glass core content imparted excellent fire barrier protection. Ten percent content of high performance polyethylene improved fabric tear resistance. After heat setting, a 40 percent polyester core content provided satisfactory levels of dimensinal stability and easy care properties. A 50 percent polyester content provided extra strength to an almost 100 percent cotton surface fabric/substrate for certain heavy duty industrial abrasive drills. 5 refs.