Introduction to Textiles

Overview

We are all surrounded by fabrics every day of our lives and, whether interested in fashion or not, we are aware of the continuous reinvention of new colours, patterns and designs in fabrics. But what do you know about the fibres that fabrics are made from and the processes involved to make them? How are the colours and designs applied? What would you look for in selecting a fabric for yourself or for a customer?

In this Introduction to Textiles course at the University of the Arts London (UAL), you will learn about the different types of fibres, both natural and synthetic, and the processes involved to create the wide variety of fabrics manufactured commercially. Each week will be composed of lively online workshops, discussions, individual assignments, personal feedback from your tutor and further information on the making of textile fabrics.

Outcomes

By the end of this course you will have:

• Learned about raw materials for textiles and where they come from
• Understood what it means that a fabric is woven or knitted, dyed or printed
• Learned the properties of fabrics, how they can be enhanced and what they can be used for
• Developed an understanding of the environmental impact of textile raw materials and their processing
• Learned the terminology used in fabric processes and be able to explain what happens in the making of fabrics
• Understood how you go about analysing a fabric to find out how it is made and what it is made from