considerable amount
of time surfing the web to resource my teaching of this aspect
of textiles technology. I was therefore delighted to find
a comprehensive textbook with the answers to all my questions!
The book is clearly set out in three chapters that cover:
- - developments
in commercial fibre sources
All you need to know about the main natural and manufactured
fibres including really up to date information on technological
developments. (Did you know they are working on modifying
cotton so that it can be grown in different colours?)
- - non-traditional
fibre sources
This chapter covers some of the more unusual fibre sources
for example, bast, peat, alginate, metals and minerals.
There are also some very unusual fibre sources described
- bio fibres (fibres produced using genetic engineering
i.e. adding a single spider silk gene to the DNA in goats
has produced bio steel fibres within the goats milk) and
nano-fibres (fibres as small as one micron or even less)
- - new
properties
This covers all the protective and comfort properties plus
those all important 'smart and interactive' textiles (Chromatic
dyes and inks, 'Wearable electronics' and Biomimetics)
Understanding fibres and fabrics and
all the new technological developments involved in their production
is often a daunting prospect for teachers, and even more confusing
for pupils! This book is written in a way that even the less
scientific among us can follow and understand it easily. It
provided invaluable reference material for any GCSE or post
16 Textiles course.
Each fibre topic is set out on a double
page spread with clear text and black and white illustrations.
There are two questions for students to answer related to
the fibre/topic. As it can be photocopied for use in schools
these make ideal worksheets for use both in lessons and for
homework.
The appendix includes a comprehensive
glossary covering all the technical vocabulary used in the
book. These are useful web addresses for numerous different
fibres and fabrics to enable students to carry out further
research. There is also a list of textile manufacturers contact
details (with the suggestion that teachers rather than students
contact these!).
The book costs £35 (a similar price
to other photcopiable resources) and is certainly worth every
penny. It addresses all the needs of both the student and
the teacher in coming to grips with this rapidly changing
area of textiles technology. It is definitely worth adding
to your resource library.
Reviewer: Helen Wilson
Head of Textiles Technology, Plantsbrook School
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