In a message dated 8/16/2009 7:20:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Considering that modern technology has considerably affected fibers, dyes, and finishes, how useful is a modern course on same to someone only interested in historic costume? I am aware that even natural dyes, etc. have not been the same everywhere and everywhen. But if a modern course is largely devoted to synthetic fibers and the dyes for them, and modern processes, preparing students for practical careers in modern factories, how useful is it to the historian? Fibers are fibers--the natural fibers haven't changed--they are still chemically the same. Fabric structures, also, are, for the most part the same--weaving, knitting (even knitting machines go back quite a way in history), netting, felting. And while you are correct that SOME modern dyes are different, we learned about the basics, too, like indigo. In fact, I did my dissertation on the transition from natural to synthetic dyes in the mid-19th century. I had to know and understand where natural dyes came from and how they worked as a background for the early development of synthetic dyes. Not all programs are designed solely to prepare people for the modern textile industry. Ann Wass _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
