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.
Even though my degree is in history, I took most of the courses in a
university textile arts program, as well as most of the ones in two
university clothing design programs (ready-to-wear and couture,
respectively). As well as having studied costume history, reproduced
historic costume, and collected antique clothing for over 35 years. I
even do dyeing. Although it's not the main interest of my readers, I was
so interested in the material on 1820s dyeing technology that I
discovered, that I inserted some of it into _The Lady's Stratagem_. I've
mostly been using Procion dyes, but my interest in natural dyeing was
renewed (I dropped it after I finished taking textile arts) and I
started to collect more old manuals on it.
So yes, Ann, I have long known that plain weave is still plain weave,
that stocking frames have a venerable history, etc.
And I am sure that some textile technology programs are not designed
entirely or mostly to cater to the student who wants a job in a modern
factory. On the other hand, some programs apparently _do_. Therefore my
suggestion is merely, that the student find the program tailored to his
or her interests, both in terms of what he/she studies and his/her
career goals--what he/she intends to do with the degree.
College is a lot of fun, and if I had my way I'd be taking a course or
two all the time, all my life. As it is, I have to settle for
reading--which, at least, is also one of my favorite ways to learn. (In
many ways, for many subjects, I personally find self-study preferable to
classes.) The fact is, a degree is time consuming, and increasingly
expensive. Therefore, it's a luxury to get one that does not lead to a
paying career or to take time off from a paying career to get one.
Even for the enjoyment aspect: When I was taking the series of courses
in pattern design, etc. for ready-to-wear, I learned a lot. I produced
historically inspired designs for every project, since that was my
interest. (My goal was to produce historically inspired designs I could
wear every day, I wasn't doing reenactment.) However, since that was not
the goal of the program, I endured constant criticism, in particular
from one instructor who was entirely unsympathetic to my tastes. And
vice versa. I became fed up with her constant exhortations to imitate
everyone else who was commercially successful, instead of trying to do
something original. Pretty soon I let those exhortations go in one ear
and out the other. I stuck with the program, I gained a great deal of
valuable information, and I still use it regularly. But in retrospect,
if I had been going to college to major in garment design, I'd have
chosen another college. The instructors in my couture program, at a
different college, were more sympathetic.
For someone interested in old technology, a textile arts program--which
in my experience focuses on hand weaving, spinning, and various other
hand-done fiber-related techniques--might be a better choice, if the
degree goal is fun and personal learning rather than a paying career.
I am not, by any means, saying it is wrong to get a degree merely for
personal learning and enjoyment. I'm just saying that it is a luxury the
student should carefully consider from a career standpoint.
Fran
Lavolta Press
New book on 1820s clothing!
http://www.lavoltapress.com
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
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