Lesson 1Acrylic: warmth, lightweight insulation, pilling tendenciesSpotlight on acrylic as a light, warm wool stand-in with good bulk. Covers its build, colouring, spinning ways, and handling bobbling, static, and care to keep cloths looking fresh.
Polymer composition and fiber morphologyBulk, warmth retention, and low densitySpinning types, crimp, and fabric aestheticsPilling, static, and abrasion performanceCare methods and common acrylic applicationsLesson 2Silk: filament properties, sheen, strength, moisture behaviorDig into silk as a long-strand protein fibre. From silk farming, pulling threads, cleaning, to linking build to shine, strength, hang. Also moisture handling, colouring, ageing, and care for lasting gleam.
Silkworm lifecycle and cocoon productionReeling, throwing, and silk yarn formationDegumming, luster, and characteristic sheenStrength, elongation, and drape behaviorMoisture, dyeing, and careful maintenanceLesson 3Polyester: filament vs. staple, moisture management, durability, hydrophobic natureBreak down polyester as a handy synthetic, comparing long-strand and short forms. Looks at water-repel, moisture tech, toughness, size stability, and uses in clothes, tech gear, home cloths.
Polymer structure and manufacturing routesFilament versus staple fiber characteristicsHydrophobicity and moisture management finishesMechanical strength and dimensional stabilityApplications, recycling, and microplastic issuesLesson 4Modal and Lyocell: production differences, wet strength, sustainability traitsCompare modal and lyocell as top remade plant fibres. Details making differences, build, wet toughness, then checks comfort, fuzzing, green claims like solvent reuse and tree certs.
Modal production, structure, and key propertiesLyocell solvent-spun process and fiber traitsWet strength, shrinkage, and laundering effectsComfort, fibrillation, and surface appearanceSustainability, LCA, and forestry standardsLesson 5Viscose/Rayon: production basics, hand and drape, dimensional stabilityCover viscose and basic rayon making from plant pulp, dissolving, spinning, remaking. Explains feel, hang, soak-up, dye take, plus size hold, shrink, and care for end cloths.
Cellulosic raw materials and pulp preparationViscose process steps and fiber formationHand, drape, absorbency, and comfort profileDimensional stability, shrinkage, and creasingCare, ironing, and common fabric applicationsLesson 6Cotton: cultivation types, long/short staple differences, comfort and careLook at cotton growth, from farming ways to long/short fibre sorts. Links shape to yarn strength, feel, comfort, and dyeing, finishing, care for lasting looks and toughness.
Conventional, organic, and BCI cotton systemsFiber morphology, maturity, and finenessStaple length, yarn quality, and fabric handleMoisture comfort, breathability, and skin feelDyeing, finishing, and laundering behaviorLesson 7Nylon: strength, elasticity, abrasion resistance, common uses in blendsCheck nylon as tough, stretchy synthetic. Covers plastic makeup, melt spinning, stretch-set, linking to wear resistance, bounce, moisture, key in socks, sportswear, mixes.
Polyamide chemistry and melt spinning processOrientation, crystallinity, and fiber propertiesElasticity, resilience, and abrasion resistanceMoisture behavior, comfort, and static issuesUses in hosiery, activewear, and technical blendsLesson 8Wool: protein fiber properties, thermal insulation, felting, careExplore wool as curly protein fibre, crimp, scales, warmth hold. Felting ways, colouring, finishing, care like shrink-proof, bobble control, heat or bug damage.
Keratin structure, crimp, and fiber morphologyThermal insulation, moisture buffering, comfortFelting behavior and shrink-resist treatmentsDyeing, finishing, and handle modificationCare labeling, laundering, and storage issuesLesson 9Eco-focused options: organic cotton, recycled polyester, bamboo viscose — pros, cons, certificationsCompare green fibres like organic cotton, reused polyester, bamboo viscose. Weigh eco effects, performance swaps, making paths, certs for smart buying and clear labels.
Organic cotton standards and agronomic impactsRecycled polyester sources and processing routesBamboo viscose production and greenwashing risksLife-cycle impacts and performance comparisonsCertifications: GOTS, GRS, OEKO-TEX, FSCLesson 10Linen (Flax): moisture handling, stiffness, wrinkle behavior, finishing effectsAnalyse flax shape, moisture hold, stiff feel, crease ways. Spinning, weaving, finishes, how treatments change comfort, shine, easy-care in linen cloths.
Flax plant, fiber extraction, and structureMoisture regain, wicking, and drying rateStiffness, crease formation, and wrinkle recoverySpinning, weaving, and typical fabric constructionsChemical and mechanical finishes for linen
