IFI Materials Seminar: "Basic Knowledge of Apparel Materials"

Yesterday, I took part in IFI's one-day intensive seminar, "Basic Knowledge of Apparel Materials."

 Throughout the day, we studied a wide range of topics, from raw materials to processing.

 There was also a class on material theory when I was a student, and I had studied materials then too, but

what I heard then without much awareness and what I heard now led me to think about different things.

 I had never had the experience of touching raw materials before they become yarn or textile and looking at them from the perspective of fibers, so I think it was a very valuable experience!

 Knowledge that I had only vaguely understood until now became clear, and I was able to say, "I see! So that's why!"

 For example, I had pictured worsted and woolen as being smooth for worsted and rough for woolen, but

 worsted is yarn made from long fibers, so it is smooth, while woolen is yarn made from short fibers, so it has fuzz and a fuller feel.

 I learned that each has its own advantages, and that these are reflected in the characteristics of the textile.

 I was able to learn about the characteristics of textiles from the raw material and yarn stages, so I'm really glad I went. 

 The instructor, Mr. Nakaguchi's stories from his experience and the trivia about textiles were also interesting, and it was a lot of fun.

 I want to do my best so I can put what I learned this time to use.    

I got a swatch book!