For my independent research, I will be following this basic schedule (with the exception of workshops and events) in order to ensure that my work is evenly distributed amongst the topics that I have chosen to cover.
Mondays – Research in the history of textile crafts and their role in cultures across the globe. This is when I will be reading books focused on textile traditions in India, the Andes, and the British Isles. (the wool spinning class at Arbutus also takes place on Mondays starting 2/2/18)
Tuesdays – Class time
Wednesdays – Textiles in the present day. This research will be focused on both the business and sustainability of both large scale textile production and small craft businesses.
Thursdays – The link between agriculture and clothing. This research will be focused on both plant fiber cultivation and wool production. During this time, I will continue to look at the question of what kinds of textile production are most sustainable.
Fridays – Subject integration. On this day each week, I will write a reflection that explains the relevancy of all of the week’s research to the textile industry to day and where it may or should go in the future. I will also use this day to fill in any gaps in research from the week.
I plan to divide each week’s research by a general questions as follows:
Week 3 – Craftsmanship through the ages – How has the practice of crafting evolved through the ages? How have the markets changed? How has material availability and social scenes affected this?
Week 4 – Wool – What is the history of wool used as textiles? How is it used today? What is/isn’t sustainable about the way modern day fashion retailers sell wool?
Week 5 – Spinning – How has spinning been seen in the past? How is it seen today? What are the pros/cons of mechanized spinning and hand spinning?
Week 6 – Plant fibers – How universal is linen as a productive crop? Which crops are most efficient from both an agricultural point of view and a textile production point of view?
Week 7 – Dyeing – How were historical garments dyed? What is the role of color in design and craftsmanship? How are garments dyed today?
Week 8 – Commodification – What are some culturally significant garments that have made their way into the fast fashion market? How have they evolved over time? Are they still made in the traditional way today? How has fast fashion effected the ability to sell traditional garments?
Week 9 – Small businesses – Is it sustainable to hand make products without selling your own labor short? How has it been done in the past? Is there a way to produce textiles for a living wage without outsourcing labor or importing cheap materials? Is outsourcing or importing necessarily a bad thing?
Week 10 – Final project – How do all of these subjects relate to the textile industry as a whole? What are possible solutions for the high turn over of fast fashion products? What is the impact of local crafts on society and culture? Are handicrafts the key to a more sustainable future for the textile industry?