01 Textile Science

01.2 Study Guides

Holloman, L.O. (1992). Textiles Study Guide. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-1-904327-6, 166 pages, $19.20.

Reviewed by Billie J. Collier, Louisiana State University

The Textiles Study Guide is designed to be a companion and supplemental text to any basic textiles textbook for beginning level students. The purpose is to help students organize and absorb large volumes of textile information. The Guide organized material much as the various texts do and should reinforce the information presented in class and in the texts. The different chapters require students to answer specific questions concerning fibers, yarns, fabrics, and finishes, and also present examples of situations for students to apply the knowledge. The format is that of a workbook, with spaces provided for listing points, answering questions, illustrating structure, etc. The pages are perforated so that students can complete lessons and submit them for grading.
The Guide provides a number of advantages for beginning students. An introductory list of synonymous terms alerts students to terminology that may be confusing (e.g., man-made and manufactured fibers). The opportunity to detail textile properties and processes in an organized manner can enhance students' learning and retention. It should also assist instructors in material presentation and in assessing student learning. Many of the questions encourage students to think about textile properties related to end uses and to compare fibers and yarn and fabric structures. This relation of properties to end use can be beneficial in a beginning class, and the situations presented can provide opportunities for class discussion. There is a review outline at the end, which is a handy organizational reference.
If the intent is to organize information, more consistency in the material presented would be useful. Twist direction for yarns and texturing of yarns are explained in detail, whereas other concepts which may be more difficult are covered by requesting students to fill in information. Although students are asked to list fiber properties that are important, similar, or different, it might be more useful in the beginning course book to compare the same properties for each fiber. The lack of emphasis on durable press, one of the most important finishes, may not be congruent with the coverage of many texts and instructors.
Some explanations and information in the Guide may be confusing to students. Most textbooks list satin as one of the three weaves, and sateen as a specific satin weave, a distinction that is not apparent here. The distinction between balanced and unbalanced plain weaves is likewise not apparent.
Perhaps the most important disadvantage of this workbook is the lack of quantitative material. Yarn numbering systems, fabric count, and other values used to specify textiles are important concepts which are usually covered in elementary texts. A study guide such as this would have been an appropriate medium for reinforcing this information
The Guide should be generally useful to instructors and students in beginning level textiles courses. If a laboratory manual is currently being used in those courses, however, this guide might duplicate some of the material and exercises.