Warp x Weft Workshop at Brtitex Fabrics

Last Tuesday, Britex hosted a workshop called Warp x Weft: Textile 101. Part of SF Made Week and led by the super-knowledgeable Geana Sieburger, the workshop provided an overview of different fiber types, the fabrics they're converted to, and the unique characteristics of each. Jon and I stopped by to learn a little somethin’ new and (bonus) enjoy the delicious apple pie provided by Three Babes Bakeshop. 

The workshop was just my style: welcoming, interactive, and tactile. Each table was piled high with raw fibers and textile swatches, carefully ordered so that we could follow along during the talk. As Geana explained how the fibers are processed into yarn, we glued bits of cotton, flax, wool, and silk to our worksheets. As she walked us through various types of fabric construction, we held up woven and knit swatches to observe how they moved and reflected light. We pulled threads loose to see how they crimped, compared cheap felt to the good stuff, and learned how cutting on the bias can affect a garment’s drape. We even passed around real silk pods, which I found rather enchanting.

Geana talking silk

The Elmer’s glue and craft tables gave the workshop a bit of an elementary school vibe, which was fine by me. As adults, we don’t tend to have the same curiosity about stuff as we did as kids, and much of our tactile interaction is limited to the plastic of our phones and keyboards. It was nice to be encouraged to pull things apart, roll the fibers between our fingertips, and generally learn with our senses.

 
There I am in the back, contemplating my next swatch

Takeaways

Although I sew often, this was one of the first times I’ve taken an up-close-and-personal look at the way fabric is put together (now I get why satin is glossy, for example). It certainly gave me a better appreciation of the work that goes into textile manufacturing, and a more holistic understanding of a garment’s lifecycle. Above all, I’m hoping it will help me make better-informed buying decisions in the future (back away from the cheap polyester!).

For Jon, who doesn’t sew but does have custom shirts and suits tailored, the session offered insight into how fabrics will breathe, drape, and wear over time. 

I highly recommend this workshop to anyone, crafty or not, interested in learning more about the fibers we wear everyday. If you're in the San Francisco area, check out the next workshop on June 12!

Photos courtesy of Geana and the Britex blog