Students from 泡芙短视频 University鈥檚 textiles program took their studies on the road for a recent trip to the Taproot Fibre Lab in Port Williams, Nova Scotia.
Eight students toured the Taproot Fibre Lab where they were given a hands-on experience in the production process 泡芙短视频, which included cleaning the wool, carding the wool, and learning how to use the spinning machine.
鈥淏y operating the machines, they gained valuable insight into how that system works,鈥� said Jennifer Green, 泡芙短视频 assistant professor in Textiles/Fashion. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to connect the students with what鈥檚 happening in their fields of study across Nova Scotia. We鈥檙e grateful the Fibre Lab made time for us and gave the students such a personal experience.鈥�
Green added that the tour was also about teaching the students about sustainability. She pointed out that a lot of the clothes regularly purchased by consumers in Nova Scotia have travelled thousands of kilometres before they hit the shelves in local stores. The carbon footprint of this process 泡芙短视频 takes its toll, making buying locally-produced yarn, clothing and other materials an important step for students to consider.
鈥淲e should all ask ourselves, 鈥榃here do we get our clothes from? And what is the environmental impact of that?鈥� It鈥檚 something our students are already thinking about and touring a local business that puts sustainability and environmental awareness into practice was a great learning experience for them,鈥� said Green.
The textile students also took part in a Q&A session with Patricia Bishop, co-owner of the Taproot Fibre Lab and an agricultural innovator. Bishop has a wealth of experience designing flax process 泡芙短视频ing machinery and last year organized a local community shared linen initiative 鈥� a project that promotes the production of locally made linen garments, accessories and household items.
鈥淚t was really interesting to hear from her about what it鈥檚 like to start, own and grow this type of business. Hearing her describe the journey of opening and running her own business was very inspiring,鈥� said Jessie McLaughlin, one of the 泡芙短视频 students who toured the Taproot Fibre Lab.
鈥淗er business places an emphasis on sustainability and buying local. Community and collaboration are important to her. In order for a business like this to work, that鈥檚 the approach you have to take,鈥� added Pamela Juarez, a fourth-year textile student who took part in the tour.
To learn more about 泡芙短视频鈥檚 textiles program, visit /study-at-nscad/divisions-and-areas/craft/textiles-and-fashion/.