Textile

Textile requirements

1. Discuss with your merit badge counselor the importance of textiles. In your discussion define the terms fiber, fabric and textile. Give examples of textiles you use every day.
2. Do the following:

   a. Get swatches of two natural fiber fabrics (100 percent cotton, linen, wool or silk; no blends) Get swatches of two synthetic fiber fabrics (nylon, polyester, acrylic, olefin, or spandex). Get a sample of one cellulosic fabric (rayon, acetate or lyocell).

   b. Give the origin, major characteristics, and general content of each type of fiber obtained for 2(a). Explain the difference between a cellulosic manufactured fiber and a synthetic manufactured fiber.

   c. Describe the main steps in making raw fiber into yarn, and yarn into fabric.

   d. Assume you will soon buy a new garment or other textile item. Tell your counselor what fiber or blend of fibers you want the item to be, and give reasons for your choice.

3. Do TWO of the following:

   a. Visit a textile plant, textile products manufacturer or textile school or college. Report on what you saw and learned.

   b. Weave a belt, headband, place mat or wall hanging. Use a simple loom that you have made yourself.

   c. With a magnifying glass, examine a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, and a knitted fabric. Sketch what you see. Explain how the three constructions are different.

   d. Make a piece of felt.

   e. Make two natural dyes and use them to dye a garment or a piece of fabric.

   f. Waterproof a fabric.

   g. Demonstrate how to identify fibers, using a microscope identification or the breaking test.

4. Explain the meaning of 10 of the following terms: warp, harness, heddle, shed, aramid, spandex, sliver, yarn, spindle, distaff, loom, cellulose, sericulture, extrusion, carbon fibers, spinneret, staple, worsted, nonwoven, greige goods.
5. List the advantages and disadvantages of natural plant fibers, natural animal fibers, cellulosic manufactured fibers, and synthetic manufactured fibers. Identify and discuss at least four ecological concerns regarding the production and care of textiles.
6. Explain to your merit badge counselor, either verbally or in a written report, five career possibilities in the textile industry. Tell about two positions that interest you the most and the education, cost of training and specific duties those positions require.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2014 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #637685)

A FREE workbook for Textile is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Textile requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: American Business - Architecture - Aviation - Chemistry - Crime Prevention - Dentistry - Engineering - Entrepreneurship - Inventing - Journalism - Landscape Architecture - Law - Medicine - Personal Management - Pulp and Paper - Salesmanship - Surveying - Textile - Veterinary Medicine
• Webelos Activity Badges: Engineer - Scientist
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Mathematics - Science

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)