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Crafts CouncilLearningCraft careers

How to become a textile maker


  • Craft careers
  • Textiles

What does a textile maker do?

Textile makers design and make textiles and textile products. They use a number of different methods in their work. Textile making may involve weaving, using a sewing machine or painting and dying textiles. They may also use textiles to create fine art objects or installations.


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They use textiles including cotton, silk, linen and wool as well as man-made and synthetic textiles in their work. Textile makers can use a number of different techniques to add a unique quality to their work:

  • they may make fabric from yarn, by weaving, knitting or felting
  • textile makers sometimes use dyes and stains to colour the textiles, or print patterns onto textile surfaces
  • a worker may knit to produce a range of shapes and effects
  • silk painters use textiles to produce decorated or painted items such as scarves, cushions or panels.

Skills that you’ll need:

  • know about the properties of raw materials used in this industry
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
  • knowledge of physics, maths
  • analytical thinking skills
  • science skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail

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What does a textile maker do?

Textile makers design and make textiles and textile products. They use a number of different methods in their work. Textile making may involve weaving, using a sewing machine or painting and dying textiles. They may also use textiles to create fine art objects or installations.

They use textiles including cotton, silk, linen and wool as well as man-made and synthetic textiles in their work. Textile makers can use a number of different techniques to add a unique quality to their work:

  • They may make fabric from yarn, by weaving, knitting or felting
  • Textile makers sometimes use dyes and stains to colour the textiles, or print patterns onto textile surfaces
  • A worker may knit to produce a range of shapes and effects
  • Silk painters use textiles to produce decorated or painted items such as scarves, cushions or panels.

Skills

You’ll need:

  • know about the properties of raw materials used in this industry
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
  • knowledge of physics, maths
  • analytical thinking skills
  • science skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail

Qualifications

Degree courses

You might choose to study for a degree in:

  • textile design
  • textile science and technology
  • materials science and engineering

You could do a postgraduate qualification in a subject like textiles technology, especially if your first degree is not related to textiles.

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

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Other useful information

The Textile Institute
DRAPERS

Featured textile maker

Dalia James is a contemporary woven textile designer and hand-weaver with a sustainable approach to her design practice.  Referencing early 20th Century design and artistic philosophies she uses colour to create bold geometric designs for homeware and fashion.


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