Boy Scout Textile Merit Badge
In December 2011, 9 boys from Burien's Troop 375 began their work toward earning the Textile Merit Badge.
The Scouts started their morning with a tour at Outdoor Research Company down in the Sodo area. They viewed the cutting and sewing production of Outdoor Research's military outerwear department and toured the whole corporate headquarters, as one dimension of the Merit Badge is employment opportunities in that field.
Then they carpooled over to the Southeast Seattle Senior Center, where they spent the rest of the day in the Weaving Studio and nearby classroom, learning to weave on table looms, inkle looms, a bead loom, a tapestry loom, and a floor loom.
In the afternoon, everyone tried their hand at wet felting. It didn't hurt that this was just before the holidays, and several boys decided to make their weaving one of their holiday gifts to a loved one.
Other things they covered at the Senior Center were examining natural fibers from the raw state through processing and as a finished product, and they studied fabric swatches for construction and content. They learned about advantages and disadvantages of natural and manmade fibers for use in various situations - camping, medical uses, clothing, military uses, home use, etc.
In subsequent shorter meetings, the boys will experience kumihimo braiding, natural dying, and learning to spin. Hopefully after this test case, we can involve other troops in earning this badge.