Inside Textiles: Science, Design & Innovation

KITE, 550 University Avenue - Basement Lecture Room (B-121)

Series Description:

Textiles are everywhere — in what we wear, in how we heal, and in the technologies shaping our future. This four-session series, Inside Textiles: Science, Design & Innovation, offers an accessible yet in-depth journey through the fascinating world of textile science & engineering, inviting designers, scientists, makers, and curious minds alike to discover the materials that shape our daily lives.

Across hands-on and interactive sessions, you’ll explore the building blocks of fibres and yarns and learn how fabric structures are engineered. You’ll dive into the surprisingly complex world of textile coloration and see how expert testing ensures quality and performance. Along the way, this series connects foundational knowledge to real-world applications spanning fashion, healthcare, sustainability, and the smart textiles of tomorrow.

Each session is designed as a stand-alone experience that provides valuable insights on its own, but together they build on one another — gradually deepening your understanding and skills. Content closely mirrors what is typically covered in undergraduate textile science courses, making this series both an accessible and essential foundation for anyone eager to understand the fabric of everyday life.

Every session includes a Q&A with the speaker and offers time for networking with fellow attendees. Attendees can enjoy tea, coffee, and light snacks throughout the events, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for learning and connection.

Participants who attend all four sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion, recognizing the comprehensive nature of this learning journey and your commitment to exploring textiles as both science and creative material.

Join us to bridge creativity and science, explore innovations, and unlock the potential woven into every fibre.

Session 1: From Fibre to Yarn: The Science beneath Every Fabric

Event Description:
Every fabric starts with a fibre. In this session, we’ll explore the science of fibres and yarns — the tiny building blocks that shape stretch, softness, and strength in every textile. We’ll look at critical fibre properties for product design, from everyday wear to high-performance sports gear and medical textiles, and discover how yarn engineering impacts fabric qualities like comfort, bulk, and resilience.

Host or Publisher KITE Research Institute