by topaz » Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:40 pm
AMS,
I'm a Textiles Merit Badge Counselor. I studied Textiles in College, so I was happy to put my knowledge and studies to use. As far as the terms go, you can do a Google search on most of those and examples are in the MB book. Since they've added the process of making synthetics to the MB book, it has changed significantly over the last few years. I find the boys really enjoy this badge, but it takes some persuasion to get them started. I have my gear in a small box that I take to Winter Camp, Merit Badge Fair, etc, and the Scouts can complete this badge in about 1.5 hours. They especially enjoy doing the 'burn' tests on fibers and hair to help determine whether they are wool, cotton, nylon, etc. I also have a small lighted microscope to let them look at fibers. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Glad to see someone interested in this badge!