Get Into Textiles: Design, Manufacture, and Use in the 21st Century: Testing Textiles This eight-part series explores the world of the 21st century textiles industry, using case studies from top fashion houses, designers, and hands-on textiles technologists. From recycled vintage fabrics to state-of-the-art “smart” garments, viewers will gain understanding of how textiles are used as design elements as well as for industrial purposes—and how digital technology enables the creative and manufacturing processes to speed fashion to market faster than ever before. 8-part series, 25–27 minutes each. Retailers go to great lengths to ensure the garments they sell live up to certain standards of quality--anything less would mean returned purchases and the risk of losing repeat business. This program shows technicians conducting a variety of performance and physical-wear tests on fabrics. Jackets are assessed for waterproofing, breathability, wind-proofing, and warmth. T-shirts that promise to wick sweat away from the body are tested for moisture management, and nightwear, sofas, and beds must be flame-resistant. Equipment that simulates common human movements is used to make sure that fashion fabrics will not easily abrade, pill, or tear. Part of the series Get Into Textiles. (25 minutes) 1. Performance Testing (01:26) Retailers go to great lengths to ensure the garments they sell live up to certain standards of quality and to meet the claims made about the garments. 2. Performance Testing: Is It Waterproof? (02:44) Prior to garments reaching retail outlets, fabrics are put to the test to ensure product claims can be backed up. Fabrics with polyurethane (PU) coating must be waterproof. Viewers watch a number of different fabric tests. 3. Performance Testing: Is It Breathable? (02:26) Manufacturers have developed fabrics that are both waterproof and breathable. To do this, they use a special coating with tiny pores too small to let raindrops in, b