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Take your textiles technology knowledge to the next level and deepen your understanding of how materials, processes and manufacturing techniques are applied in industry.

Building on the knowledge covered in Introduction to Textiles Technology, this course combines hands-on activities and practical demonstrations to develop your understanding of fibres, yarn creation, spinning, nonwoven manufacturing and fabric construction. You will gain practical experience in knitting, weaving and textile testing, exploring how different processes influence textile performance and real-world applications.

This course forms part of the Textiles Technology Programme and can be taken as a standalone course or as part of the full programme. You’ll learn in small groups of up to 10 participants, providing opportunities for discussion, individual feedback and guidance from experienced tutors.

A close-up of a digital testing control console (ProMace) used for precision material analysis.

What Does the Course Cover?

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Explore different fibre types, their properties and their practical applications across a range of textile products.
Investigate yarn manufacturing processes and understand how yarn characteristics influence fabric performance and end use.
Compare woven, knitted and nonwoven fabrics through practical demonstrations and manufacturing activities.
Learn spinning techniques in specialist textile laboratories, transforming raw fibres into yarn for different applications.
Explore weaving and industrial knitting techniques, experimenting with yarns and structures to understand their impact on fabric characteristics and performance.
Carry out textile testing to evaluate fabric performance, quality and durability using industry-relevant methods.

What Skills Will You Gain?

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Develop practical skills in textile production processes, strengthening your technical knowledge and confidence within the textiles industry.
Apply theoretical knowledge through hands-on activities and practical projects, developing the ability to assess and respond to real-world textile challenges.
Gain a deeper understanding of current textile technologies, manufacturing techniques and material performance.
Build a strong foundation for further specialisation in areas such as textile design, quality control, product development or manufacturing.

Who Is This Course For?

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This course is ideal for those who have completed Introduction to Textiles Technology or already have a foundational understanding of textiles and want to develop their practical knowledge.

Fashion and textile professionals looking to strengthen their technical understanding of fibres, yarns, fabrics and manufacturing processes.
Designers, buyers, product developers and sourcing professionals who want to make more informed decisions about materials and production.
Individuals interested in developing a deeper understanding of textile manufacturing and fabric performance.
Aspiring textile professionals looking to build industry-relevant knowledge and prepare for further study.

All materials and equipment required for the course are provided and included in the course fee.

Participants will also receive complimentary refreshments, including snacks, hot drinks and light breakfast pastries, along with a lunch voucher redeemable at the University Union refectory.

The University of Leeds is a globally recognised institution for textiles and fashion, offering access to outstanding specialist facilities in the heart of campus. Our facilities include advanced materials testing laboratories, fibre-spinning, wet- and melt-spinning facilities, a dedicated Nonwovens Lab and fully equipped knit and weave studios, providing practical demonstrations of a wide range of textile processes.

On-campus courses provide a collaborative learning environment where you’ll learn from experts using industry-standard equipment and techniques. From fibre and fabric development to nonwoven manufacturing and materials testing, you’ll gain practical skills and insights that you can apply immediately to your practice.

Find Out More About Our Facilities

Dr. Eleanor Scott

Lecturer in Fashion Design: Creative Knit and Innovation

Dr Eleanor Scott specialises in sustainable fashion, knitted textiles and textile innovation. Her expertise spans knitwear design, knit programming, design for disassembly, design for durability and user-personalised clothing, with a particular focus on sustainable product development and circular design.

Drawing on experience as both a fashion brand owner and researcher, Dr Scott combines industry insight with innovative research into waste reduction, seamless knitwear technologies and circular economy principles. Her work explores how design strategies, including Design for Disassembly and product durability, can support more sustainable approaches to textile and fashion production.

Course Contributors

Dr. Abdul Jabbar

Research Fellow in Sustainable Textile Manufacturing

Dr Abdul Jabbar specialises in sustainable textile manufacturing, with expertise in textile technology, sustainable production, textile durability, recycling and microplastic pollution. With over 15 years of experience across academia, research and industry, his work focuses on advancing sustainable practices and collaborating with industry partners to address key challenges facing the global textiles sector.

Drawing on experience in textile manufacturing alongside his research career, Dr Jabbar investigates topics including fibre fragmentation and microplastic release, textile wear and durability, spun yarn performance, woven textile technologies, and textile and fibre-reinforced composites. His research supports the development of more sustainable materials and manufacturing processes for the future of the textile industry.

Mary Glasper

Lead Technician – Fashion, Textiles & Colour

Mary Glasper specialises in textile processing, nonwoven manufacturing, textile testing and sustainable materials. Her expertise spans textile manufacturing processes, material performance, product development and textile recycling, with a particular focus on nonwoven technologies and circularity.

Drawing on experience across both industry and academia in Canada, Mary has worked in fabric development, manufacturing, research and textile testing. Her career includes work on flame-resistant protective clothing, technical apparel development and textile recycling initiatives, including roles with Arc’teryx and the University of Alberta. Her work focuses on advancing sustainable textile manufacturing and supporting the development of innovative materials and production processes.

Alice Hazlehurst

Materials Testing Research Technician

Alice Hazlehurst specialises in textile and materials testing, with expertise in evaluating material performance, durability, quality and sustainability. Her work focuses on the application of industry-standard testing methods to assess textile performance and support materials development.

Drawing on experience in applied research and industry collaboration, Alice has contributed to projects exploring textile durability, sustainability and performance evaluation, including collaborations with organisations such as Adidas and Berghaus. Her work centres on advancing textile testing methodologies and supporting the development of innovative materials through practical evaluation and technical analysis.

Ian Rees

Textile Manufacturing Technician

Ian Rees specialises in machine knitting, knitwear production and textile manufacturing, with extensive experience in technical knit development and the use of industrial knitting technologies. His expertise spans practical machine knitting techniques, textile processes and the application of manufacturing knowledge within contemporary fashion and textile practice.

Drawing on more than three decades of industry experience, Ian has worked with leading organisations including Nike Research & Development and Shima Seiki, as well as supporting innovation through freelance collaborations within the UK fashion sector. His work has focused on technical development, manufacturing processes and the advancement of knitwear technologies, bringing valuable industry insight into professional learning at the School of Design.