TEXTILE CRAFT STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SUSTAINABLE CRAFTS

Abstract

Future teachers have an important role in education for sustainable development. This article describes textile craft teacher students’ perceptions of sustainable textile craft. The data derives from a survey of craft teacher students of the University of Eastern Finland (N = 20). The questionnaire included open-ended and multiple choice questions about sustainability of textile craft education and the relevance of sustainability in the students’ lives. The study reveals textile craft teacher students’ conceptions as consumers, craft makers and future textile craft teachers. The open-ended questions were analyzed by content analysis and the multiple choice questions were analyzed with statistical methods. The results were reflected to Victor Papanek’s function complex. As consumers, students favour good quality products and recycling of textiles. They are concerned about workers’ work conditions and against child labour. Although values and perceptions related to sustainable consumerism are high, sometimes the actual purchasing behaviour differs from the values because of the students’ meagre budgets. As craft makers, availability of locally produced materials and materials made of natural fibres are important to students. As future textile craft teachers, students think that craft is an excellent way to teach sustainability and sustainable craft. They consider it is important to teach life-cycle thinking but also craft culture and skills. Key words: clothing and textile design, sustainable craft, textile craft teachers.