Designing a Dream

Elizabeth Redvanly thoroughly enjoys nabbing any scientific sample she can find on the Country Day campus. The senior’s wide array of test samples reads like an exotic scavenger hunt: grass, clay, black beans, turmeric, beets, cabbage, coffee, tea. It seems as though everyone has something to contribute to help Elizabeth conduct her innovative chemistry experiments for a course she designed, called Textile Exploration. Specifically, Elizabeth is fascinated in learning how different organic materials interact chemically with textiles, such as cotton, gauze, and linen; and how the pH in each of the samples changes the color of different textiles.

“Two years ago, I realized that I was passionate about textiles after my best friend’s mom taught me how to sew,” Elizabeth recalls. “As I was thinking ahead, I knew that I really wanted to study textiles in college. Therefore, I devised my own proposal for a Senior Independent Study with fine artsteachers Meredith Green and Jaclyn Orchard. It’s been fascinating learning how chemistry can be incorporated into other fields of study,” she says.

Textile chemists study polymer science, the chemistry of dyeing and forming fibers, and color science. This field has applications in retail and textile industries, as well as in the environmental, medical, and forensic sciences.

Elizabeth might spend a morning learning how cabbage reacts with vinegar versus baking soda in a variety of textiles with different thread counts. “I’ve learned that the more acidic the dye bath, the more vibrant the colors will be,” Elizabeth explains. “Country Day has been so supportive in helping me follow my passion for textiles. My teachers have given me so much of their time as well as my own space to work in. And the cafeteria crew has saved beets and carrots for me. The grounds crew even brought me clay from the construction site to test!”

Elizabeth hopes to incorporate her love of exercise and her passion for textiles into a career in the athletic-apparel industry. “Once I know more about materials, I’d love to work for Nike or Lululemon and help invent new textiles,” she explains. Meanwhile, she loves Textile Exploration and encourages underclassmen to consider devising their own independent study courses.

I’m glad I followed through on this dream because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it!”