Handout 5
The World in Your Closet

The chart following can be used by students to record their survey data. Ask them to find at least ten items of their clothing that were made outside the U.S. Use the clothing labels to identify where the garment was made and from what fibers it was made. Since there is no way of knowing from exactly what country the raw material for the fibers came, research the most likely place it might be found (e.g., cotton - India). Nylon, acrylic, polyester and spandex, etc., are synthetic fibers made from coal or petroleum. The chief producers of petroleum are Saudi Arabia, the U.S., Russia, Iran and Venezuela. Rayon and acetate are cellulose fibers. They are made from cellulose, the chief commercial sources of which are cotton and wood pulp. CLOTHING ITEM WHERE MANUFACTURED? FIBER CONTENT SOURCE OF RAW MATERIAL 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.