Textile and the Trail to Eagle
Textile is an elective merit badge. It is not required for any rank, but it can count as one of the 8 elective badges a scout needs for Eagle, alongside the 13 Eagle-required badges. Elective badges are also where most scouts discover hobbies and careers, so choose ones you are genuinely curious about. Browse the complete merit badge list to compare options.
Textile Merit Badge Requirements
Summary of the 6 main requirements for Textile. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.
- 1
Discuss with your counselor the importance of textiles. Explain the terms fiber, fabric, textile.
- 2
Do the following:
- a.Get swatches of two natural-fiber fabrics and two synthetic-fiber fabrics. Get a sample of one cellulosic fabric.
- b.Give the origin, major characteristics, and general content of each type of fiber obtained.
- c.Describe the main steps in making raw fiber into yarn, and yarn into fabric.
- d.Assume you will soon buy a new garment or other textile item. Tell your counselor what fiber or blend of fibers you want the item to be.
- 3
Do TWO of the following: visit a textile plant, weave an item, examine fabrics with a magnifying glass, make a piece of felt, make two natural dyes, waterproof a fabric, or demonstrate how to identify fibers.
- 4
Explain the meaning of 10 textile terms.
- 5
List the advantages and disadvantages of natural plant fibers, natural animal fibers, cellulosic manufactured fibers, and synthetic manufactured fibers.
- 6
Explain to your counselor five career possibilities in the textile industry.
Merit badge names and emblems are trademarks of Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America). Eagle Compass is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scouting America. Requirements are summarized for planning purposes; the official requirements are authoritative.
How to Earn the Textile Merit Badge
1. Get a blue card and a counselor
Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start Textile, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.
2. Plan around the setting
Textile is usually earned on your own with a counselor. Schedule regular check-ins with your counselor so partial progress does not stall.
3. Budget the time
Expect about a month for a moderate badge like this one. Working with a partner or at a merit badge clinic can shorten it.
4. Track every requirement
Keep notes as you complete each item so your counselor can sign off without re-doing work. Eagle Compass tracks all 10 Textile requirements for you.
Textile Merit Badge FAQ
Is the Textile merit badge required for Eagle Scout?
No. Textile is an elective merit badge. It can count as one of the 8 elective badges needed for Eagle Scout, alongside the 13 Eagle-required badges.
How long does the Textile merit badge take?
Most scouts finish Textile in about a month, depending on counselor availability and how the requirements are scheduled.
Where do scouts usually earn the Textile merit badge?
Textile is most often earned on your own with a counselor. Any registered merit badge counselor for Textile can sign off requirements.
How many requirements does the Textile merit badge have?
Textile has 6 main requirements with 4 sub-requirements, for 10 items in total.
