Cut on the bias
Was the Olympic swimming pool crooked? Wade into some musing on the physics of pool design.
Speaking of world-class swimming, mce explains all about those modern ultra-high-tech swimsuits and the new rules they brought in (suits must be made of textile!).
Speaking of textiles, here's politikitty on what happened to Levi's? -- inside blue jeans manufacturing and the tradeoffs involved in making inexpensive stretchy comfy pre-faded jeans.
Speaking of discerning durability, how do I pick good quality fabric for sewing?