1912年，由国民政府教育部直接管辖的“以教授高等工业学术，养成工业人才为宗旨”的北京工业专门学校设立了机织科，这是中国北方最早的高等教育纺织系科，标志着我国近代纺织高等教育的肇始与奠基。机织科从本校预科班招收学生，修业三年；后取消预科，改为修业四年。其专业教师大都是学成归国的欧美留学生，教科书是欧美版本，学生实习用的也是购自英国的纺织染整机器设备。
教育部请陆军部录用北京工业专门学校毕业生的公函
教育部请陆军部录用北京工业专门学校毕业生的名单
In 1912, the Department of Weaving was established by Beijing Polytechnic School, directly under the Education Ministry of the National Government, following the “tenet of teaching advanced industrial knowledge and cultivating industrial talents”. As the first department of weaving for higher education in North China, it signified the beginning and inauguration of higher education for weaving in modern China. The Department of Weaving recruited students from the preparatory classes of this school for a three-year study, and later cancelled the preparatory class for a four-year study. Most of its teachers were returned Chinese students from Europe and America and taught students with European and American textbooks. Moreover, dyeing and finishing machines and equipment for students’ practical training were purchased from the Great Britain.