Textiles Technology
The study of Textiles Technology provides students with knowledge of the properties, performance and uses of textiles. They explore fabrics, yarns, fibres and colouration. Students examine the historical, cultural and contemporary perspectives on textile design and develop an appreciation of the factors affecting them as textile consumers. Students investigate the work of textile designers and make judgements about the appropriateness of design ideas, the selection of materials and tools, and the quality of textile items. Students undertake a range of practical experiences which occupy the majority of the course time.
Textile projects give students the opportunity to be creative, independent learners and to explore functional and aesthetic aspects of textiles. Project work forms the basis of every unit of work and students will complete a textile item and portfolio work in each unit. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE FABRIC AND NOTIONS TO COMPLETE PROJECT WORK.
What will students learn about?
Students learn about textiles through the study of different focus areas that recognise the following fields of textiles including: Apparel, Furnishings, Costume, Textile Arts and Non-apparel through the three areas of Study including Design, Properties and Performance of Textiles and Textiles and Society.
What will students learn to do?
· Generate and develop design ideas using drawing and rendering techniques, and fashion illustration techniques
· Use textile equipment to construct a quality textile item including using the sewing machine and overlockers
· calculate quantity and cost of requirements for a textile item
· Interpret, modify and use commercial patterns and/or produce simple patterns for a textile item, including notions, fabric requirements, instruction sheet, pattern markings and layout.
· Investigate historical, cultural and contemporary sources of inspiration used by textiles designers.
· Investigate the elements of design, for example: – line, direction, shape, size, colour, value and texture and describe how the elements of design have been used by textile designers
· Experiment with colour and decorating methods for a specific end product including machine and hand embroidery, dying and printing
· Identify design features and manufacturing techniques of textile items,
· Identify how fabric, yarn and fibre properties contribute to the performance of textile items
Past project work has included making Pyjamas, soft toys, patchwork quilts, fashion garments, upcycling textiles and textile art wall hangings.