Textiles Technology Department

Curriculum

Textiles Technology is the study of textiles and related products. Textiles now have such a wide range of applications that they affect every aspect of our daily lives - in addition to the most obvious applications of clothing and furnishings; today they are used in all kinds of machinery, for medical purposes and in civil engineering. Product design is concerned with emulating manufacturing systems that are relevant to the modern day world i.e. following the design process from design brief through to the finished product. The students must look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices.

At Key Stage 3 in year 7 pupils make a bag from a paper pattern using their own choice of fabric and embellishments. Pupils learn how to use the sewing machine including features such as embroidery and inserting a zip. Pupils also learn about the types and properties of fibres and fabrics and their care.

In year 9 the pupils are given a design brief to design and make their own cushions. This will involve market research, design ideas, planning, manufacture and evaluation of the final product.

GCSE Textiles Technology - Edexcel

Scheme of Assessment

Written Paper - 1½ hours 40%

Coursework – One project 60%

Specification Content

Classification and selection of materials and components - fibre content, yarns, fabric construction, fabric properties (aesthetic and functional).

Preparing, processing and finishing materials – decorative and stitch techniques, finishing processes, adapting patterns, testing prototypes, lay planning, construction techniques, safe use of tools and equipment, use of ICT, CAD and CAM.

Manufacturing commercial products – product manufacture for one-off, batch and mass-produced items. How ICT and computer systems enable easy and fast communication.

Design and market influence – consumer issues and importance of product reliability, labelling, British Standards, development of modern and smart materials, impact of value issues on design and manufacture (moral, environmental and cultural), analysis and evaluation of products and processes, planning.

Coursework

This is undertaken during the latter part of the course (during Year 11 (Upper V). The skills developed during the course will be used in a design and make task chosen by the student. The task should take approximately 40 hours and the majority of this work will be done in class time. The coursework involves a written project together with one piece of practical work. Evidence of the development, planning and evaluation of the product is recorded in a project folder consisting of approximately 15-20 A3 pages.

AS/A2 level

The AS/A2 specification will change for the academic year 2008-2009. Current pupils at A2 will follow the existing specification. Pupils who will start AS in 2008-2009 will follow the new specification which is detailed below:

New Specification – AQA D&T: Product Design (Textiles)

UNIT

TITLE

EXAMINATION

Written paper - Materials, Components and Application

2 hours

50% of AS

(25% of A2)

Coursework - Learning Through Designing and Making

Approx. 50 hours

(Autumn and Spring terms)

50% of AS

(25% of A2)

UNIT

TITLE

EXAMINATION

Written paper - Design and Manufacture

2 hours

25%

Coursework

Approx. 60 hours

(Autumn and Spring terms)

25%

Unit 1

Materials and Components - fibre types; yarns; fabric manufacture; product components; working properties of fibres and fabrics; manipulating and combining materials

Processes and Manufacture - industrial and commercial practice; systems and control

Design and Market Influences - development of design; design in practice; communication methods; design in the human context

Unit 2 Coursework

This is a design and make unit where knowledge of the AS subject content is applied to the design and making of candidates’ own projects. It consists of a written (or electronic) design portfolio and a manufactured outcome(s). At AS the coursework may take a number of forms; a single design and make project, two smaller projects and/or a portfolio of work.

Unit 3

Materials and Components - fibre classification and generic names; commercial names of fibres and fabrics; fabric construction methods; technical terms related to yarns; properties of fibres, yarns and fabrics; manipulating and combining materials

Processes and Manufacture - industrial and commercial practice; global production; product maintenance; health and safety; fibre, yarn and fabric manufacture; product manufacture; quality control systems

Design and Market Influences - the effects of major developments in textiles technology; the work of past and present textile designers; product life cycle; fashion cycles; the marketing function; role of new technology in marketing and sales of textiles products; the role of professionals within the textiles industry; product classification; impact of technological development; environmental concerns.

Unit 4 Coursework

This is a design and make unit where knowledge of the AS and A2 subject content is applied to the design and manufacture of the candidate’s own project. At A2 candidates submit evidence of a single, substantial designing and making activity which consists of a written (or electronic) design folder and a manufactured outcome.

Skills gained on this course:

AS and A Level Textiles will encourage students to:

develop their creativity, design and technology capability and entrepreneurial skills

recognise and overcome challenges and constraints when working towards the production of high-quality products
develop a critical understanding of the influences of the processes and products of design and technological activities from a contemporary and historical perspective
draw on and apply knowledge, understanding and skills of production processes to a range of design and technology activities
to use ICT to enhance their design and technological capability
recognise the values inherent in design and technological activities, and develop critical evaluation skills in technical, aesthetic, ethical, economic, environmental, sustainable, social, cultural and entrepreneurial contexts.
develop an understanding of the importance of health and safety

Beyond A Level:

The Textiles Industry is an extremely important sector of the British manufacturing industry and British fashion designers are world leaders in all the major fashion centres. Studying Textiles Technology promotes logical and critical thinking (problem solving) during the design process that can be applied across the curriculum and to everyday life.

Textiles Technology combines with ANY A levels to provide a broad base for many University courses. Many students who study Textiles Technology choose to continue their enthusiasm for the subject at University following courses such as Management and Marketing of Textiles; Fashion and Textiles Management; Textiles/ Fashion design etc.

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