Textiles
Students will develop their creative capacities, ability to interpret artists & designers work and apply their knowledge throughout their work. Students will also develop their critical understanding of the theoretical and conceptual issues central to the practice of art & textiles and the social, historical, and cultural context in which it is practised.
Curriculum Rationale
Throughout the study of Textiles students will develop the skills of:
- Developing ideas through investigations and research
- Experimenting with appropriate materials, techniques, and processes
- Recording ideas, observations, and insights through relevant intentions as work progresses
- Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language
The skills learnt within Textiles will focus on traditional and emerging technologies. As in all the Technology specialism, the aim is to develop creative thinkers who can respond to changes and develop ideas, products, and artworks, that show some understanding of social, economic, and environmental issues.
Aims of the subject
The aims are to equip students with the basic life skills so that they can complete simple repairs. As students’ progress, they should be able to think critically, be equipped with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design in GCSE Art and D&T. Emphasis is not just on manual skills, but also on creative ideas and imaginative approaches to the use of materials and processes. Textiles will promote learning across a variety of experiences and through various processes, tools, techniques, materials, and resources to generate different kinds of evidence of working and outcomes.
Year 7
In Year 7, students design and make a small fabric container or bag. They will explore the theme “Monsters” and produce a personalised product to keep. They will study the work of an artist and create a logo using fabrics they will applique. The students will learn about basic textiles equipment and safety. Through a series of small, focused tasks, they become familiar with the sewing machines and have a chance to become skilful in the use of them. They also have a chance to learn and improve hand-sewing, scissor skills, and understand how fibres are turned into fabrics.
Year 8
In Year 8, students design and make a cushion, based on different cultures, using a variety of decorative techniques. Students will build on the skills they acquire in Year 7 and learn new processes, such as block printing, repeat pattern, stencil printing and screen printing. Students make their own cushion and make choices about the features they include. They will consider ethical issues of fast fashion, mass production and cheap foreign labour.
Year 9
In Year 9, students will create a decorative wall hanging. This work will be inspired by African masks and a Nigerian Artist. Firstly, they will produce batik fabric panels in the style of an African artist. The second product allows students to work in a more independent way as they draw on their past learning to embellish the batik with embroidery, beading and gems. Some students will build on their sewing machine skills, as they explore the possibilities of free-machine embroidery. There is a focus on sustainability and the role designers can play in improving the environmental impact of fast fashion and cheap imported products. Students will produce a case study on the fashion chain, Primark, and Shein.
Further information from Mrs W Wrafter