Year- 8 Subject- Textiles Topic/Concept- Design & Innovation Design Brief – A brief explains the problem a design will need to solve. The brief should be referred back to throughout the project to make sure what you are designing fits the brief and solves the problem properly. Design Specification – A specification is a list of criteria your design must meet. Usually the criteria is informed by research into the design problem. E-Textiles is the innovative idea of combining electronics into clothing or other textile items. The reasons for this are sometimes functional (e.g. to track performance or location when outdoors) but can also be purely for novelty (e.g. led lights in children’s shoes). Specially designed components have been developed to make e-textiles possible, these are specially adapted electronics which can be washed, are flexible and can be sewn onto textile garments. LED displays Heart rate monitors Soft switch sound controls GPS Tracking Innovative design is new and different. It introduces aesthetics and technologies that have haven't been seen before – something that creates a surge of adrenaline when it catches your attention. Brief Analysis The Design Process Design Development Inspiration Board Innovative Design E-Textiles LED lights Battery holder Conductive Thread Conductive Fabric Conductive Velcro
Design Brief – A brief explains the problem a design will need to solve. The brief should be referred back to throughout the project to make sure what you are designing fits the brief and solves the problem properly. Design Specification – A specification is a list of criteria your design must meet. Usually the criteria is informed by research into the design problem.
E-Textiles is the innovative idea of combining electronics into clothing or other textile items. The reasons for this are sometimes functional (e.g. to track
performance or location when outdoors) but can also be purely for novelty (e.g. led lights in children’s shoes). Specially designed components have been developed to
make e-textiles possible, these are specially adapted electronics which can be washed, are flexible and can be sewn onto textile garments.
LED displaysHeart rate monitors
Soft switch sound controls
GPS Tracking
Innovative design is new and different. It introduces aesthetics and technologies that have haven't been seen
before – something that creates a surge of adrenaline when it catches your attention.
Brief AnalysisThe Design Process Design DevelopmentInspiration Board
Fold or gather up the fabric, then tie string or elastic
bands to hold in place. Place fabric in a dye bath for an
hour. Remove, rinse, dry and iron to fix the dye in place.
Paint fabric paints onto printing blocks, then press
onto fabric to create a pattern. Interesting prints can
be created by using more than one colour of paint.
A CAD/CAM embroidery machine uses an internal
computer to create patterns using machine stitches. An example is the ‘Griffin’ logo
on your school blazer pocket.
First transfer a pencil design onto fabric, then using fabric
paint add colour using lots of water to create tone.
Created by laying yarns on top of fabric before sewing in place
using Perle threads.
Fabric shapes stitched onto another piece of
fabric by hand or machine. Works best for
chunky shapes.
Decorative stitches applied to fabric. E.g. running stitch, back
stitch, chain stitch, lazy daisy, blanket stitch etc.
A fabric manipulation technique to create folds in a fabric. Pleats will be fixed in place using an
iron and stitches.
Fabric Decoration Techniques
Presser Foot Lever (at the BACK)
Using The Sewing Machine
Fabric Decoration Techniques
Year - 8 Subject- Textiles Topic/Concept- Materials/Manufacturing
Natural FibresNatural fabrics come from plants or animals.They are often soft against the skin and breathable.They can be difficult to wash as they shrink and crease easily. Examples – cotton, silk, wool.
Synthetic FibresSynthetic fibres are made from fine threads of plastic. This means they are non-sustainable and come from a finite resource. They do not absorb much moisture so they dry easily. Because of this they are often used in sportswear.Synthetic fibres are strong and crease resistant.Because they are made from plastics they are hard to dye. Special chemical dyes are used which can be harmful to the environment. Examples – polyester, nylon
Plain Seam Overlocked SeamStraight Stitch
Zig-zag Stitch
CAD – computer aided design, when a computer is used to design a product or design.CAM – computer aided manufacture, when a computer is used to make/manufacture a product. E.g. the CAD/CAM embroidery machine or the laser cutter.Pattern/template – a paper pattern shape that is pinned onto fabric so the fabric is cut out at exactly the right size. It includes marking symbols to show different construction lines.Seam – where 2 pieces of fabric are joined together with stitching. Seam allowance – the distance between the edge of fabric and the stitching line, a standard seam allowance is 15mm.
Pattern symbols you need to know:
A seam allowance is the distance from the edge of the fabric where your sewing line will be. A standard seam allowance is 10/15mm from the edge.
Seam Line
Cutting Line
Grain Line
1.5cm seam allowance
Fibres can come from natural or synthetic sources (man-made). They are spun into yarns which are then
woven, knitted or bonded to create fabrics.
Fibre Fact File
Key TermsNatural & Synthetic Fibres
Manufacturing Your Cushion CoverYou will use a paper pattern/template to cut out the fabric for your cushion cover.
Front -Decoration goes here
Back BackFold
FoldThis type of seam is
sewn on an overlocking machine which stops woven fabrics fraying.
