Technologies

Increasingly Creative

With COVID lockdowns and work from home occurring around the globe over the past 18 months, there has been a huge resurgence in sewing and the creative arts in general. Last year, Amazon reported that sewing machines were the third most purchased item worldwide! Supplies disappeared off the shelves, and it was a real struggle to find fabrics for our students! There was many an empty shelf at Spotlight….!

Clothes have had far more impact on human progress than any other human endeavour. They enabled every other activity – from living in freezing cold regions, to space exploration – all impossible without the right clothes. They are also the only manufactured item that virtually everyone on the planet has experienced, every day of their life. Textiles and fashion isn’t about catwalks and runways. It’s about warm jumpers, and cosy track pants at the end of a workday or school day. It’s about putting on that one item that makes your mood improve as soon as you have it on. It’s important, on so many levels.

Sewing it a fun activity for all the family, which can easily be learned from a young age. It provides mental health benefits well beyond the actual sewing experience. Technically speaking, there’s an awful lot of problem solving and maths involved, even if you’re not aware of it! My students often roll their eyes at me when I introduce algebra into the mix when working out how to cut something out! Not just that, it’s such an important skill to have, whether it’s saving money on alterations or repairs, or creating the opportunity for making money in a microbusiness of your own. The advantages are abundant, and everyone can easily find their niche to suit their skill level..

For this week’s Technologies in Focus, please enjoy looking at photos of our students working on their current projects: Year 7’s are hand sewing ‘Warren’ the Bear, Year 8 students are just beginning their first garment, a pair of boxer shorts, having just taught themselves how to thread up the sewing machine (independence is everything in a practical class!). The Year 9 students are making both a t-shirt and flannelette pants for their first full outfit, a pair of pyjamas. The Year 10 students have learned new and creative techniques, which some are applying to their hoodie and lounge pant outfits, many of which will be on display in a few weeks at the Creative Arts Exhibition (see further details later in the newsletter).

The Textiles classroom is often a haven for students at lunchtime, coming in during their own time to continue working on these and their own projects. It’s a beautiful, creative vibe, and such a great environment for all sorts of learning! 

Mrs S Mark

(Head of Learning Area - Technologies)

Creative Arts Exhibition invitation