Textiles

Year 7

Our Year 7 students have had a wonderfully creative and productive time in the Textiles classroom as they bring their Supermarket Stitch projects to life.

This week, students explored their packaging designs in greater depth and began diving into the world of hand embroidery. They learned and practised key stitches: running stitch, back stitch, cross stitch, and blanket stitch, showing fantastic focus and enthusiasm. Many were incredibly proud of their progress, and it is already clear we have a very talented group on our hands.

Alongside embroidery practice, students began creating paper templates and cutting out felt pieces for their final textile products. It was brilliant to see them using rulers and equipment with care, ensuring accurate measurements as they worked toward creating realistic replicas of their chosen supermarket items.

Now that construction has begun, excitement is building as products start to take shape. Some designs are already instantly recognisable, and the classroom is buzzing with colour, creativity, and laughter as the collection grows.

Year 9 

Over the past few weeks our Year 9 Textiles students have been diving deep into the design and making process, building both technical skills and independence along the way.

We began by exploring body shapes and learning how to take accurate body measurements, an essential skill for ensuring a custom fit when students begin modifying their shorts pattern. From there, we unpacked commercial patterns, building confidence with important terminology such as grain, selvedge, and understanding how to follow step-by-step pattern instructions.

Once students had built this foundation, they moved into the exciting stage of cutting out their fabric. Some chose to take on the challenge of making shorts, while others ambitiously opted to create a pair of pants. With fabric pieces ready, students have now been on the sewing machines, putting practice into action. After independently setting up their machines, they began overlocking the edges to secure them and prevent fraying, a tricky but vital step. Many have since moved on to stitching their side seams together.

What has truly stood out throughout this process is the teamwork and support on display in the classroom. Students have been encouraging and helping one another, creating a collaborative studio atmosphere where everyone feels proud of their progress. Their designs are beginning to take shape, and we are all excited to see their garments come to life in the weeks ahead.

Year 10

Our Year 10 students are fully underway with developing their Techniques Folio, where they are exploring the many ways fabrics can be constructed and coloured.

Over the past few weeks, we have:

• Investigated fabric construction methods such as woven, knitted, and bonded fabrics.
• Brought theory to life through felt-making, where students experimented with bonding fibres to create their own textured fabric samples.
• Explored natural dying by extracting pigments from everyday natural sources (onions skins, cabbage, tea, berries) alongside experimenting with PH levels to adjust the colours by adding natural acids and alkaline. 
• Begun further natural dyeing exploration, including our ongoing solar dyeing project. Students foraged in the school grounds for natural materials, filling jars with leaves, petals, and other plant matter, which will slowly release pigments over time.

This activity encouraged students to connect with the land, noticing the colours, textures, and resources it provides. We also reflected on how First Nations Australians have cared for Country and sustainably used these natural resources for tens of thousands of years, and how their knowledge continues to guide sustainable practices today.

Our jars are now resting in the sun, and in four weeks’ time, we will unveil the results, a celebration of sustainable colouration, creativity, and connection to Country.

VCE

Our VCE Textiles students have started the year with incredible success. Their Unit 1 folios and outcomes were proudly on display at our Subject Expo, where their professional finishes, execution, and innovative bag designs received glowing feedback from staff, students, and families. We could not be prouder of their efforts and the way they showcased their skills and creativity.

Since then, students have moved into Unit 2: Designing to Make a Positive Impact. This unit challenges students to go beyond personal design interests, instead developing solutions that can improve the lives of others. Drawing on real case studies from relatives, friends, teachers, and volunteers, they have engaged in in-depth research with empathy at the core of their design thinking.

To deepen their understanding, students took part in an experiential empathy lesson. Each student was given an impairment scenario to experience firsthand, along with the tools, clothing, or games linked to that challenge. They then reflected on their experience and brainstormed inclusive design responses. Some examples included:

✏️ Fine motor skill challenges: replacing Lego with Connectix tiles to make building more accessible

✏️ Reduced muscle strength: using a giant pencil to highlight the difficulty of writing

✏️ Amputee experience: attempting to fasten buttons, then trialling press studs as an alternative

This reflective activity encouraged students to think beyond aesthetics and consider how thoughtful design can promote inclusion, dignity, and functionality. We are excited to see how these insights will shape their final products for their chosen clients.