Textiles
It has been another epic few weeks in Textiles, with our students designing, creating, problem solving and, most importantly, making!
Year 7 | Supermarket Stitch
Our Year 7 students have reached the end of their Supermarket Stitch project, and what an incredible collection of creations they have produced! From felt yoghurts to noodle boxes and everything in between, it has been fantastic to see students take a simple concept and transform it into a finished textile product in just a few weeks. Throughout the project, students have explored hand embroidery, pattern construction and the use of numeracy skills to accurately measure and create their replicas, while also putting their creativity and design thinking to the test. Who would have thought that a few pieces of felt, some thread and a whole lot of creativity could turn into a miniature supermarket aisle?!
Well done, Year 7! Students have now moved onto their next project, where they will be designing and creating either a reusable bag or cushion for an identified end user. They will follow the design process, considering what their end user might want in terms of pattern, colour and functionality before bringing their designs to life through tie dye, block printing and digital embroidery. And then comes the best part… they will be on the sewing machines, whipping everything together! It is shaping up to be an epic Term 4.
Year 9 | From Pattern to Product
Our Year 9 students have also completed one of their projects, walking away with something pretty special: a custom made pair of shorts designed and constructed to fit them. Students have developed their understanding of pattern construction, garment assembly and the design process, and it has been fantastic to see them take ownership of creating something they can actually wear.
They are now moving onto their next challenge: creating a bucket hat! This project will introduce students to more complex construction methods while also expanding their knowledge of surface pattern techniques. One of the exciting new techniques they will explore is heliographic dyeing, using dyes that react with UV light to create unique patterns and effects on the fabric.
Year 10 | From Page to Play
Our Year 10 students are now officially into the manufacturing phase of their major project, and this is where things really start to get exciting! Students have spent the term designing a children's outfit inspired by a storybook, exploring how they can translate their chosen story, characters and themes into construction and surface pattern techniques.
They are now taking their plain white cotton drill and beginning the transformation into their final masterpieces. We have everything from The Gruffalo to The Very Hungry Caterpillar, along with a design inspired by a storybook written by a GSC published author. It has been fantastic to see the variety of ideas and interpretations coming through in their designs.
As students manufacture their outfits, they are also considering the important responsibilities that come with designing children's clothing. They are exploring safety considerations for children's garments, reflecting on their primary research into what parents and end users want from children's clothing, and ensuring their final designs respond to their brief. They are also learning about copyright and intellectual property and the importance of developing their own original design ideas rather than simply copying an existing product or character.
There is still plenty of making, problem solving and designing ahead, but the transformation has already begun, and that is always the most exciting part of Textiles!
Well done to all of our Textiles students. Bring on Term 4!
