Textiles
Year 7 students have now begun their exciting new design brief! Over the coming weeks, they will develop a range of creative and technical skills, including sewing machine operation, fabric dyeing and printing, and pattern construction.
This week, students deepened their understanding of the brief by focusing on the concepts of pattern and colour. Through class discussions, they explored how colour can influence a client’s decision to purchase a product and discovered examples of biomimicry, where designers draw inspiration from nature’s patterns and structures.
Students also investigated how First Nations artists use pattern as storytelling, gaining an appreciation for the cultural meaning and symbolism embedded in these designs. Building on this, they created their own unique and meaningful patterns, inspired by personal stories and ideas.
To wrap up the week, students experimented with tie dye and sewing machine practice, exploring colour blending, resist techniques, and creative expression. These explorations will directly inform the surface design of their final product, a cushion or bag that reflects both aesthetic appeal and personal meaning.
Year 9 students have kicked off Term 4 with one of our most exciting projects yet: designing and creating a Coachella Festival inspired bucket hat. This project combines surface pattern techniques such as tie dye and Batik with the challenge of constructing a complex commercial pattern.
To spark their creativity, students explored the festival’s boho and hippie aesthetics, experimenting with vibrant colour combinations and expressive designs. They produced a range of tie dye samples, carefully analysing their results before creating their final fabrics, all bursting with individuality and festival spirit.
Some students extended their creativity further by experimenting with Batik, producing unique and intricate surface designs.
Next, students will investigate the environmental impact of large festivals like Coachella, exploring sustainability and ethical design. They will then design innovative solutions that reimagine discarded materials such as tents or sleeping bags into new, purposeful creations.
It has been an incredible start to the term, full of colour, creativity, and thoughtful design thinking.
Our VCE Product Design and Technology students have been working incredibly hard this term as they bring their inclusive clothing designs to life. These thoughtful projects aim to support individuals with medical conditions, sensory sensitivities, or accessibility needs, including garments designed for hospital environments or to allow easy access to medical equipment.
Students are currently in the production stage, applying advanced construction techniques to realise their designs. Many have shown outstanding dedication, with some many attending an extra five-hour session in the school holidays to refine their work. Their passion and perseverance are truly inspiring.
Alongside manufacturing, students are also documenting their design process through detailed journals and photographs, capturing each stage of their creative journey. The outcomes promise to be both innovative and deeply meaningful, reflecting the power of design to improve lives and promote inclusivity.
