'Textiles' in years 7, 8 and 9 gives you a good foundation of knowledge relating to how garments are put together and what  materials are best used to make them. Soft toys are popular with young children but what shapes are possible and what might be a popular toy if it were to go into production and be made by a toy manufacturer. You should end each project with a completed item and a design folio.

How can different fabrics be made to have waterproof qualities and yet still allow you to keep cool.  Textile technology draws on knowledge of new materials as well as science.  The classic example of a complicated arrangement of materials designed to perform a special purpose would be the construction of a spacesuit.  If a spacesuit were to have price tag placed on it then it would have to be several million dollars.

A spacesuit has to be airtight, flexible and still strong enough to prevent tiny particles in space, travelling faster than a bullet, from piercing it and allowing the air to escape. Obviously a great deal of research goes into such suits.

Whilst you won't make pace suits in your textiles course you will learn about materials and their use in fashion, furnishings and the context of
interior design.

Click here for Web check on Specialist Plastic WOVEN MATERIALS

Corporate identity is a feature of many modern organisations and the image presented to the world can be in the hands of  fashion and textile designers.  An image that lacks the 'right look' can do harm to the company and a great deal of time and expense can go into getting everything right.  As much as a distinctive style, the understanding and subsequent choice of colours can contribute a lot to success. 

All the GCSE options in Design and Technology will benefit from good presentation skills. It is always important to develop the skills that allow for clear communication in the early years of studying Design & technology.  The use of colour, space and interesting text also has a significant place in the presentation of coursework and you should try to make all work look attractive 'by the page'.  Look at the Graphic Products section of these pages and also use the knowledge and skills you have already gained in other subjects such as Art.

For a reminder about print processes and colour theory check the page marked
COLOUR

WEB SITES   |   RESISTANT MATERIALS   |   GRAPHIC PRODUCTS   |   
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION   | TEXTILES   |   FOOD  |   KEY STAGE 3   |  Spacesuits - more
PROJECT & COURSEWORK HELP  |  FABRIC education Website  l 

Photos & artwork Illustrations taken from Recommended book :   "Design & Make It - Textiles Technology" 
McArthur, Etchells & Shephard  ISBN 0-7487-2471-0   

WEB SITES   |   RESISTANT MATERIALS   |    DIMENSIONING       |  COPPER  l CNC Machining & Forging
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION   | TEXTILES   |   FOOD  |   KEY STAGE 3   |   ALUMINIUM  l 
I   Advantages of Aluminium    l   STEEL Tonnages  l
I Industrial Products SYLLABUS  l  PROJECT & COURSEWORK HELP  l  MILLING & CUTTING l
STEEL PRODUCTION AQA Double award ENGINEERING syllabus
UK- Steel  l Paper Sizes and Weights

Y7 Y8 Y9