GCSE TEXTILES 2014
The Written Exam – 2 sections
Section A
This asks you to design a textile product. The exam board will
give some information on the theme and design context.
Approximately 25% of the paper marks are for Section A.
Section B
These questions will be based on the subject content listed in
your revision booklets. It will test your subject knowledge and
understanding and is worth about 75% of the paper marks.
GCSE TEXTILES 2014
Exam Preparation Sheet
• This gives you a focus for your revision, but does not
include everything you need to revise.
• Analysing the exam preparation sheet is an
important starting point for your revision.
• It contains the inspirational theme and the design
context for Section A.
This year they are:
Theme:
Fairground
Design Context:
Products for teenagers
T shirts/hoodies
?????
Case for
iPad,
Notebook,
Laptop.
???
Bedding
Bags
?????
Possible textile products
Hat,
scarf,
gloves
Cushions
Coat/jacket
When deciding on your
product remember…
You may well be asked to write
a design specification for it so
think of a TARGET MARKET a
specific PURPOSE OR
FUNCTION
Price: this might depend on
where your product is to be sold
– exclusive boutique or
supermarket?
Environmental
issues:
Design Specification:
…criteria that your design
needs to meet...how could
you meet these criteria?
Visual appeal,
colour, wow factor.
Care:
Decorative
techniques.
Be original with
these . . . .
Fibre Content
Is it …
Fabric Construction
Is it …
Woven?
Plain weave
Twill weave
Satin weave
...could be a PILE WEAVE
Knitted?
Bonded?
Natural? –
Cotton
Wool
Silk
Linen
FABRICS
Synthetic?Acrylic
Polyester
Nylon
Elastane
Some suggested fabrics:
•Polyester Fleece
•Twill weave polycotton
•Polyester jersey
•Polyester satin
•Acrylic fake/faux fur fabric
•Tactel microfibre
•Denim
Look at labels on existing products for more ideas...
Regenerated?
Viscose
Or it could be a blend of
fibres – E.g. Polycotton
Include parts that can
be removed and
replaced with Velcro
or poppers – shape
matching etc?
Incorporate
electronics that use a
hidden battery power
source to activate,
e.g. Sounds, lights or
movement device
Include SMART fabrics
that react to heat or
light. E.g. Change
colour with heat
Make the product multifunctional, reversible,
original.
Adding
interest
Include alphabets
letters/ words/
numbers/ foreign
language
Include different
textured fabrics.
Feature linings?
..Please, DO
NOT forget
components!
To add interest and decoration e.g.
Functional e.g.
• Zips
• Buttons
• Eyelets
• Velcro
• Hooks & eyes
• Poppers (press studs)
• Glow in the dark, reflective
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sequins and beads
Trimmings/braids
Embroidery thread
Ribbon
Piping
Tassels
LEDs
Fabric paints
Visit a local store and have a good look a the wide
range of textiles components available.
And Decorative Techniques!!
CAD Machine
Embroidery
Printing
Appliqué
Free Machine Embroidery
Patchwork
Quilting
Section A is usually worth about 25% of the marks but this is
the part that you can almost guarantee good marks for if you
prepare well!
Start your design work NOW! Do more research if you wish,
think of a few ideas and start sketching; LABELLING AND
THINKING as you go!
Show your prepared ideas to me and we can discuss how to
develop them to increase your chances of high marks in this
section.....
Remember, examiners will be seeing about 350 papers, one
after the other so make yours stand out with a good idea!
Something different will always do well (as long as you stick
to the design brief )
Good luck
from
Mrs Sherriff and
Mrs Stringer