6050 Fashion and Fabrics June 2004
CONTENTS
FOREWORD ....................................................................................................................... 1
FASHION AND FABRICS................................................................................................... 2
GCE Ordinary Level ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Paper 6050/01 Written .................................................................................................................................. 2
Paper 6050/02 Practical ................................................................................................................................ 3
Paper 6050/04 Paper 4 ................................................................................................................................. 5
FOREWORD
This booklet contains reports written by Examiners on the work of candidates in certain papers. Its contents
are primarily for the information of the subject teachers concerned.
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6050 Fashion and Fabrics June 2004
FASHION AND FABRICS
GCE Ordinary Level
Paper 6050/01
Written
General comments
Administration
A number of candidates did not write the numbers of questions in Section B in the grid on the front page and
a number of candidates did not clearly write the question number in the margin at the start of the question,
leaving the Examiner to guess which question they were answering.
All candidates attempted Section A and three questions in Section B so they must have had sufficient time
to complete the paper. Some questions were poorly attempted and as in previous years the name of a fibre
was given when a name of a fabric was required, e.g. Section A Question 1 (b).
Some candidates did not gain marks due to the brevity of their answers, e.g. where 6 marks are given six
points were required.
Comments on specific questions
Section A
Question 1
(a)
Not answered as well as previous years, particularly due to candidates not giving at least two
points in their answer. Parts B, C, D, F, G and K were poorly answered.
(b)
Most candidates did not know what pique was.
(c)
Most candidates could not describe how denim got its colour.
(d)
Some candidates did not answer the question but merely restated the information given.
(f)
Some candidates did not answer the question which asked for body measurements but merely
gave any measurement.
(g)
Some candidates did not accurately draw the lengthening and shortening lines and drew the
shortening lines between the waist and hips.
(h)
Some candidates did not label nor draw correctly the correct answer. Some candidates gave “fold
and dart” as answers where neither of these were on the pieces. It was noted that a number of
candidates wrote an incorrect term “bottom finish” instead of hem.
(i)
This question was poorly answered as very few candidates were able to appreciate the
practicalities of a skirt seam made from denim. A French seam was often stated but not suitable.
(j)
A well answered question apart from where candidates mixed up width and length, or inches and
metres, or did not state the unit of measurement, e.g. a zip 18… whereas the correct answer is
18 cms.
(l)
Some candidates mixed up the selvedge and straight grain line, or labelled the cut edge as the
selvedge. In (ii), pieces 4 – 6 were not known.
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6050 Fashion and Fabrics June 2004
Section B
Question 2
(a)
Flax was well known but polyester was often thought to be a regenerated fibre made from cellulose
or cotton.
(c)
This was in most cases disappointing as candidates appeared to understand plain weave but most
had difficulties drawing and explaining it clearly. Most candidates were unable to explain weft
knitting.
Question 3
In some cases where candidates answered this question, neat and careful drawings were made for (a)(i), but
some candidates did not refer to the insert and did not describe inserting a zip into a skirt but instead they
drew a zip in a square of material.
Question 4
Overall this question was poorly done. There was confusion with facings and bound openings and fibres
were named instead of fabrics. There were 6 marks for (c), but there was not much information or detail in a
number of candidates answers.
Question 5
A popular question which saw some good diagrams of bias and true cross. The poorest responses were for
parts (c) and (d).
Question 6
The most popular question of the paper with candidates scoring good marks. The only difficulty some
candidates found was in part (c). Some candidates said an accessory was a top/blouse. The correct
answers were bag, belt and scarf.
Question 7
This question was poorly answered as some candidates did not refer to view E or did not answer how to
stitch the decorative border.
Paper 6050/02
Practical
General comments
The paper this year compared equally with those of previous years. The practical test was within the
standard expected of candidates at this level. The processes involved were straight forward, which the
candidates should be able to achieve in the making of a simple garment. Most candidates were able to
complete the right half of a dress bodice.
Comments on specific processes
The candidates were required to cut out and make up the right half of a bodice, this included making and
attaching a patch pocket, a front and neck facing and making and attaching an armhole facing. It was a
straight forward test using processes which were familiar to the candidate. The majority understood the
instructions and the pattern. Once again this year the candidates tended to loose marks for inaccuracy –
often the patch pocket was not the correct size or placed in the right position. Many did not follow the
instructions very carefully when making and attaching the armhole facing. Candidates must learn to use the
1.5 cm seam allowance accurately.
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6050 Fashion and Fabrics June 2004
Choice of fabric and interfacing
Generally fabrics were most satisfactory.
Cutting out
Marks were awarded for placing the pattern on the fabric accurately and for using the scissors carefully. The
candidates showed that they had followed the instructions by placing the pattern pieces on the straight grain
of the fabric. However, several candidates did not follow the instructions to place the armhole facing on the
cross of the fabric and so lost marks. The majority of the candidates made up the right hand side of the
bodice.
Patch pocket
The majority of pockets were not the right size and only a few were the correct shape and attached in the
correct position. The pocket turnings were not well trimmed, but generally it was attached by two rows of
machine stitching 6 mm apart – not always accurate machine stitching and only in the better test did the
candidate lengthen the stitch. There were few pockets with the correct facing width and the top-stitching was
not 2.5 cm from the top as indicated in the instructions. Despite being instructed to fasten off the ends of
machine stitching by hand, there were a number of knots and loose ends.
Shoulder seam
Very few candidates made a neat edge stitched seam. The majority did not attempt to neaten the edges and
pinking shears were also used – marks were lost unnecessarily. Seams were not always pressed open and
flat into the neck or armhole facings.
Facing
Very few candidates neatened the unnotched edge of the facing. The length of the facing along the front fold
was generally accurate, but the width at the lower edge was often not within the limits permitted – the correct
seam allowance having not been used. Very few candidates attached the facing to the shoulder seam on
the wrong side.
Attaching the facing
In the majority of tests the facing was attached but did not always have a good point to the corner and the
seam worked onto the edge. Although in most tests the seam was trimmed, the neck curve was not clipped
and therefore did not lie flat.
Side seam
In most tests the open seam was not edge stitched but generally pressed open with the edges together at
the lower edge.
Armhole facing
Many candidates did not follow the instructions carefully when making up the facing and lost marks for
inaccuracy. As candidates did not fold the facing in half lengthwise, the majority had difficulty in getting the
facing to lie flat as it was too wide and the turnings were not trimmed and clipped. There were very few tests
with neat hand stitching.
Presentation
The presentation of the bodices was poor this year, as candidates had not always sewn the labels on single
fabric by hand (some were only pinned on). Unfortunately there were still some tests which were spoiled by
not removing the tailor tacks and unnecessary tackings and in some cases marks left by tracing wheels on
the right side and also writing on the fabric. Marks are given for clean well pressed and neatly folded work.
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6050 Fashion and Fabrics June 2004
Paper 6050/04
Paper 4
General comments
The standard of work was usually appropriate for this level.
Centres should ensure that all garments and folders are labelled with the candidates’ name and number. A
number of Centres sent candidates work in a large labelled envelope, but omitted to label each individual
garment and folder. Work should be labelled clearly in the same way as practical test pieces. The
coursework presented was appropriate to the syllabus, except for the folders which were less good, and their
contents did not always follow the guidelines in the syllabus.
Folders
The syllabus stated that the folder should be related to one of the garments presented. There was a
description of the garment in some cases only, and there was rarely an illustration. The syllabus states that
either one or the other should be included in the folder. Sketches of front and back view of the chosen
garment could be included, showing well-labelled features such as position of seams and fastenings.
Reasons for choice were usually given but not all reasons were stated. The syllabus clearly states which
reasons for choice should be included. The list of requirements was usually rather brief, and although length
of fabric was usually given, the width of fabric is also relevant and was rarely given. Costing and plan of
work were usually in line with the requirements of the syllabus. Some Centres sent large folders containing
samples of various processes which had been carried out by candidates during their course. This is not
specified as being part of the coursework, and no marks can be awarded for this work. It would be more
appropriate to present only the work relating to one of the garments, as listed in detail in the syllabus.
Garments
The garments presented were appropriate and popular choices included a top, and child’s garment, or skirt
and child’s garment. A variety of processes was usually shown although in some cases the same processes
were shown on both garments. For example, hooks and eyes were shown on both garments, where it would
have been more appropriate to show a different fastening on each garment, such as hooks and eyes on one
garment, and a button and buttonhole on the other. Some of the work has un-neatened seams, and tacking
was often left in the garment. A few garments were not pressed. The decorative work presented was
usually appropriate.
Fabrics chosen were usually appropriate.
In most cases the examination administration was appropriately completed, and the teachers’ marking was
generally in line with the mark scheme.
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