Sarine Mohanraja
HSC Questions
1.
a. How have the design features of a traditional textile item from a culture you have
studied been adapted for the production of contemporary textile items? (5 marks)
From Japanese culture, kimonos have inspired current designers, evident in the popular
styles of wrap around garments. The kimono’s wide sleeves are an element of Japanese
culture which has inspired current designers, and this is seen in the rising popularity of tops
and dresses with wide sleeves. Similarly, designers have incorporated Japanese motifs such
as cherry blossoms and nature in contemporary textiles items including garments such as
jackets and also quilts and cushions.
b. Analyse the impact of technological developments and religious practices on
textile design and production in a culture you have studied. (10 marks)
Technological developments have influences Japanese textile design and production. During
early Japanese textiles production, it was common for decoration techniques including
embroidery and Sashiko to be done by hand. Similarly, fabrics were woven by hand using
hemp, ramie or silk, however silk was expensive and manufacturing was time consuming,
making hemp and ramie a more desirable fibre. However, after the development of fabric
decoration machinery and synthetic fibres such as polyester, fabrics were able to be
produced at a faster rate and at a cheaper price for consumers and decoration techniques
were able to be done in a shorter amount of time. Religious practices also had an impact on
Japanese textiles design, and this is evident in the derivation of common Japanese motifs
from the Shinto religion. As nature was highly worshiped in the Shinto religion, symbols of
bamboo and cherry blossoms were prominent on Japanese clothing such as the kimono and
were incorporated through various decoration techniques including embroidery and
Sashiko.
2.
a. What is embroidery? (2 marks)
It is a fabric decoration technique using a needle and thread/ yarn done by machine or
hand.
b. Outline how a textile art form from a culture you have studied could be incorporated
decoratively into a contemporary textile item. You may include a simple labelled sketch
in your answer. (3 marks)
The Japanese kimono can be incorporated into a contemporary textile item, such as a
wraparound dress, which contains wide sleeves and held together around the midriff with a
contemporary white fabric belt with Sashiko inspired embroidery. The fabric of the dress
could be dyed using shibori, with the designs created by the dye helping viewers notice the
Japanese inspirations of the dress.