Equipment and tools
 Lots of specialist tools and equipment are used to make
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textiles products. They have special features that allow you
to carryout a task correctly and effectively.
Tools and equipment can be divided into the following
areas
Colour and design
Pressing
Sewing and joining
Advanced
Components-items that become part of the final product.
Colour and Design Equipment
 Batik pots are pots that melt wax
for Batik. Tools called tjantings
are used to draw with the hot
wax on to the fabric.
 Screen printing is used to put
patterns on fabric. A screen with
a special mesh is placed over the
fabric. A tool called a squeegee is
then used to push the colour
through the holes in the mesh
onto the fabric.
 Fabric pens and crayons can be
used to draw on fabric and then
the design is ironed on the
reverse to set the design.
 The fabric can then be washed at
40C.
Pressing equipment
 Irons are used for
pressing garments and
also for finishing them
such as creating creases.
 A heat press is a machine
that can transfer printed
designs from specialist
paper onto fabrics. It can
also be used to pleat
fabrics and create special
effects.
Sewing Machines
There are different types of sewing machines that are suited to
different tasks.
 A standard sewing
machine is used to join
fabrics and do simple
embroidery. It has
limited functions.
 An embroidery machine
is similar to a standard
machine but with extra
features. It can create
lots of decorative
stitches.
Sewing Machines
 A computerised sewing
machine is an advanced
sewing machine with many
features. It is controlled by a
computer interface and can
produce designs that are
digitised and sent to the
machine by a computer.
 An overlocker is a specialised
sewing machine used for
joining and finishing fabrics.
It gives seams and hems a
professional finish. It can also
be used for adding decorative
edges to fabrics.
Knitting machines
 Knitting machines can create
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garments and textiles
products that are patterned
or textured. They can be
linked to a computer to speed
up manufacture.
There are different types of
weaving looms that are used
to produce fabrics
Hand looms
Ground looms
Backstrap looms
Frame looms
Non machine based equipment
Dress makers mannequins are
used to obtain the correct size
and fit for a garment. They
can be adjusted to different
measurements.
 Scissors come in many shapes
and sizes. They each have a
different purpose such as
pattern cutting and pinking.
 Pinking shears have serrated
edges for finishing off the
edges of fabric to prevent
fraying and to produce
decorative edges.
Non machine based equipment
 Tape measures are used for
measuring people, fabrics,
garments and patterns.
They can be curved easily
making them suitable for
textiles.
 Embroidery frames are
used to hold fabrics in
place. They can be used for
hand and machine
embroidery.