UNIVERSITY OF KENT – CODE OF PRACTICE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE
MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
1
The title of the module
Fibres and Fabrics
2
The Department which will be responsible for management of the module
Faculty of Humanities
3
The Start Date of the Module
October 2005
4
The number of students expected to take the module
All students enrolled on the course
5
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with
other relevant Departments and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
none
6
The level of the module (eg Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or Postgraduate [M])
Level C
7
20
The number of credits which the module represents
8
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn term
9
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
none
10 The programmes of study to which the module contributes
Foundation Degree Fashion and Textiles
11
The intended subject specific learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to
programme learning outcomes
Subject Specific Learning Outcomes
Programme Learning Outcomes
To equip learners with:
1. work specific skills relevant to the
1. Analyse and interpret the
fashion and textiles industry.
main properties of both
natural and man-made
2. a grounding in the theories and
fibres and sheet materials.
principles involved in product design
and development in the fashion and
textiles industry.
2. Record the suitability of different fabrics for
different purposes.
3. an ability to apply underlying concepts
and principles outside the context in
3. Develop a professionally presented
which they were first studied and apply
collection of different fibres and fabrics along
those principles within a work context.
with appropriate records.
4. knowledge of the main methods of
enquiry in fashion/textile technology or
4. describe different systems of fabric
design, the ability to evaluate critically
manufacture and explain how these affect
the appropriateness of different
UNIVERSITY OF KENT – CODE OF PRACTICE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE
fabric properties and characteristics.
5. understand how simple testing methods
can be used to asses textile performance in
textile and garment production
5.
6. understand fibre and fabric sourcing,
costing and standards in the global market.
7. make connections between fibre and fabric
properties, processing methods, garment
construction and cost.
8. undertake thorough research into the
international trade of fibres and fabrics,
sourcing abroad and importing.
12
6.
7.
approaches to solving problems in
fashion/textile technology or design and
apply these in a work context.
ability to use a range of established
techniques to initiate and undertake
critical analysis of information and to
propose solutions to problems arising
from that analysis in the study of fashion
and textiles and in a work context.
ability to effectively communicate
information, arguments and analysis, in
a variety of forms, to specialist and nonspecialist audiences and to deploy key
techniques of the discipline effectively in
their field of study and in a work context.
qualities and transferable skills
necessary for employment and
progression to other qualifications
requiring the exercise of personal
responsibility and decision making.
The intended generic learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to
programme learning outcomes
Generic Learning Outcomes.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Students will also develop the following skills:
To equip learners with:
1. Ability to work as part of a team to solve
work specific skills relevant to the fashion
complex and/or unpredictable situations
and textiles industry.
in fashion and textiles contexts, with a
a grounding in the theories and principles
responsiveness to change and an ability
involved in product design and
to multitask.
development in the fashion and textiles
2. communication skills and research and
industry.
investigative skills
an ability to apply underlying concepts and
3. numeracy skills
principles outside the context in which
they were first studied and apply those
4. problem solving skills and the
principles within a work context.
application of complex theories to
practical realistic work situations in the
knowledge of the main methods of enquiry
fashion and textiles industry.
in fashion/textile technology or design,
the ability to evaluate critically the
5. research skills in relation to business, along
appropriateness of different approaches
with project planning and management.
to solving problems in fashion/textile
6. a knowledge of international trade,
technology or design and apply these in
sourcing abroad and importing,
a work context.
exporting.
ability to use a range of established
techniques to initiate and undertake
critical analysis of information and to
propose solutions to problems arising
from that analysis in the study of fashion
and textiles and in a work context.
ability to effectively communicate
information, arguments and analysis, in
a variety of forms, to specialist and nonspecialist audiences and to deploy key
techniques of the discipline effectively in
their field of study and in a work context.
qualities and transferable skills necessary
for employment and progression to other
qualifications requiring the exercise of
UNIVERSITY OF KENT – CODE OF PRACTICE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE
personal responsibility and decision
making.
A synopsis of the curriculum
In this unit students will research, record and analyse the properties and characteristics of
fibres and fabrics and their suitability for different uses. Students should also develop a visual
and tactile understanding of textile raw materials and fabrics. Students will build up a personal
collection of different fibres and fabrics and keep records on each. A visit to a textile testing
department will enable students to evaluate performance characteristics of fibres and fabrics
in relation to production costs.
A summary of the content of this unit:
Fabric & fibre visual properties such as colour, cross section, luster, also practical properties such
as fibre diameter, fibre length, bulk/crimp, softness (handle), absorption,
strength, heat resistance, insulation, ability to absorb dye, elasticity, resistance to damage by light
and chemicals, flammability.
Economic properties of fabrics and fibres such as cost, environmental sustainability, pollution,
waste disposal.
Natural fibres include wool, cotton, linen, silk, mohair, specialty hairs (eg mohair)
Man-made fibres including regenerated cellulosics, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes,
polypropylenes, acrylics, elastomerics
Naturally occurring sheet material such skins and furs and also man-made sheet material such as
rubbers, plastics, paper.
Students will also study fabric manufacture looking at:
Systems such as weaving, knitting, non-woven, lace, trims, braids, ribbons, threads, in small
quantity,in bulk
Fabric properties: weight, structure, appearance, drape, strength, elasticity, stability,
aesthetic appeal
Characteristics: visual appearance, eg loop structure, warp and weft; tactile character, eg
fibre content, spinning system, finishing treatment
There will be a visit to a textile testing department looking at fibre identification, abrasion, pilling,
seam slippage, dye fastness, colour matching, tear strength, durability, washability, colour
fastness, appearance retention, comfort
Cost is a large part of this unit and is particularly important for employers. This includes:
Raw material costs: availability, transport, trade agreements, minimum order sizes, lead
times
Processing methods: machinery/equipment used for flow production, large/small-batch
production, one-off production
Processing costs: rates, power, labour, transport, warehousing, machine capability,
production run, piece lengths, processing shrinkage, waste
Garment construction: fabric waste, complexity of construction, seam type, fastenings,
stiffenings, trimmings
Costing methods: direct, indirect, apportioned
Costing will also include looking at international trade, sourcing abroad and importing and
the costs involved in that.
Students need to achieve the work based learning elements of this module in order to be
awarded the full 20 module credits
Indicative Reading List
Braddock, S.E & O’Mahoney, M: Sportstech, Revolutionary Fabrics Fashion & Design
(Thames & Hudson 2002)
Braddock, S.E & O’Mahoney, M: Techno Textiles (Thames and Hudson)
Newton A: Fabric Manufacture, A Handbook. (ITDG Publishing 1993)
Fourne F: Synthetic Fibres Machine and Equipment (Hanser Publishers)
Fibres to Finished Fabrics (Textile Instititue 1999)
Betzina S: Fabric Savvy, The essential guide for every sewer. (Taunton Press 2002)
Emery I : The primary structures of fabric, illustrated. (Whitney library of design 1995)
M Joseph: Essentials of Textiles (Thomson Learning 1984)
Morton W.E & Hearle J.W.S The Physical properties of Textile fibres. (The Textile Institute
UNIVERSITY OF KENT – CODE OF PRACTICE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE
1986)
Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the total
study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of the
intended learning outcomes
Students have 360 contact hours a year delivered 2 days a week 6 hours a day. Students are
expected to do at least a further 12 hours a week learner initiated private study. Each module will
have the same coverage and amounts to 60 GLH per module.
Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended learning
outcomes
Assessment Criteria for Pass
Assessment
Learning
Student Output and %
Methods
Outcomes
Textile
file
1, 3
1. identify and record
Textile file/report and sample
specific information about
collection including notes on
the properties of a variety
manufacture and testing.
of textiles
(50%)
2. analyse and record the
Textile file
2
positive and negative
Business report (WBP
characteristics of the
element) including research
major fibre types
into a fibre. (50%)
Textile report
4
3. summarise the main
methods of fabric
manufacture and analyse
the main similarities and
differences between them
Textile report
4
4. describe how different
methods of manufacture
affect the properties of the
fabric
5. research, record and
Report following
5
interpret testing methods. visit to LCF
6. recognize and apply
Report following
6, 5
measures for process,
visit to LCF
quality and performance
control
7. identify and record costing Business report in 6, 7
conjunction with
methods used by
WBP
businesses
1, 4, 7
8. analyse and evaluate the
connections between
properties, processes,
Business report
construction and cost.
9. investigate the
8
Business report
international trade for a
particular fibre, including
sourcing abroad and
importing.
Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
Students have access to adequate space, access to resources such as textile printing equipment
and fashion construction equipment as well as access to staff teaching fashion and textiles as well
as staff teaching on other fine art courses, a well stocked library, access to IT, a shop selling a
wide variety of art and design materials at a very reasonable cost. Also organised trip to the LCF
textile testing department. This unit can also be done on work placement.
UNIVERSITY OF KENT – CODE OF PRACTICE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE
A statement confirming that, as far as can be reasonably anticipated, the curriculum, learning and
teaching methods and forms of assessment do not present any non-justifiable disadvantage
to students with disabilities
The curriculum and the learning and teaching methods plus the forms of assessment are flexible
to the needs of individual students and as far as possible do not present any disadvantage to
students with disabilities.
Statement by the Director of Learning and Teaching: "I confirm I have been consulted on the
above module proposal and have given advice on the correct procedures and required content of
module proposals"
................................................................
Director of Learning and Teaching
..............................................
Date
Statement by the Head of Department: "I confirm that the Department has approved the
introduction of the module and will be responsible for its resourcing"
.................................................................
Head of Department
Revised August 2002; Revision 2 in 2003.
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Date