Textures / Features
Textiles GCSE Revision Checklist
I know what I am going to design for my two initial ideas in the exam, I have practiced drawing them twice, and I know what to write on the labels.I know what my final design is going to be, I have practiced drawing it twice, I know what to write on the labels, and I know what colours I’m going to use.
I can describe a specific fashion bag I have researched. I know which company made it, what fabrics it is made from, how the decoration has been added, and what I will use from it in my own design.
I can explain which parts of my design use sustainable materials/ components, and how they are sustainable (e.g. recycled/ recyclable/ locally sourced/ organic/ natural)
I can describe and illustrate the process (in 5 or 6 steps) for adding decoration with either appliqué or screen print.
I know the meanings for all the fabric care label symbols.
I know the meanings for the safety symbols (e.g. CE mark, BSI kite mark, Lion mark, Keep away from fire etc.)
I can plan a basic (5 or 6 step) production order for manufacturing a product.
I know what quality control is, and I can give a suitable quality control point for each stage in the manufacture of a product.
I know the advantages and disadvantages of making a product on a production line compared with single skilled workers.
I know how to tell the difference between knitted, woven, and bonded fabrics. I can describe the properties of each fabric.
I can tell the difference between plain and twill weave. I can describe why designers choose to use each one.
I can describe four properties of each of these fabrics: fleece, cotton sheet, felt, denim, polyester, and satin.
I know the properties of polyester and cotton blended together.
I know the meanings for sustainable, biodegradable, recycled, and re-used. I can give textiles based examples for each.
I know at least four social/ ethical considerations in the manufacture of textiles products. (foundation tier only need to know two)
I can define the term ‘smart fabric.’
I know the proper name of at least one smart fabric and I can describe what it does.
I know the names of at least 3 different types of textiles components, and can evaluate their use in fashion bags.
I know the names and uses/ advantages/ disadvantages of closed, open, and overlocked seams. (higher tier should also know run and fell seams)
I can describe 3 different fabric construction/ manipulation techniques and I know where they might be used in textile products.
I know what sub-assembly means, and I can identify parts of a product that could have been sub-assembled.
You can download past papers by typing: ‘aqa gcse textiles past papers’ in to google and selecting the top page on the list, scroll down the page and select the paper you want (higher or foundation tier) and you need the paper for the full course. The answers are there too (markschemes). If you can’t find the page you want, the exact web address is:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/des_tec_tt_assess.php (n.b. this might not actually work anymore, but still worth checking!!)
GO ON BBC BITESIZE – ITS GOOD!!
Revision Notes:
NB: Cotton is the name of a FIBRE, not a FABRIC. If you want to describe a fabric as cotton sheet (like the white stuff we often use in school) then you need to write WOVEN COTTON SHEET.
1. Name three other fibres:
a.
b.
c.
2. Name three ways a fabric can be made:
a.
b.
c.
3. Describe three properties of each of the fabric types you have listed above:
a.
b.
c.
4. Explain the meanings of the following care label symbols:
Two meanings for a – d, three meanings for e and f.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
5. State which of these images is plain and which is twill weave:
a. b.
c. A plain weave is good for ……………………………….. Because: (give three reasons)
d. A twill weave is good for ………………………………….Because: (give three reasons)
6. Describe four properties of each of the following fabrics:
a. fleece
b. cotton sheet
c. felt
d. polyester
e. denim
f. satin
7. Explain why manufacturers often mix polyester and cotton together (what properties will they be expecting to achieve by blending the two?)
8. Describe four different social/ ethical considerations in the manufacture of textile items: For each one say what the issue is, and describe how it affects designers/ consumers decisions.
a.
b.
c.
d.
9. Define the term ‘smart fabric.’
10. a. Name a smart fabric.
b. Describe what the smart fabric does.
c. Explain a possible use for this smart fabric (describe an item it might be used in and what function it might perform)
11. Name 3 different textile components:
a.
b.
c.
12. Evaluate the use of zips versus the use of Velcro in a fashion bag (explain the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Higher level answer will include advantages and disadvantages in relation to sustainability issues)
13. Name the following seam types:
a. b. c.
d. e.
14. Name a textiles item on which you might find each of the following seam types. Then list the advantages and disadvantages of each:
a. Closed with zig zag finish:
b. Open with zig zag finish:
c. Overlocked:
d. Run and fell:
15. List three different fabric construction/ manipulation techniques:
a.
b.
c.
16. Describe where you might find each of the techniques you have listed on a textiles product:
a.
b.
c.
17. a. Explain the term ‘sub-assembly’:
b. Identify 3 parts of this product that could be sub assembled:
FASTENINGS/ COMPONENTS
Fastening/component / Image / Positives / Negatives / Example Uses
Velcro
Button
Zip
Snap
Fastener/
popper
Hook and
eye
Example uses: Pencil case, back of dress, top of zip on dress, baby-grow, shirt or coat front, corset,
flap on bag, flies on trousers, straps on child’s shoes. (some can be used more than
once)
Positives/ negatives: consider strength, easiness to do up/ undo, ease of attaching to item (i.e. Velcro
might be easier to fix in than making button holes or attaching a zip), safety issues (trapping fingers/ choking hazards).
SEAMS
Diagram / Name of Seam / Positive / Negative / Example UsesNames: Overlocked seam, Run and Fell seam, open seam with zig-zag finish, closed seam with
zig-zag finish, open seam with hemmed edge.
Example uses: Children’s clothing, underwear, dress, shirt, tent, side of jeans, t-shirt, heavy
material (coat?), lightweight material (shorts?), clothing that may be seen from both sides, clothing that will only be seen from one side, inside of fleece jumpers.
Positives/ negatives: consider neatness, strength, easiness to do, ability to get around corners, unique
features – see list below.
Unique features: positives and negatives:
Waterproof when used with a waterproof fabric.
Cuts off edge of fabric so you only get one chance, cant make a mistake.
Can’t turn sharp corners.
Spreads the weight/ bulk of the fabric so you don’t end up with a lump on the seam.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Issue / Definition / Positive / Negative / ExamplesSustainable
Locally
Sourced
Biodegr-
adable
Organic
Recycled
Recyclable
Re-used
Fair trade
Ways of remembering stuff/ stuff to remember:
Appliqué: DICPIS (yes it sounds rude, but it works)
Draw - shape on to smooth side of bondaweb
Iron - bondaweb on to appliqué fabric, rough side down.
Cut - shape out of fabric appliqué fabric.
Peel - backing paper off.
Iron - appliqué on to background fabric.
Stitch - around edge of appliqué.
Screen print: Can’t think of a good acronym for this one, you’ll just have to remember it…
Cut stencil with scalpel
Place stencil on fabric, and screen over top
Line up printing ink at top of stencil, about 1 cm thick (or wider for a bigger print)
Spread ink over screen with a squeegee, repeat until all stencil is covered (check it has turned darker)
Remove screen and hang fabric up to dry
Weaving:
Parts of a weave:
Warp – like warp drive, up like a rocket.
Weft – rhymes with left.
Selvedge – has the word ‘edge’ in it.
Write here what the care label above says:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
SYMBOLS and LOGOS
Logo / Name / MeaningNames: Cotton logo.
Wool blend.
Flammable.
CE mark.
Lion Mark.
Wool mark.
British Standards Institute
Meanings: Keep item away from fire.
Toy and hobby association symbol of toy safety for the consumer.
Item is made from 100% cotton.
Item is made from wool blended with other fibres such as cotton and silk.
EU safety symbol, required by law to appear on all toys sold within the EU.
Item is made from 100% wool.
Item has passed British safety checks/ regulations.
MANUFACTURE SYSTEMS
Single Worker / Production LineDefinition
Benefits to the employer
Benefits to the employee
Disadvantages to the employer
Disadvantages to the employee
Consider: speed of manufacture, quality of made item, worker morale (enthusiasm/ boredom), cost of
manufacture, potential hold-ups (worker off sick/ parts not available).