Elective 2: Textiles, Fashion and Design To revise: ● contemporary clothing and fashion ● textile science ● design evaluation and garment construction ● clothing and textile industries. Allocation of marks/assessment for both Higher and Ordinary Levels: Element Marks Practical coursework 10% Written coursework 10% Each year a Textile, Fashion and Design Assignment Brief (common level) is sent to schools for the practical coursework. Students are required to: ● investigate the assignment and its theme following the design process ● create sketches/illustrations of an outfit based on the theme ● cut out and construct one garment from the outfit designed ● present a Design Folder with details of their analysis, research, implementation and evaluation. The Design Folder contains information on: ● the analysis of the assignment ● research into the theme of the assignment ● implementation (making one garment from the outfit and including prescribed processes) ● evaluation. Suggestions for the design folder Remember to: ● analyse and explore the theme ● include a plan of action to be followed ● describe the outfit/garment fully ● use quality illustrations (photographs, etc.) ● label all diagrams/sketches and construction processes 2 LESS STRESS MORE SUCCESS ● reference all sources of information (books, Internet, etc.) ● describe the mandatory processes and all aspects of the construction processes accurately ● evaluate the garment in relation to the theme given in the assignment. Making/constructing the garment Remember to: ● include mandatory processes ● finish off all threads correctly ● keep the garment clean ● check the tension and stitch size on the sewing machine before sewing garment pieces together ● press at all stages of construction and before presenting the garment. Other key points: 1. Stick to the Assignment Brief. 2. Include all the mandatory processes asked for. 3. Implement the mandatory processes correctly. 4. Do your own individual research and record it properly. 5. Make the design your own, be creative (do not copy), introduce variety and individuality, do not work collaboratively. 6. Choose a fabric that is easy to work with and will suit the mandatory processes. Note: the Design Folder and completed garment are assessed by an examiner appointed by the State Examinations Commission. Integration of topics in Elective 2 questions In the written paper for Elective 2 you must answer Questions 2(a) and either 2(b) or 2(c). Exam questions show the integration of topics. You must learn all sections of the elective. Do not omit any section when revising. Here are the topics asked in past exams. Higher Compulsory level question 2(a) Question 2(b) Question 2(c) 2010 ● Outdoor festival clothing ● Fabric profile: ● Clothing industry (account, sketch, blended fabric ● Career description, fabrics and opportunities finishes) 2009 ● Social, economic and ● Elements of design ● Construction of industrial influences on knitted fabric clothing ● Fabric finishes ● Influences on ready- to-wear fashion TEXTILES, FASHION AND DESIGN 3 2008 ● Designing an office ● Regenerated and ● Modifying uniform/suit synthetic fibres patterns ● Fabric performance test ● Blended fabric ● Filament modification 2007 ● Unisex tracksuit (evaluate) ● Fabric profile: wool ● An Irish designer ● Fabric construction or linen ● Irish textile technique industry 2006 ● School graduation outfit ● Trends in men’s ● Colour application ● Fabric profile fashion ● Accessories (manufactured fibres) 2005 ● A winter jacket ● Knitted fabrics ● Clothing industry ● Career opportunities 2004 ● Outfit for an interview ● Fabric profile: ● Irish designers blended fabric ● Craft industry Ordinary level 2010 ● Fashion trends (photo ● Cottage industries ● Fabric profile: provided) ● Career opportunities manufactured ● Applying a design to a fibre jacket 2009 ● Casual jacket (photo ● Fabric profile: ● Commercial provided) natural fabric patterns ● Trousers (sketch and describe) ● Colour application ● Suitable fabric 2008 ● A top and matching cargo ● Synthetic/man-made ● Trendsetters pants/shorts fabric profile ● Fashion changes ● Fabric construction 2007 ● Office outfit (design, ● Fabric finishes ● Small business fabric, etc.) ● Employment 2006 ● Two-piece sports outfit ● Natural fibres ● Media influences ● Elements of design (classify, properties) ● Commercial patterns ● Design a logo 2005 ● A tracksuit for a teenager ● Clothing ● Fabric profile: ● Principles of design requirements manufactured fibres ● Fabric construction ● Accessories techniques 2004 ● Shirt for staff in a ● Fabric profile: wool ● Teenage fashion restaurant ● Colour application ● Career opportunities ● Applying a company logo 4 LESS STRESS MORE SUCCESS To achieve good marks: ● Read questions fully and underline key words. ● Carefully sketch all outfits/garments and label sketches correctly. ● Describe the outfit/garment separately from sketches. ● Investigate current Irish designers and their contribution to the fashion industry. ● Be familiar with the current state of the textile industry – read the papers, listen to the news, research via the Internet, find out what happened in the latest government budget. Marks are often lost due to lack of detail, repetition of information, no sketches/ illustrations/drawings, poor descriptions. The written paper Exam questions and summary sample answers show what is expected when answering a question. The next two exam questions show the integration of topics within the elective questions. In the following chapters, only the relevant section of a question (part of a question) and suggested answers are given. Exam question and sample answers All questions begin with a statement. Read and analyse statements carefully. Higher Level 2009, Section C, Elective 2, Q2 2. (a) ‘Today’s consumer demands drive tomorrow’s fashion.’ (i) Discuss how the design and construction of clothing is influenced by each of the following: ● social factors ● economic factors ● industrial factors. ,points ؋ 3 marks each (one reference to social 5) (marks 15 ؍ (economic and industrial plus two other points Social Factors (two examples): 1. The changing status of women resulted in women working outside the home and created a demand for work wear, e.g. more formal tailored designs in sombre colours. 2. Social conformity has resulted in individuals Always choose examples demanding the latest fashion trends which from the current season are acceptable within their peer or social group, e.g. wool/cashmere coats. TEXTILES, FASHION AND DESIGN 5 Economic Factors 1. The increase in unemployment and a reduction in disposable consumer income for clothing have led to a reduction in spending on clothing. Consumers are demanding better-quality fabrics and designs at more affordable prices. 2. The cost of production in Ireland has resulted in many textile and clothing manufacturers relocating to countries where production and salary costs are lower, e.g. China, African countries. Industrial Factors 1. Computerisation (computer-aided design) has led to improvements in garment design, pattern making and cutting out. 2. Improved systems of communication have supported developments in design, manufacturing and delivery to ensure that those involved in the industry can work in many countries and deliver clothing to any country across the world. (ii) Elaborate on the factors that influence current ready-to-wear fashion. (marks 10 ؍ points ؋ 5 marks 2) 1. Trendsetters in music videos and on TV programmes influence ready-to-wear ranges, e.g. sometimes outfits worn on a particular show become available in high street stores or through Internet fashion outlets within weeks. 2. Designs of the main fashion houses become available after fashion shows each season. Sometimes elements of their designs are incorporated into ready-to-wear designs, e.g. velvet, Give examples from a current lace and tweeds used in a variety of TV show, e.g. The X Factor. designs And 2(b) or 2(c) 2. (b) The elements of design are tools used by designers and clothing manufacturers to enhance the appearance of garments. (marks 6 ؍ i) Name three elements of design. (3 ؋ 2 marks) 1. Colour. 2. Line. 3. Pattern. (ii) Explain how each element named may affect the appearance of an (marks 9 ؍ outfit. (3 points ؋ 3 marks 1. Colour (3 marks) ● Darker colours are seen as slimming, e.g. black, navy and grey. Outfits in darker shades visually reduce figure size. ● Warm colours make outfits appear larger. ● Colour can be used to emphasis a design feature, e.g. collar, cuffs. 6 LESS STRESS MORE SUCCESS 2. Line (3 marks) ● Vertical lines give an illusion of length and height, making the person look slimmer. ● Horizontal lines add to the width and make the body look wider. ● Diagonal lines may visually increase height. Curves visually create softness and roundness in an outfit. 3. Pattern (3 marks) ● Prints can be used to emphasis a design feature, e.g. pocket, belt. ● Large patterns do not suit smaller figures and can be overpowering. ● Small prints suit smaller figures. Or: 2. (c) (i) Describe the construction of one type of knitted fabric. (marks 7 ؍ point ؋ 3 marks ؉ 2 points ؋ 2 marks 1) Construction 1. A series of interlocking loops are worked by hand (using needles) or by machine to produce a flexible chunky, fine or thick fabric. 2. The amount of stretch is dependent on the yarn used and the type of knitting structure. 3. There are two basic structures: ● Weft knitting (worked by hand using a single yarn to form interlocking loops in a horizontal direction).