The Written Exam – 2 sections

1. GCSE TEXTILES 2013 The Written Exam – 2 sections Section A This asks you to design a textile product. The exam board will give some information on the theme and design context. Approximately 25% of the paper marks are for Section A. Section B These questions will be based on the subject content listed in your revision booklets. It will test your subject knowledge and understanding and is worth about 75% of the paper marks.

2. Exam Preparation Sheet This gives you a focus for your revision, but does not include everything you need to revise. Analysing the exam preparation sheet is an important starting point for your revision. It contains the inspirational themeand the design context for Section A. This year they are: GCSE TEXTILES 2013

3. Theme: Worldwide Transport Design Context: Educational products for a child

6. Hanging mobile Playmat Possible textile products Wall-hanging Soft toy Other? Cloth book

7. When deciding on your product remember… You may well be asked to write a design specification for it so think of a TARGET MARKET (the age of the child/boy/girl)and a specific PURPOSE OR FUNCTION (what does it teach them)

8. Price: this might depend on where your product was sold – exclusive boutique or supermarket? Maintenance: all children's products should be machine washable – why? Environmental issues: parents often want environmental products for their children Safety issues • no choking hazards • Low flammability • Safety warning labelling Design Specification: …criteria that your design needs to meet...how could you meet these criteria? Visual appeal: must appeal to children, e.g. Colourful, bold, exciting. Might include spots/ stripes/ checks, flowers etc

9. Fibre Content Is it … Natural? – Cotton Wool Silk Linen Synthetic?- Acrylic Polyester Nylon Elastane Regenerated? Viscose Or it could be a blend of fibres – E.g. Polycotton Fabric Construction Is it … Woven? Plain weave Twill weave Satin weave ...could be a PILE WEAVE Knitted? Bonded? Fabrics • Some suggested fabrics: • Polyester Fleece • Twill weave polycotton • Polyester jersey • Cotton towelling • Acrylic fake/faux fur fabric • Tactelmicrofibre • Look at labels on existing products for more ideas...

10. Include parts that can be removed and replaced with Velcro or poppers – shape matching etc? Make the parts of the product build together to form different things (like transformers!) Incorporate electronics that use a hidden battery power source to activate, e.g. Sounds, lights or movement device Educational Features? Include SMART fabrics that react to heat or light. E.g. Change colour with heat Include alphabets letters/ words/ numbers/ foreign language etc Include different textured fabric for babies to feel

11. ..don’t forget components! • To add interest and decoration e.g. • Sequins and beads • Trimmings/braids • Embroidery thread • Ribbon • Piping • Tassels • Functional e.g. • Zips • Buttons • Eyelets • Velcro • Hooks & eyes • Poppers (press studs)

12. And Decorative Techniques!! Appliqué CAD Machine Embroidery Printing Quilting Patchwork

13. Section A is usually worth about 25% of the marks but this is the part that you can almost guarantee good marks for if you prepare well! Start your design work NOW! Do more research if you wish, think of a few ideas and start sketching; LABELLING AND THINKING as you go! Show your prepared ideas to me and we can discuss how to develop them to increase your chances of high marks in this section..... Remember, examiners will be seeing about 350 papers, one after the other so make yours stand out with a good idea! Something different will always do well (as long as you stick to the design brief )