There has been a bit of a change in the Textiles department in the last 12 months with the arrival of new sewing machines and a heat press for GCSE students. Since September, KS3 students have also started our new Textile projects that aim to build on creativity and skill year-on-year. 

Year 7 have been making banners using hand embroidery such as running and back stitch, and fabric collage on the sewing machine. Students get to pick their own theme and size of the banner and spend a number of weeks decorating them according to their design ideas. With a focus on hand sewing and sewing machine confidence, it is a great way for students to start their Textiles studies at The Heathland.

In Year 8 classes, students have made a reversible fabric box, with more focus in this project on construction. Students learn 3 main decorative skills; bubble wrap printing, appliqué and couching, along with the fabric construction method of sewing a seam. Once students have designed their box, they decorate 4 pieces of fabric (2 for the outside, and 2 for the inside), next all 4 pieces are then sewn together using accurate seam sewing. 

Finally, Y9 students have been working on a collaborative project with the DT department where they will make a stool. Later in the year, classes will rotate and complete the stool base, whilst in Textile lessons students have focused on the theme of 'Texture' to decorate and then upholster their stool tops. Students learn numerous skills and continue to build on those previously learnt; patchwork, appliqué, reverse appliqué, tucks, fabric collage, free machining and couching. These skills are then applied to the fabric to create the stool top.

Textiles – Banner making review

This term, we made banners in our Textiles classes. It started out quite simple, and we learnt the basics, and we then used our knowledge to create a design for a personal banner. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this project and thought it turned out great.

Sabrina Yusuf (7 Turner)

Making a banner is such a great idea as it expanded my creativity! We learnt how to use a sewing machine and hand stitch. It has been great fun and has made me love Art! I can’t wait to do more Textiles in Year 8 and I hope to get better. We have also learnt the parts of the machine which is great!

Laura Malinowska (7 Palmer)