Textiles and Fabrics

What this page covers

This unit sits in the Materials strand of Design and technology. Most of the resources here are mind maps, and they cover the materials side of textiles as well as the design side. You will find maps on fibres, yarns, smart fabrics, microfibres, laminated fabrics, non woven fabrics and modern or technical materials. Others look at fashion trends, roles in industry, life cycles and the constraints on a designer.

Where to start

Begin with the basics. The Types of Fibre mind map explains that yarns are threads made from tiny hairs called fibres, and that fibres come as short staple lengths or longer filaments. Then move to Microfibres, Laminated Fabrics and Smart Fabrics, which build on that vocabulary with thermochromic, photochromic and hydrochromic fabrics.

1. Read a fibre map first.
2. Open a fabric-property map, such as the one on laminated fabrics.
3. Look at the map on hand tools and equipment, which also covers industrial machinery and stitching by machine.
4. Finish with a quiz.

Using quizzes and maps together

Start with the General Textiles Quiz, which opens with a question on what CAD stands for. The textiles quiz asks plainer questions, such as why cotton is good for nightwear and why people buy organic cotton. Take a quiz after each map. Where you miss a question, go back to the matching map and read that branch again.

There is also a Types of Fibre quiz, which works well straight after the fibre map.

Flashcards and project maps

The flashcard decks are handy for short sessions. The deck called Textiles - EDEXCEL GCSE asks about the bias, colouring calico, French seams, the role of a needle and the benefits of cotton. Other decks cover technical textiles, textiles in the home and sustainability. Project maps such as the bag, rug and cushion analyses show how others break down a design task, and teachers may find them useful as examples.

Next step

Choose one map that matches what you are working on today, then test yourself with a quiz. If you want something that is not here, you can make your own map or deck once you are ready.