a thin strand used for sewing or embroidery, made from cotton, polyester, silk, or nylon

a single loop or movement of thread made with a needle when sewing or decorating fabric

Hand stitching

Art and design

Introduction to the principles of textile design

Surface quality and appliqué

Constructed textiles

Printing inks and dyes

Wax Batik

Machine stitching

Surface pattern

Textile design: the influence of sources on investigations

This is a teacher led unit which introduces to pupils to the skills within their endorsements. Through a series of workshop activities, students experiment with a range of materials and techniques. They develop a range of studies exploring mark making media, print and mixed media.

Foundation workshops: an introduction to the areas of study

By stitching only the outlines of faces in straight lines

By layering line, tone and texture using thread like a drawing tool

By cutting fabric into face shapes and gluing them together

How do artists use sewing machines to create expressive portraits?

It means the machine will stitch automatically without help

It’s a type of pencil used before stitching

It's an attachment that lets you move the fabric freely to draw with thread

It means the thread is left loose and unstitched

What does 'freehand' mean when using a sewing machine?

How to set up and control the machine correctly for freehand stitching

How to programme a digital embroidery file

What should you understand before using a sewing machine for thread drawing?

It’s only used to join fabric pieces together

It’s used decoratively to add colour, texture and detail

It should always be hidden inside the fabric

Which of the following is true about thread in textile art?

It allows for more expressive, detailed stitched drawings

What’s a benefit of experimenting with thread, colour and layering in textile portraits?

True or false? Sewing machines can only be used for straight lines and joining fabric.

Starter Quiz

How do artists use sewing machines to create expressive portraits?