Lesson video

Hello, thank you for joining me for your Design and Technology lesson.

My name is Mrs. Conway, and I will be guiding you through your learning today.

So today's lesson outcome is, "I can explain and compare small-scale and industrial finishing processes." And these are our keywords.

We have finishing, aesthetics, function, and embellishment.

We'll go through each one of these in more detail as we work through the lesson.

So the first thing we're going to look at are small-scale finishing processes.

Now, finishing is any process applied to a textile after it's been made to improve its aesthetics, function, or durability.

So aesthetics improves the appearance, the texture, or the style, e.

g.

by adding color, shine, or decoration.

The function adds practical qualities.

So for example, making fabric more comfortable or stronger.

And then protection, that helps the fabric last longer and also resist damage, for example, from wear, washing, or the environment in general.

So based on that information, have a go answering this question.

Which of these is a functional finishing process? A, adding sequence to a dress? B, applying a waterproof spray to a jacket? C, tie-dying a T-shirt? Or D, embossing faux leather? Pause the video here, just take a moment to think about your answer.

And the correct answer, it is B.

So an example of a functional finishing process would be applying a waterproof spray to a jacket.

Well done if you got that right.

Now, embroidery uses stitches to create decorative embellishments on fabric.

It can be hand-sewn with an embroidery hoop and special thread.

Embroidery adds aesthetic value through color and texture, and though some stitches can also add functional strength to seams as well.

So here are some examples of embroidery.

On the one, the embroidery has been used for a more decorative kind of technique, whereas on the other, the blanket stitch has actually been used to finish raw edges.

Embroidery can also be done on small sewing machines as well, either freehand or by using a special pressor foot.

And embroidery can also be done with CNC, which stands for computer numerical control machines.

A CNC sewing machine, like the example in the picture, uses computer-controlled movements to guide the needle and fabric, automatically stitching patterns with great precision.

There are other types of surface decoration as well.

So applique, for example, involves sewing shapes of fabric into a base fabric for decoration.

Or in this example, sewing beads or sequins onto fabric can be used for embellishment.

And quilting stitches together layers of fabric with wadding for function, such as warmth, and also aesthetics.

Okay, another quick check for understanding for you then.

I'd like you to match the finish to its description.

You have A, quilting, B, beading, C, applique, and D, embroidery.

Your descriptions are as follows: one, fabric shapes; two, fabric layer stitched with wadding; three, textured embellishments; and four, decorative stitches.

Have a go at matching those together.

Pause the video here and good luck.

Okay, let's go through the answers then.

So quilting goes with number two, which is fabric layers stitched with wadding.

Beading went with number three, textured embellishments.

Applique went with number one, fabric shapes, which leaves embroidery to go to number four, which was decorative stitches.

Hopefully you got all of those right.

Now, fabric paints are specially formulated paints designed to add adhere to textiles for embellishments on fabrics.

You can do this by block printing, for example.

Block printing is stamping fabric with carved wooden or lino blocks, usually in some sort of repeated pattern.

You can also do it with screen printing.

Screen printing pushes ink through a stencil on a mesh screen and different stencils are layered to create a design of different colors.

Here you can see all the elements of the screen printing.

So you have the design underneath.

There is a screen.

The ink goes on top of that screen and it gets pushed through the screen using that squeegee.

The stencil is on top of that screen to help that as well, to make sure that there is an interesting pattern going through to the design.

Now, fabric dye is a solution that penetrates fibers to permanently change the color of fabric.

Tie-dye involves tying fabric to resist dye in certain areas.

Dip dye involves dipping fabric partly into dye for a gradient effect, and you can see that really clearly in the examples there.

Okay, what's the main difference between fabric paint and fabric dye? A, paint soaks in and dye stays on top? B, paint stays on top and dye soaks in? C, both soak in the same? Or D, paint is only used on synthetics? Pause the video here to have a little think about this.

And the correct answer, it was B.

So the main difference between fabric paint and fabric dye is that paint stays on top of the material, whereas dye soaks in.

Now, Batik is an ancient embellishment technique that originated in Java, Indonesia.

It is a fabric decorating technique that uses wax to create patterns that resists the dye in certain areas.

Hot wax is applied to fabric, which is then dyed.

The waxed area resists the dye, leaving the original pattern behind once that wax is removed.

Here's an example of some traditional Batik fabric.

Let's look in more detail at the Batik process.

First, you draw the design onto the fabric with a pencil.

Then you use a tjanting tool or paintbrush to apply hot wax to the design.

Then you dip the fabric into the dye solution and leave it too dry.

Lastly, you then remove the wax with hot water or iron with absorbent paper.

In Batik then, what is the purpose of the wax? Is it A, to make the fabric waterproof? B, to help the dye spread evenly? C, to make the fabric shiny? Or D, to stop dye from coloring certain areas? Pause the video here just to think about your answer.

And the correct answer, it was D.

So the wax stops the dyes from coloring certain areas and that's what makes the pattern.

Wax can also be used to coat cotton to make it water-resistant.

Cotton is an absorbent fiber and draws in the wax very well, whilst maintaining its breathability.

Waxed cotton is normally used for high-end outdoor jackets, as the waxing process is normally done by hand.

Beeswax is melted and either applied by brush or roller.

And over time, the wax does wear away, but it can be easily reapplied.

Here are some examples of jackets.

Wax cotton is more of a functional quality than an aesthetic one, but the coats can still look good.

Okay, over to you to have a go at a few tasks then.

First thing I'd like you to do is to explain the purpose of finishing in textiles and give one example of an aesthetic finish.

Secondly, I'd like you to compare quilting and waxing in terms of function and aesthetics.

Next, I'd like you to describe the process of Batik and its main purpose.

And lastly, a jacket is finished with waterproof coating and decorative applique.

Identify which is a functional finish and which is an aesthetic finish, explaining why.

Okay, pause a video here to have a go at these four tasks and good luck.

All right, how did you get on with those four tasks? Let's take each one in turn.

Firstly, I asked you to explain the purpose of finishing in textiles and give one example of an aesthetic finish.

The example answer reads: Finishing improves a fabric's appearance, function, or durability.

An aesthetic finish example is embroidery, which adds decorative stitching for visual appeal.

Your second task was to compare quilting and waxing in terms of function and aesthetics.

The example answer reads: Quilting provides warmth, function, and can be decorative, aesthetic.

Waxing improves water resistance, function, but usually has little aesthetic effect.

Your answers will read slightly differently.

It's absolutely fine.

Just compare yours to these examples and make sure you've got the key points.

Next, I asked you to describe the process of Batik and its main purpose.

Batik involves applying hot wax to fabric in patterns, dyeing the fabric, and then removing the wax.

The wax resists the dye, creating decorative patterns for aesthetic purposes.

Did you include each of those steps and did you remember to explain the main purpose? And lastly, a jacket is finished with waterproof coating and decorative applique.

Identify which is a functional finish and which is an aesthetic finish, explaining why.

The waterproof coating is a functional finish because it protects against rain.

The applique is an aesthetic finish because it adds decorative fabric shapes for visual effect.

Once again, just compare your answer to the example one there and check you've got the key points included.

Next, we're going to look at industrial finishing processes.

We've considered small-scale, so let's consider industrial now.

Industrial finishing uses large-scale machinery to improve things such as aesthetics, function, and durability.

So the same as small-scale.

Using machinery, however, helps us to reduce human error, increase production speed, and produce identical results.

Now, this is important for large orders where every product must match.

Quick check for understanding on that then.

Which of these is a reason to use industrial finishing? A, it creates unique one-off designs? B, it ensures consistency? C, it speeds up production? Or D, it allows for handcrafted imperfections? Pause the video here just to have a think about your answer.

And the correct answer, there was two.

So reasons to use industrial finishing are it ensures consistency and also speeds up production.

Well done if you managed to get both of those.

Calendering and embossing can be used to apply aesthetic finishes onto fabrics.

Calendering uses heated rollers to modify fabric smoothness, or even to add a pattern such as a moire.

This is an example of moire fabric.

A calendering machine can also be used to emboss fabrics, e.

g.

faux leather, by using engraved rollers.

So here's an example of how this works.

The fabric is fed in, the rollers then use heat and pressure to press and smooth or emboss, and the finished fabric then comes out from the rollers.

Now, natural fibers like wool and cotton can be finished to improve their function.

For example, making them softer and warmer.

Brushing uses fine brushes to raise the fibers on the surface, making the fabric softer and sometimes fluffier.

Fabrics like flannelette or brushed cotton are made using this process.

If you look closely at the edge of this flannel shirt, you can see that raised fibers from the brushing are actually visible.

Now, natural fibers like wool and cotton can be finished to improve their function as well.

So i.

e.

making them softer and warmer.

Napping uses wire rollers to lift and tease the fibers, creating a thicker, warmer, fuzzy kind of surface Fabrics like velvet and fleece are made using this method.

So velvet, here's an example of velvet, that is a napped fabric.

Okay, quick check for understanding on that then.

What is the main difference between brushing and napping fabrics? Is it A brushing lifts gently, napping lifts more for warmth? B, brushing smooths, napping raises fibers? C, brushing uses heat, whereas napping uses water? Or D, brushing is for synthetics, napping for naturals? Pause the video here just to think carefully about your answer.

And the correct answer, it is A, so the main difference between brushing and napping is brushing lifts gently, whereas napping lifts more for warmth.

Mercerising is a treatment for cotton fibers that make them stronger, shinier, and better at absorbing dye.

It's done by soaking cotton in sodium hydroxide solution, which causes the fibers to swell.

The cotton is then rinsed thoroughly with water.

The swollen cotton fibers allow for better dye absorption, which means brighter colors can be achieved for a natural fabric.

Here's some examples of mercerised cotton, which have a lustrous sheen to them.

Sanforising is a process that pre-shrinks fabric, especially denim, to prevent it from shrinking during later washing.

It is done by feeding damp fabric into a sanforising machine, a series of rubber belts and rollers that stretch and compress the fabric in a controlled way.

Then the fabric is cooled and dried.

So denim fabric is sanforised so that they don't shrink in the wash.

Which statement is correct about mercerising and sanforising? A, mercerising pre-shrinks fabric and sanforising makes cotton shiny? B, both processes make fabric waterproof? C, both processes only work on synthetic fabrics? Or D, mercerising makes cotton shiny and sanforising pre-shrinks fabric? Pause the video here just to have a think about your answer.

So the correct answer is mercerising pre-shrinks fabric and sanforising makes cotton shiny.

Industrial textile surface treatments are applied as a coating to fabrics to improve their performance.

So waterproofing repels water for outdoor gear.

Fire retardants slow ignition for any furnishings or work wear.

Stain resistance prevents the absorption of spills.

And antibacterial odor control keeps fabrics hygienic and fresh.

Let's look at rotary screen printing then.

Now, this is a method where patterned cylindrical screens apply continuous designs to fabric quickly and efficiently.

Fabric can also be printed using large digital printers that work much like an inkjet printer, and this allows for very intricate designs.

Here we have a little look at this example of rotary screen printing, you have the inks, then you have the cylindrical screens printing a color at a time onto the fabric below.

Within each roller is a squeegee to remove any excess ink.

Quick check for understanding on that then.

Why are surface treatments applied to fabrics? A, to change their fiber content? B, to weave patterns into them? C, to improve appearance or performance? Or D, to make them lighter? Pause the video here just to have a little think about your answer.

And the correct answer was C.

So surface treatments are applied to fabrics to improve appearance or performance.

Manufacturers need to consider the impact that producing products in volume has on the environment.

Considerations include the VOCs, volatile organic compounds.

Those are from solvents that can cause air pollution.

The use of water-based or low-VOC alternatives is increasing.

Finishes have chemicals that can pollute waterways, so waste paint/dyes, chemicals, and wash-off water must be treated before being released into the water system.

Right, over to you now to have a go at some more tasks.

The first thing I'd like you to do is to explain how calendering changes the appearance of fabric.

Next, I'd like you to compare brushing and mercerising in terms of function and aesthetics.

Your third task is to discuss one environmental issue linked to industrial textile finishing and a method to reduce it.

And lastly, a manufacturer is deciding between rotary screen printing and digital printing.

I'd like you to suggest one advantage of each.

Right, pause the video here to have a go at these four tasks and good luck.

All right, I hope you got on okay with those tasks.

Let's take each one and turn.

So the first thing I asked you to do was to explain how calendering changes the appearance of fabric.

An example answer reads: Calendering passes fabric through heated rollers to smooth and flatten it, giving a shiny polished appearance.

The second thing I asked you to do was to compare brushing and mercerising in terms of function and aesthetics.

Brushing improves softness and warmth, so the function, and gives a fluffy texture, which is the aesthetic.

Mercerising increases strength and dye uptake, that's the function, but also adds luster, and that's the aesthetic.

Just check your answers to these and just check you've got those key points, even though they will be slightly different.

Next, I asked you to discuss one environmental issue linked to industrial textile finishing and a method to reduce it.

The example answer reads: Finishing can release VOCs and harmful chemicals into water.

This can be reduced by treating wastewater before releasing into the environment.

And lastly, a manufacturer is deciding between rotary screen printing and digital printing.

I asked you to suggest one advantage of each.

The example answer reads: Rotary screen printing is faster for large runs, and digital printing allows more detailed designs without making new screens.

Once again, if I can just ask you to compare your answers to the example ones and check you've got the key points on there.

Right, let's summarize today's lesson.

Today, we've been looking at finishing processes for textiles.

Now, finishing improves of fabrics, aesthetics, function, or durability, and can be done on a small-scale or through industrial processes.

Small-scale finishes are manual, creative, and unique, but slower and less consistent.

Industrial finishes, however, are fast, consistent, and they use larger machines.

Small-scale has lower environmental impact, while industrial scale can be resource-heavy.

Well done for all of your hard work in today's lesson.

Thank you so much for joining me, and I will see you soon.