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Lesson 2 of 9
  • Year 10

Surface quality and appliqué

I can design and make an appliqué using fabric shapes and stitches.

Lesson 2 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Surface quality and appliqué

I can design and make an appliqué using fabric shapes and stitches.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Appliqué is a way of drawing with fabric and stitch techniques.
  2. It is important to choose the correct fabric for the appliqué to help describe the surface textures.
  3. Stitch can be turned into a design feature, for example using a bold colour which will stand out against the fabric.

Keywords

  • Appliqué - a textile technique where fabric shapes are stitched onto a background to make a design.

  • Template - a shape or pattern used as a guide for cutting fabric.

  • Layer - placing fabric pieces on top of each other to add depth, texture, or detail to a design.

Common misconception

Appliqué must involve stitching.

Stitching fabric shapes onto a background is a common way to attach pieces in appliqué. However, appliqué can also involve using fabric glue or PVA glue to attach smaller pieces of fabric to a larger background.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Surface quality and appliqué, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Many people think appliqué is embroidery or stitch. It is worth taking the time to teach students the difference between all of these disciplines.
Teacher tip

Equipment

White or neutral cotton, varied textured fabrics, scissors, pins, needles, embroidery thresd, paper, pencils, fine liners.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What does the term 'appliqué' mean in textiles?

Gluing paper shapes onto card
Correct answer: Stitching fabric shapes onto a background to make a design
Drawing directly onto fabric with pen
Printing patterns onto fabric using a roller

Q2.
Which of the following can be used to add texture and detail to a textile design?

Correct answer: Layering fabrics
Correct answer: Using different types of stitches
Colouring with pencil
Correct answer: Beading or embroidery

Q3.
Why do artists use layering in appliqué and textile design?

To make all the fabric pieces the same colour
To make the fabric pieces stick together without sewing
Correct answer: To build up colours, textures and patterns for more detailed designs
To make the design flatter and simpler

Q4.
Why might artists use a template to create their appliqué?

To sew pieces together on a machine
To measure the length of thread
Correct answer: To cut out fabric shapes accurately
To make an appliqué more visually interesting

Q5.
Can appliqué be done by both hand and machine?

Correct answer: Yes
No

Q6.
Match the terms to the best definition:

Correct Answer:Appliqué,A textile technique where fabric shapes are stitched onto a background

A textile technique where fabric shapes are stitched onto a background

Correct Answer:Template,A shape or pattern used as a guide for cutting fabric

A shape or pattern used as a guide for cutting fabric

Correct Answer:Layering,Placing fabric pieces on top of each other

Placing fabric pieces on top of each other

Additional material

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