Upcycling fashion design
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can adapt existing textile designs to create a new product.
Key learning points
- A piece of school uniform can be upcycled and turned into something new.
- Upcycling is an example of sustainable fashion.
- Textile techniques can include appliqué, sewing, gluing and stapling.
Keywords
Upcycling - turning old or unwanted materials/products into something useful
Sustainable - using what we need, whilst protecting the environment so there is enough for the future
Common misconception
Clothing is alway made from scratch using pattern pieces.
Existing clothing can be upcycled to make new items of clothing.
Teacher tip
Ask pupils to bring in any unwanted or worn clothing in advance.
Equipment
Relevant school uniform pieces, scrap fabric or other recycled clothing items, scissors, tape measure, needle/thread, pins, fabric clips, safety pins, glue, stapler.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What did Vivienne Westwood originally train to be?
Q2.What was this famous Vivienne Westwood dress called?
Q3.What era was Vivienne Westwood first inpired by?
Q4.What is upcycling?
Q5.Most of our waste ends up in landfill or being incinerated (burned), and only a small fraction is recycled. What is landfill?
Q6.What do we call cheap fashion that has a huge environmental impact, with some items of clothing only being worn once?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How do you upcycle an item of clothing?
Q2.A quick and simple way to upcycle a pair of jeans would be to turn them into ...
Q3.Which textile technique involves gluing or stitching fabric shapes onto a fabric base?
Q4.What other techniques can be used to attached extra elements to clothing?
To help you plan your 6 design and technology lesson on: Upcycling fashion design, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 design and technology lesson on: Upcycling fashion design, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 design and technology lessons from the Products and people: inspirational design unit, dive into the full primary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.