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      Materials and manufacturing processes: textiles

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can determine and justify the materials and manufacturing processes required to manufacture my design.

      Key learning points

      1. When selecting suitable materials for manufacturing, decisions need to be explained and justified.
      2. A manufacturing specification is written to inform manufacture.

      Keywords

      • Justify - the reason or explanation for why something is done, or believed to be right

      • Manufacturing specification - a detailed document that outlines requirements to produce a product

      • Working property - the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment; also referred to as mechanical properties

      • Physical property - the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features

      • Manufacture - the process of making products from raw materials using machines or labour

      Common misconception

      Choosing materials is always based on aesthetics.

      Many factors determine the material choice, such as the purpose and environment of the product. For example, cotton calico is absorbent and not suitable for damp or humid places unless finished with a waterproof layer.

      Teacher tip

      Have a range of sample materials available for pupils to hande.

      Equipment

      Pattern paper, drawing tools, range of textile samples

      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

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What can a designer evaluate their design against?

      someone else's design ideas
      Correct answer: a design specification
      an existing product

      Q2.
      What does the word 'justify' mean?

      Correct answer: to give a reason or explanation for the decisions
      to list different options without explanation
      to guess the outcome without evidence

      Q3.
      The balanced relationship between different parts of a product is called?

      Correct Answer: proportion, proportions

      Q4.
      What information can be seen around the outside of this sketch?

      alterations
      Correct answer: dimensions
      permissions

      Q5.
      is used in design and prototyping to represent objects at a different size than their actual dimensions.

      Correct Answer: scale

      Q6.
      Put these ratios in size order from biggest to smallest.

      1 - 2:1
      2 - 1:1
      3 - 1:2
      4 - 1:25
      5 - 1:50

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      What are the advantages of using paper pattern pieces or templates?

      Correct answer: saves time
      Correct answer: easy to replicate
      Correct answer: increased accuracy
      difficult to replicate
      takes more time

      Q2.
      The way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment is also referred to as .

      Correct Answer: mechanical properties, mechanical property

      Q3.
      A manufacturing contains all of the information needed to manufacture the product.

      Correct Answer: specification

      Q4.
      Textiles can be natural or _________.

      Correct Answer: synthetic, manufactured, manufactured

      Q5.
      What are the advantages of using blended fibres?

      Correct answer: improved aesthetics
      Correct answer: reduced cost
      increased cost
      Correct answer: improved functionality

      To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Materials and manufacturing processes: textiles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...