Cambridge Syllabus Notes

Textiles and Fashion – IGCSE Art & Design (0400)

Learning Objective

Students will select and use appropriate materials, techniques and visual language to communicate their artistic intention effectively in textile and fashion projects, and will document the full design cycle (research, planning, realisation and reflection).

Key Concepts

Properties of fibres and fabrics and their impact on visual and tactile qualities.
Choosing and combining techniques to reinforce a specific message, mood or narrative.
Developing a clear design brief, conducting focused research, and planning work.
Constructing, evaluating and reflecting on a finished textile piece.
Understanding form, perspective, scale and colour as part of visual language.
Considering audience, cultural context and sustainability throughout the process.

Media & Contextual Areas (choose at least two)

All five media are part of the IGCSE Textiles and Fashion component. Use the decision‑matrix below to match your intention to the most suitable pair.

Intention / Desired Effect	Best‑fit Media Pair	Why this combination works
Strong graphic statement / protest	Screen‑printing + Surface‑pattern design	Screen‑printing provides crisp, repeatable graphics; pattern design extends the visual language across the whole fabric.
Narrative or character‑driven piece	Costume design + Fashion illustration	Costume design defines silhouette and story; illustration records mood boards, colour studies and technical flats.
Exploration of cultural tradition	Batik + Surface‑pattern design	Batik’s wax‑resist technique evokes heritage; pattern design can modernise the motif for contemporary wear.
Experimental surface texture / materiality	Screen‑printing + Batik	Combining two dye‑based processes creates layered visual depth and tactile contrast.
Emphasis on colour relationships and mood	Fashion illustration + Surface‑pattern design	Illustration explores colour palettes; pattern design applies them consistently across fabric.

Research & Contextual Knowledge

Effective work is underpinned by informed research. Record all sources using the template below – this satisfies the syllabus requirement for a research log, citation and annotation.

Source	Type (book, website, interview, etc.)	Relevance to brief	Key cultural / sustainability note
Victoria & Albert Museum – “Fashion in the 20th Century”	Online catalogue	Provides historical silhouettes for costume design.	Highlights post‑war material shortages – useful for sustainability discussion.
WGSN Trend Forecast 2025	Subscription report	Informs colour palette and pattern trends.	Notes rise of bio‑based fibres.

Key Practitioners (Textiles & Fashion)

William Morris – champion of hand‑crafted textile design; illustrates the link between visual language and social ideals.
Zandra Rhodes – bold use of colour and pattern; demonstrates how surface‑pattern design can become a brand identity.
Alice + Olivia (designer duo) – combine illustration with garment construction, showing the power of fashion illustration in development.
Stella McCartney – sustainability pioneer; provides case studies for responsibly sourced fibres and ethical production.
Virgil Abloh – merges street‑wear graphics (screen‑printing) with high fashion, exemplifying cross‑media communication.

Fibre & Fabric Properties (Expanded)

Material	Fiber Type	Key Properties	Behaviour When Wet / Moisture	Heat Sensitivity	Sustainability	Typical Uses
Cotton	Natural	Soft, breathable, easy to dye, moderate tensile strength	Swells, loses some stiffness but retains shape; can shrink if not pre‑washed	Scorches >200 °C; safe on most iron settings (medium)	Biodegradable; organic, recycled or blended options available	Casual wear, printed fabrics, embroidery base
Wool	Natural	Warm, elastic, moisture‑wicking, can felt	Felts when agitated with water & heat; may shrink if not pre‑washed	Sensitive to high heat – may felt or scorch above 150 °C	Renewable; responsibly sourced Merino or recycled wool	Outerwear, knitted garments, textured surfaces
Silk	Natural	Luxurious drape, smooth, high tensile strength when dry	Weakens when wet; can stretch and lose luster	Delicate – avoid direct flame; iron low heat with a cloth	Biodegradable; production can be resource‑intensive	Evening wear, linings, high‑gloss finishes
Polyester	Synthetic	Durable, wrinkle‑resistant, low moisture absorbency	Remains largely unchanged when wet; dries quickly	Melts >260 °C; can scorch with hot iron	Often recycled (r‑PET); petroleum‑based	Sportswear, printed fabrics, blends
Rayon (Viscose)	Semi‑synthetic	Silky feel, good drape, moderate strength	Weakens when wet; prone to stretching and distortion	Low melting point; iron low heat with pressing cloth	Regenerated cellulose; can be produced sustainably	Flowing dresses, linings, printed designs

Techniques for Communicating Intention

Each technique can reinforce or contrast with the concept. The table includes a short note on communicative potential and a safety tip specific to the process.

Technique Group	Specific Techniques	Communicative Potential	Technique‑Specific Safety Tip
Surface Decoration	Printing (screen, block, digital)	Creates repeatable visual language; ideal for bold graphic statements or pattern‑based narratives.	Ventilate; wear gloves when handling inks; keep screen frames away from open flames.
	Embroidery (hand, machine)	Adds texture and hand‑crafted authenticity; can highlight cultural motifs.	Use a thimble; keep needles capped when not in use.
	Appliqué & patchwork	Juxtaposes fabrics to suggest collage, memory or fragmentation.	Secure fabric layers with pins before cutting to avoid slipping.
	Fabric painting & dyeing	Colour gradients, washes or stains can evoke mood, atmosphere or narrative progression.	Work in a well‑ventilated area; wear gloves and protective eyewear when using dyes.
Construction Methods	Sewing (hand, machine)	Precision of seam finish influences perceived quality and durability.	Keep machine needles sharp; unplug when changing accessories.
	Knit construction (knitting, crocheting)	Creates stretch and organic texture; useful for body‑contouring ideas.	Use proper needle sizes to avoid strain; keep needles away from children.
	Felting & non‑woven techniques	Produces dense, sculptural surfaces that suggest solidity or transformation.	When using hot water/steam, wear heat‑resistant gloves.
	Layering & draping	Manipulates silhouette to communicate movement, concealment or exposure.	Secure draped sections with pins or temporary adhesives to prevent slipping.
Fabric Manipulation	Gathering, pleating, smocking	Introduces rhythm and volume; pleats can imply order or rigidity.	Use a pressing cloth when applying heat to pleats.
	Heat setting & stiffening	Fixes shape, useful for architectural or structural concepts.	Never leave heated irons or wax heaters unattended.
	Cutting & shaping (bias cuts, drape studies)	Changes line of force; can create dynamic or fluid forms.	Use a rotary cutter on a self‑healing mat; keep blades covered.
Additional Required Techniques	Fabric dyeing (tie‑dye, immersion, vat)	Colour intensity can symbolize emotion or cultural palette.	Wear waterproof gloves; handle chemicals according to MSDS.
	Screen‑printing (stencil, ink selection)	Sharp graphic edges convey modernity or protest.	Use low‑odor inks where possible; keep work area ventilated.
	Batik (wax‑resist)	Hand‑drawn wax patterns before dyeing evoke tradition and controlled revelation.	Use a temperature‑controlled wax heater; wear heat‑resistant gloves.
	Machine stitching (straight‑stitch, over‑lock, decorative)	Speed and consistency can comment on industrial production.	Keep fingers away from the needle area; disconnect power when changing settings.

Design Process – Intention → Research → Realisation → Reflection

Intention – Analyse the brief, define the core message, decide on mood, symbolism and target audience.
Research – Gather visual, historical and cultural references; create mood boards, colour palettes and a research log (see template above).
Realisation
- Develop sketches and technical drawings (flat and 3‑D). Include perspective, scale and colour studies.
- Select fibres, fabrics and techniques that best support the intention.
- Produce a detailed work‑plan (timeline, resources, risk assessment) and a **visual journal** for quick idea capture.
- Construct the piece, photographing each stage (minimum 5 photos) and noting observations in the visual journal.
Reflection – Evaluate the finished work against the original intention, record successes, challenges and possible extensions, and link back to research and visual language.

Process Documentation Checklist

All evidence should be compiled in a project folder (physical or digital). The checklist follows the syllabus requirement to “record observations, experiences and ideas in appropriate ways”.

Original brief (teacher‑provided or self‑generated).
Research log – sources, relevance, cultural/sustainability notes.
Mood board & colour palette (digital or collage).
Preliminary sketches, croquis, technical flats, and perspective studies.
Work‑plan – timeline, materials list, risk assessment, and visual journal.
Photographic record of each construction stage (minimum 5 photos).
Materials & technique trial sheets (e.g., dye swatches, stitch tests, wax‑resist samples).
Reflective journal – what worked, what didn’t, why, and ideas for future development.
Final evaluation against the four‑stage design cycle.

Sample Project Brief

Title: “Identity Through Fabric”

Task: Design and create a wearable textile piece that expresses a personal or cultural identity using at least two different fabric‑manipulation techniques.

Constraints:

Maximum of three fabric types (choose from the fibre table).
Incorporate one decorative technique (e.g., embroidery, batik) and one construction technique (e.g., pleating, over‑lock stitching).
Complete the project within six weeks, documenting each stage.
Consider sustainability – include at least one recycled or responsibly sourced material.
Produce a visual journal and a final reflective evaluation.

Assessment Criteria (summarised – wording mirrors the syllabus)

Criterion	What Examiners Look For
Use of Materials	Appropriate selection, handling, experimentation and justification of fibres/fabrics in relation to the intended message.
Technical Skills	Control of chosen techniques, accuracy of construction, quality of finish and awareness of health & safety.
Communication of Intention	Clarity of concept, relevance of visual language (form, scale, colour, perspective) and effectiveness of the final piece in conveying the intended message.
Process Documentation	Comprehensive planning, reflective notes, photographic evidence, visual journal entries and clear linkage to the design cycle.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

General safety – Keep sharp tools capped; store needles and blades out of reach of younger students.
Ventilation & PPE – Use a well‑ventilated workspace when working with dyes, inks, adhesives or wax; wear gloves, masks and eye protection where recommended.
Technique‑specific hazards
- Batik – Use a temperature‑controlled wax heater; wear heat‑resistant gloves and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Screen‑printing – Ensure inks are low‑odor; avoid splashing; clean screens in a safe area.
- Heat setting / ironing – Use a pressing cloth; never leave hot equipment unattended.
- Laser‑cut fabric (if used) – Follow manufacturer safety guidelines; wear safety goggles.
Cultural sensitivity – Research the meaning of any traditional motifs; obtain permission where required and give proper credit.
Environmental responsibility – Recycle fabric scraps, use biodegradable or recycled fibres where possible, and dispose of chemical waste according to local regulations.
Risk assessment – Complete a brief risk assessment for any heat‑based or chemical process before beginning work.

Suggested Diagram

Cross‑section of a woven fabric showing warp and weft threads, with annotations for grain direction, tension, fibre type and typical finish.

Reflection Prompts for Students

How did the chosen materials influence the visual impact and tactile experience of my piece?
Which technique most strongly conveyed my intended message and why?
What technical challenges arose during construction, and how did I resolve them?
In what ways could the work be developed further – additional techniques, alternative materials, or expanded narrative?
How does my piece respond to the cultural or sustainability context explored in my research?
What did my visual journal reveal about the evolution of my ideas?

use appropriate materials and techniques to communicate intention effectively