Textiles, Clothing and Fashion Design: Fibres, Fabrics and Design Decisions
What the exam tests
This domain covers fibre-to-fabric knowledge, fabric properties, design principles and clothing selection, including care and fashion terminology.
Core rules
- Fibres: natural (cotton, linen, wool, silk) and man-made (rayon, polyester, nylon, acrylic). Staple fibres are short; filament fibres are continuous.
- Cotton: absorbent and comfortable but weaker when wet. Wool: insulating and elastic but shrinks or felts. Silk: lustrous and strong but sensitive to sunlight. Polyester: strong and quick-drying but low absorbency.
- Yarn twist affects strength and texture.
- Fabric construction: weaving (warp lengthwise, weft crosswise; plain, twill, satin), knitting, non-woven and felting.
- Finishes: mercerization on cotton, sanforization for shrink control, water-repellent and flame-retardant finishes.
- Design: elements - line, shape, colour, texture, space; principles - balance, rhythm, proportion, emphasis, unity.
- Fashion cycle: introduction, rise, peak, decline, obsolescence. A fad is short-lived; a classic stays accepted.
Worked example
Choose a fabric for a winter coat for a student on a budget. Reasoning: wool gives warmth and drape but costs more and needs careful washing; polyester is cheaper, durable and quick-drying but less breathable. A wool–polyester blend balances warmth, cost and care. The answer must link fibre property → user need → care, not just name a fabric.
Traps
- Reversing warp and weft.
- Calling satin a fibre (it is a weave).
- Confusing fashion with fad.
- Ignoring care labels and shrink resistance.