This activity, for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, looks at textiles in fashion design. It provides an opportunity for students to increase their knowledge and understanding of a circular economy approach to developing textiles products and how textile companies are applying this approach to developing new products...

In this project, students investigate and compare the waterproof and breathability properties of a range of fabrics used in clothing designed for sailing. They will find out about the different fabrics used in wet weather sailing gear. In particular, how breathable waterproofs work and what advantages and...

This project demonstrates how to use a light sensor cell holder and make a circuit using two PCB LEDs. The resource provides a step by step guide on how to make a bike backpack cover with LEDs inserted along one of the reflective stripes. It uses a cell holder which has a light sensor on it which means the LEDs...

This resource describes how to make two hearts which light up when placed next to each other. Each heart has a magnet switch and magnet hidden along the side edges and once they are lined up with each other, a circuit is created. A miniature cell holder is used along with a PCB LED that glows through the fabric....

This resource describes how to make a safety armband or beltband.The projects use a basic e-textiles circuit, but a popper has been added into the circuit to create a switch. When the popper is open the circuit is broken and the LED will not light up. When the popper is closed the circuit is functional and the LED...

This resource describes how to add an LED light to a beanie hat.It is an ideal starter project and uses a basic e-textiles circuit. Students will learn how to use conductive thread, a standard LED and a switched cell holder in order to place the light on the outside of the hat without cutting a hole. Step by step...

A Catalyst article describing how new materials can be designed by studying natural materials and how they work. In particular the development of Velcro, military fabric, swimwear and waterproofing is looked at. These products were developed by scientific study of natural products such as plant burrs, pinecones,...

In this set of six lessons, students are briefed to design, make and evaluate a product suitable for use with a Brompton bicycle. The activities are presented in the context of a real company and include challenges that reflect the textiles technology strand of the design and technology curriculum.

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The Brompton Cycle Route projects offer students experience of the design process from initial brief through market and product research, generating design ideas, modelling/trialling, production planning and evaluation. The activities are presented in the context of the Brompton Bicycle Company and offer...

In this project, students test the strength of samples from different items of clothing to find out which material is the strongest.  One way to see which material is strongest would be to hang weights from it until it breaks, with the one that holds the most weight being the strongest. 

In this resource, students design a new glove for use in a sport of their choice. Students may find it helpful to talk with local people who partake in their chosen sport. The P.E. Department may be able to suggest suitable contacts.

A selection of tests, activities and factsheets are available for the...

One of the trial units from the Nuffield Primary Solutions in Design and Technology. In this unit, children work co-operatively to produce a large weaving suitable for display in the entrance hall of a school.

The purpose of this activity is to explore weaving, and to design and make a large woven
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One of the trial units from the Nuffield Primary Solutions in Design and Technology. In this unit, children learn about woven fabrics, and to design and make a fish like construction using a primitive loom.

The finished loomfish can be displayed in the classroom, so that the different designs can be...