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ScotlandFashion & Textile Technology

Construction Techniques

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What construction techniques are used to make textile items, and what is each one for?

Textile construction techniques: seams (plain, French, flat-felled, overlocked), edge finishes (hems, facings, bias binding), fastenings (zips, buttons, Velcro, press studs), and shaping techniques (darts, pleats, gathers, tucks), and the purpose of each.
An SQA Higher Fashion and Textile Technology answer on textile construction techniques, covering seams, edge finishes, fastenings and shaping techniques such as darts, pleats and gathers, and explaining the purpose of each technique in making a textile item.
13 min answer →

What tools, equipment and processes are used to make textile items, by hand and in industry?

Equipment, tools and processes for making textile items: pattern construction and layout, cutting, the sewing machine and overlocker, pressing, and how commercial manufacture (CAD/CAM, computerised cutting and sewing) scales these up, together with safe working.
An SQA Higher Fashion and Textile Technology answer on equipment, tools and processes, covering pattern layout and cutting, the sewing machine and overlocker, pressing, safe working, and how commercial manufacture uses CAD/CAM and computerised cutting and sewing to scale production.
12 min answer →

How is the quality of a textile item checked and tested, both as it is made and once it is finished?

Quality and testing of textile items: quality control during making (accuracy, consistency, tolerances), objective performance tests (strength, abrasion, colourfastness, shrinkage, flammability), and quality standards and symbols, and why quality matters.
An SQA Higher Fashion and Textile Technology answer on quality and testing, covering quality control during making, objective performance tests such as strength, abrasion, colourfastness, shrinkage and flammability, quality standards and symbols, and why quality matters.
12 min answer →

How do you choose the right construction technique for a particular fabric and a particular item?

Selecting appropriate construction techniques: matching the technique to the fabric type (sheer, stretchy, bulky, hard-wearing), the position and strain on the item, the standard of finish required, and the cost and time of production.
An SQA Higher Fashion and Textile Technology answer on selecting appropriate construction techniques, explaining how to match a technique to the fabric type, the strain and position on the item, the standard of finish required, and the cost and time of production.
12 min answer →