Trialling of Materials and Production

How long have I got for this section? Due in: 22/11/06
How many marks is this bit worth? 4
How many pages should it occupy? Maximum 3

When the final design proposal has been decided, the next stage of the process is to develop the product. An important initial step in this is to test and trial the design proposal. This is in order to:
¨ Make decisions about what materials, pre-manufactured components and production processes to use.
¨ Match materials and components with suitable tools, equipment and processes.

Materials

Begin by writing a fabric specification. What are the qualities of fabric needed for your final design? This will take the form of a short list e.g. stain resistant, crease resistant, and may include any draping/handling descriptions. Use this fabric specification to find samples of suitable fabric; ask for samples of fabric in fabric shops or ask your teacher. Note the fibre(s) content and method of fabric construction. Devise suitable tests to help make a decision about the best fabric to use for your product. Use tables, charts or star profiles to record and evaluate your results. You should have enough information to devise a care label for your product.

Components

These are items that are used in addition to fabric e.g. thread, fastenings, linings and interfacings, decorative components (beads), functional or structural components (elastic, boning). Look at your final design and decide what components are needed and how you will use them. Test how you include them e.g. work samples of button holes, look at different types of zips and how to insert them, look at different types of interfacing and how to apply them. By the end of this you will have made decisions about which components to use and how many/much will be needed.

Production methods

You will need to look at how you will construct your product. Think about what type of seam and seam finish you need to use. Refer to your evaluation of products in AO2 to see what methods may have been used. Test stitches and work samples appropriate to your product. Make decisions about which methods to use and explain why you have made them.