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 Reception | Whole Class Project | Resistant Materials | Engineering |
| KS1 |  Individual Project | Graphics | CADCAM |
| KS2 | Short Task | Food | Catering |
| KS3 | Research and Investigation | Textiles | Fashion |
| KS4 | Enterprise activity | ICT | Electronics |
| Post 16 | Product Analysis | Systems and Control | Structures |
| Embedding ICT in DT |
Lesson Context
This project was adapted from the QCA unit of work on slippers (unit 6B). The focus was creating structures using textiles. Three classes undertook the project with children in Years 5 and 6.
Resources Needed
a range of bags for analysis
a selection of suitable fabrics
a variety of different types of fastenings
sewing equipment (including sewing machines)
paper suitable for pattern making
Teacher Preparation
A collection of existing bags and worksheets are helpful for a focused analysis of exisiting designs. Examples of different fabric fasteners are useful and time may need to be spent showing children how they are fixed to fabrics and how they operate. Allowing the children time to evaluate the pros and cons of each type of fastening is also very worthwhile as it ensures the children have a better understanding when it comes to selecting the type of fastening that best satisfies their design requirements. Plenty of scap paper needs to be available for children to make paper mock-ups of their designs to help them see the construction process through and identify any pitfalls before they use their fabric and make more costly mistakes. We also found it necessary to acquaint children with some of the ideas and conventions associated with pattern making before they constructed their own pattern pieces.
Project Brief
The children were asked to design and make a textile bag for a specific person, with a particular use in mind. e.g. a swimming bag for a younger brother/sister or a beach bag for the family etc
Design and Manufacture
After analysing a range of existing bag types, the children spent a morning listening to a presentation from an International leather bag designer who talked them through the real life process of designing and making leather bags for sale in many high street outlets well known to the children. This provided the children with an invaluable overview of the whole process and left them eager to begin their own projects, especially as the designer agreed to come back to see the final products and pick three to be made up in leather out in his factory in India.
The children completed a design proforma that covered all aspects of the design before having a go at making a paper mock-up of their design. Adjustments were made where necessary before the children created their own pattern pieces and set to, making their fabric bags.
Expected Outcomes
All children will have produced an individual, hand crafted bag for a specific person (either themselves or a member of their family) for a particular use.
Classroom Organisation
Lessons were planned to take place on a weekly basis throughout the Spring term. With every child creating their own unique bag, many pairs of extra hands were needed and a willing band of parent volunteers came to our aid, bringing with them their sewing machines and overlockers to give the bags a slightly more professional finish!
Additional Information
The children were all thoroughly delighted with their finished 'designer' bags and couldn't wait to use them at home. One child has even borrowed their bag from the classroom display to 'take up town' at the weekend.
The fact that the children were able to relate their work in school to a real-life designer and manufacturer of bags gave the project much greater impact and appeal, particularly with the added incentive of the prospect of having their very own bag made up in leather in India.
