From fibre to fabric
A fibre is a thin hair-like strand. Fibres are twisted (spun) into yarn, and yarn is made into fabric.
- Natural fibres: cotton and linen (from plants) are cool and absorb sweat; wool (sheep) is warm; silk (silkworm) is smooth and shiny.
- Synthetic fibres: polyester, nylon and acrylic (from oil) are strong, quick-drying and cheap, but do not breathe well and shed microplastics.
- Blends, such as polycotton, mix the good points of both.
Making fabric
- Weaving: warp (lengthwise) and weft (crosswise) yarns interlace. Plain, twill (denim) and satin weaves look and feel different.
- Knitting: one yarn makes loops, so the fabric stretches (T-shirts, jumpers).
- Non-woven: fibres are pressed or bonded (felt, face masks).
Fabric can then be dyed, printed or finished (for example made water-resistant).
Elements and principles of design
Elements (the tools)
- Colour: hue, light or dark. Warm colours stand out; dark colours look slimmer. A colour wheel helps choose schemes.
- Line: seams, stripes, edges. Vertical lines add height; horizontal lines add width; curves look soft.
- Shape / silhouette: the outline of the outfit, such as A-line, straight or fitted.
- Texture: how a fabric feels or looks: smooth silk, rough tweed, shiny satin.
Principles (how to use them)
- Balance: symmetrical (same both sides) or asymmetrical.
- Proportion: how parts compare. Unequal splits near 3 : 5 often look better than equal halves.
- Emphasis: one focal point, such as a bright collar or belt.
- Rhythm: repeated details lead the eye.
- Harmony: everything works together.
The design process
- Research: who is the customer, what is the occasion, what are the trends?
- Mood board: pictures, colours and fabric samples that set the theme.
- Sketches: fashion drawings, then a clear flat (technical) drawing.
- Pattern: paper shapes for each garment piece, made by measuring or draping on a dress form.
- Sample (toile): a test garment to check fit, then changes.
- Production: cutting, sewing, finishing and quality checks, in sizes.
- Selling: shows, shops, online.
Designers must also think about cost, comfort, care (washing) and safety.
Merchandising, marketing and sustainability
Merchandising is getting the right product, in the right amount, at the right time and price, to the right customer. It includes planning ranges, buying stock and displaying it well.
Marketing uses the 4 Ps: Product (what it is), Price, Place (where it is sold) and Promotion (adverts, social media, fashion shows). Brands pick a target market, such as teenagers or office workers.
Trends and seasons
Collections follow seasons (spring/summer, autumn/winter). Fast fashion makes cheap copies of trends very quickly; slow fashion makes fewer, longer-lasting pieces.
Sustainability
Clothing uses a lot of water, energy and dyes, and creates waste. Better choices: organic or recycled fibres, fair pay for workers, repair, reuse, renting and recycling.
Key formulas and definitions
- [object Object]
- [object Object]
- [object Object]
- [object Object]
- [object Object]
Worked examples
1. Which fibre would you choose for a summer school shirt in a hot country, and why?
Cotton (or a cotton blend). It is a natural plant fibre that absorbs sweat and lets air through, so it feels cool.
2. A designer wants a short client to look taller. Give two design ideas.
Use vertical lines (stripes, front seams, a long row of buttons) and one colour from top to bottom so the eye moves up and down without breaks.
3. A dress is 100 cm long. Where should the waist seam be for a 3 : 5 top-to-bottom split?
Total parts = 3 + 5 = 8. One part = 100 ÷ 8 = 12.5 cm. Top = 3 × 12.5 = 37.5 cm from the shoulder, bottom = 62.5 cm.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up elements and principles. Elements are the parts (colour, line); principles are the rules for arranging them (balance, emphasis).
- Thinking warp and weft are the same. Warp runs along the length; weft goes across.
- Starting with a sketch before knowing the customer. Research and target market come first.
- Thinking synthetic means always bad. Synthetics are strong and quick-drying; the problems are breathability, microplastics and oil use.