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Primary Design Technology Scheme of Work

Arty Cushions (Lower Key Stage 2)

Design Brief: Design and make a decorative cushion to be sold in the local art gallery shop.
Strand of Learning: Materials & Textiles
Overview: In this unit children join textile pieces to create both a cushion and a cushion cover. They design and decorate their cover based on a famous and iconic work of art. Children investigate different kinds of cushions and their purpose. They build on previous learning about the running stitch and different embroidery stitching techniques. They are introduced to the back stitch and apply this knowledge when learning about different textile fastenings and when sewing a button and matching buttonhole. They use these techniques to make a cushion and decorative cushion cover that is inspired by an iconic work of art. As part of the evaluation, children create an online shopping page for the cushion product they have designed and made.

Gallery

Images from the Lesson Presentation Slides

  • 6 x Lesson Presentation Slides

  • Additional Presentation: Sewing Techniques

  • Additional Presentation: Decorating Fabrics

  • PDF Worksheets: Online Shopping Review Sheet

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Medium Term Planning includes:

  • 6 x lesson overviews

  • Vocabulary List

  • Learning statements linked to Curriculum

  • Support and Challenge

  • Assessment - Keeping up with the curriculum

Teaching Pack

Curriculum Scope and Sequence

Substantive & Technical Knowledge

Pupils should know:

  • The difference between a design brief and design specifications.

  • There can be a range of people and places that can be clients for a product.

  • How computer-aided design software can help in the design process.

  • The properties of materials that they are working with and how these determine the tools and techniques that they use.

  • Design specifications are a list of success criteria for the product.

  • The client can be used to evaluate the success of a product.

 

Materials

  • That products are made of materials that are chosen because of their properties.

 

Textiles

  • That ‘joining technique’ means connecting two pieces of fabrics together and the methods that are permanent or temporary.

  • A range of joining techniques to connect two pieces of fabrics together such as sewing and gluing.

  • Joining two edges of fabrics together creates a seam.

  • A range of sewing techniques (such as a running stitch for making seams and cross stitch for decoration)

  • Appliqué is a way of decorating textiles by adding smaller pieces of fabric to create a picture or a pattern.

Practical Knowledge (skills)

Pupils should know how to:

  • Generate ideas for a product, considering its purpose and who the client is.

  • Design a product that meets client’s needs and the design brief.

  • List the design features that will appeal to the client.

  • Use computer software to show what their final product will look like.

 

  • Select suitable tools, equipment, materials, and components for the task.

  • Explain their choices of materials, techniques and tools when making a product.

  • Measure, mark out, cut and shape materials with increasing accuracy.

  • Select and apply a finishing technique to create a quality product.

  • Evaluate their product using a range of sources including client review, peer review, design brief and the design criteria.

 

Materials

  • Measure, mark-out, cut and shape a wide range of materials.

  • Cut internal shapes and joining slots in sheet materials.

  • Join and combine materials and components using a variety of methods.

  • Manipulate different materials to create different effects by cutting, creasing, and folding.

 

Textiles

  • Measure, mark out and cut fabric using a paper template (pattern)

  • Join fabrics together using a range of different sewing techniques (such as running stitch and cross stitch) including allowing for a seam.

  • Create a 3D fabric product by combining fabric pieces and using a seam allowance. 

  • Apply a range of decorative techniques, including embroidery stitches, to different fabric materials. 

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