83723 Constructed Textiles

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Design
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 83622 Visualising Fashion 1 AND 83233 Visualising Fashion 2 AND 83882 Foundations in Patternmaking and Construction 2

Description

This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of machine knitting alongside experimental constructed textiles. The knit studio explores hand, domestic and industrial machine knitting. Students also learn of the capabilities of the Shima Seki through talks and lectures. Tasks have been designed for students to learn basic knit structures/patterns, punch cards, casting on and off, and knit machine parts/accessories. Hand-knitted samples are produced to test different fibre types (cellulosic, protein, synthetic) with a selection of dyes (reactive, acid and natural). Emphasis is on professional presentation and documentation of a technical file that demonstrates an analysis of knit structures and dye results. The Experimental Constructed Textiles task explores material innovation and cultural narrative through a selection of textile techniques/structures (distressing, weaving, crochet, lace, applique, embroidery, tufting, and folding). Materials are sourced using sustainable approaches to recycling, applying theories of circularity. A series of guest lectures present current industry and contemporary knit/textile design. An emphasis throughout this subject is placed on professional, ethical and sustainable practice. On completion, students have gained a technical understanding of knit, dye and sustainable practice and have explored textiles as a metaphor for social and cultural narrative.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Students will be able to develop effective visual presentation skills relevant to textile design
2.	Students will be able to develop and learn the ability to respond to verbal feedback and constructive criticism through active participation in the textile tutorial sessions
3.	Students will be able to develop and engage with projects that enhance their ability to challenge boundaries and take risks within each textile design project
4.	Students will be able to develop ways to enhance self directed learning within each of the textile design projects
5.	Throughout each project brief students will be able to learn and explore appropriate levels of textile technical skills
6.	Students will be able to knit fundamental patterns and test dye methods on a variety of materials.
6.	Students will be able to manage textile production, resources and print budgets relevant to textile design
7.	Students will be able to engage with relevant textile skills that will enhance creative approaches to thinking and problem solving relevant to fashion and textile practices
8.	Students will be able to develop an original aesthetic sensibility in textile design project throughout each textile design brief
9.	Students will be able to apply creative approaches to technology based activities throughout each textile brief
10.	Students will be able to engage in a variety of enquiring approaches and methodologies relevant to textile design processes

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

• Effectively communicate concepts in fashion and textiles in performative, oral, visual and written forms (C.2)
• Respond to constructive criticism and feedback (C.3)
• Develop an original aesthetic sensibility (I.1)
• Demonstrate an ability to speculate, experiment, challenge boundaries and take risks (I.2)
• Demonstrate an ability to adapt technology and materials creatively (I.3)
• Demonstrate self-directed learning and self-initiated problem-solving (P.1)
• Demonstrate the ability to acquire, use and integrate relevant technical skills into creative projects. (P.2)
• Effectively manage time to complete projects with accuracy, rigour and care (P.4)
• Accuracy, rigour and care (P.5)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is delivered in weekly sessions of a one-hour lecture on campus only (six in total; please check the program) and two-and-a-half-hour tutorials/material workshops. The lectures and tutorials are all face-to-face. A range of teaching and learning strategies, including lectures, knit and experimental textile workshops, discussions, and student presentations. Students are required to complete their knit samples in class; there will be no access to the knit lab outside of class. For Experimental Constructed Textiles, students are required to develop and research their individual projects outside of class and bring their experiments and sampling in for feedback each week. Research includes exhibition visits, independent reading, journaling and reflection on studio work.

Content (topics)

Machine and Hand knit sampling

Dye testing on a variety of materials (cellulosic, protein, synthetic)

Innovative approaches to textile construction techniques (weave, croquet, lace, tufting, folding, applique, embroidery)

Conceptual approaches that explore cultural narrative through material innovation

Developing professional technical files

Ability to articulate concepts through design statements and mood boards

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Experimental Constructed Textiles

Intent:	This task aims to explore material innovation and textiles as cultural narrative/metaphor through a variety of textile structures and techniques
Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 and 9 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.2, C.3, I.2, I.3, P.1 and P.2
Type:	Project
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	50%
Length:	Each 2.5 hour studio session students are expected to develop textiles outside of class at least 6-8 hours a week

Assessment task 2: Machine and Hand Knit

Intent:	This task aims to introduce students to machine knit pattern. Students also will test different dye methods on a variety of materials through hand knit sampling. Emphasis is on professional technical files that record sampling and dye results.
Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 10, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): I.1, I.2, I.3, P.1, P.2, P.4 and P.5
Type:	Project
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	50%

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Required texts

Please refer to Assessment Handout and UTS online for recommended texts

Recommended texts

Please refer to Assessment Handout and UTS online for recommended texts

References

Please refer to Assessment Handout and UTS online for recommended references

Other resources

Please refer to Assessment Handout and UTS online for recommended references