No Author (2012) Fashion: The Ultimate Book of Costume and Style. DK Publishing
Aldrich, W. (2008) Metric Pattern Cutting for Womenswear . Wiley-Blackwell
Cole, J. And Czachor, S. (2009) Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers Fairchild Books Inc
Fischer, A. (2008) Basics Fashion Design: Construction AVA Publishing.
Hallett, C. & Johnston, A. (2010) Fabric for Fashion: The Swatch Book. Laurence King Publishing
Joseph-Armstrong, H. (2010) Pattern Making for Fashion Design, 5th ed. Pearson Education Inc.
Knight, L. (2008) The Dressmaker's Technique Bible David & Charles Publishers
Nakamichi, T. (2010/11) Pattern Magic/ 2. Laurence King Publishing
Parish, P. (2013) Pattern Cutting: The Architecture of Fashion. Bloomsbury Publishing
Sato, H. (2012) Drape Drape/ 2. Laurence King Publishing
Wolff, C. (1996) The Art of Manipulating Fabric Krause Publications

Indicative:
Introductory briefing at onset of module
Interim briefings x 4
Seminars, lectures and group tutorials considering design, audience, market, and health and safety
Workshops and studio tutorials
Group tutorials with formative feedback
Individual tutorials
Group critiques

In this module you will be introduced to a wide range of materials, media and equipment which will underpin your future studies and industry experience. Investigation through personal enquiry and discovery will be encouraged alongside development of visual and tactile understanding of textiles. Skills relating to the technical working environment will be identified and considered, and you will develop practical abilities across a wide range of equipment and tools. They will be encouraged to seek out alternative applications, resolutions and sampling solutions to design problems, and explore a variety of techniques and practical skills development relating to garment construction and presentation. Health and safety will be included as an important aspect of the module.

A range of communication methods will be explored (e.g. trends predictions, sketchbooks, sampling files, mood boards, final boards, 2D and 3D products, presenting work at critique) and you will be encouraged to show perception through personal expression and appropriate enquiry. It is not anticipated that all work you submit will be finished pieces but it will show the stages of your development work and experimentation in the use of media, machinery and ideas exploration.

You will be expected to record your progression continuously, through an illustrated studio diary, evaluating and reflecting on your work as you move through the module. Your diary should be a rich recording of your experience, and be regularly updated with comments and samples describing your progress in the context of the wider manufacturing environment, including a discussion of the constraints and challenges of designing and cutting in the clothing industry. The diary is an important aspect of the module, showing your ability to discuss the professional context of working in the industry.

Assessment 1 - Portfolio
A portfolio of work that demonstrates exploration of materials, media and machinery, exploring and interpreting ideas, techniques and processes for garment design, cut and manufacture.
(Weighted at 80%) [LOs 1, 2, 3]

Assessment 2 – Studio Diary
A visual reflective studio diary, showing a detailed consideration of your own development in the context of the professional working environment. Your diary should include an evaluation of your whole learning process as you undertake the research, design and critical analysis required for assessment 1.
(Weighted at 20%) [LOs 2, 4]

Students will have access to studio space and college library and computer resources. University learning resources are available on campus at Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent, and online via the partner Need to Know pages of the university website.
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/courses_and_study/partnerships/current_students/email/index.jsp

1. UNDERSTAND AND INVESTIGATE YOUR OWN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT USING A RANGE OF EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND MEDIA TO UNDERPIN YOUR STUDIES.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

2. CREATIVELY IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE SOLUTIONS UTILISING DEVELOPED SKILLS IN ORDER TO SOLVE DESIGN PROBLEMS RELATED TO DESIGN, CUT AND MANUFACTURE.
[Problem Solving]

3. ORGANISE AND IMPLEMENT REALISTIC AND ACHIEVABLE SOLUTIONS.
[Application]

4. RECOGNISE AND EVALUATE YOUR OWN LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT WITHIN THE MODULE. [Reflection]