SKE Course Day 21

In our final textiles session, we learnt about fibres and fabric creation, and how it can be applied and taught in schools.

We learnt about needle felting, wet felting, finger knitting, angelina fibres, plastic bonding and weaving.

By playing with each method of fabric creation, I left the session with a sample from each method, and a greater understanding of how to teach each method.

Equipment needed for needle felting

Needle felt

Finger knitting

Layering up ready for wet felting

Towel, bamboo board, bubble wrap, fabric that won't bond with felt, felt

After rolling (could be done for longer to ensure the felt is thicker and stronger)

Pocket created by inserting a piece of plastic and bonding felt over the edges

SKE Course Day 20

As a group we began to put our Kitronik project ideas into practice, and created a rough prototype of the light up safety glove we have designed for people who participate in sports during dark nights, winter, or when visibility is poor.

The shape has been designed to be comfortable and easy to wear as a single accessory or over a glove, and will be made of several pieces of fabric to create a fashionable design.

Sketchbook notes on the fabric we are going to use

Prototype shape

Prototype created from the new pattern with bias binding

We have had great feedback on this project so far and can't wait to create a working prototype and finished item in the coming weeks!

SKE Course Day 19

On returning to our mainly designing sessions, we began by re familiarising ourselves with Solid Works, by creating a jar shape, making it 3D, and turning it into a shell. It was great to be able to spend some time experimenting and learning the software for ourselves, which allowed us to come across problems and solutions as our students may when using the software.

We then moved on to working in our groups for the IKEA chair. We split up the task of drawing the chair into sections, and each created part files based on the individual components of the chair. With these parts completed we then began to assemble the chair using the assembly function. A picture of the completed chair and render will follow once completed.

Finally, we had a brief introduction to 3D printing, which we will be able to practice in the next session. Our task was to follow a template to create a switch cover (which will be 3D printed) for our task light. As long as we kept the switch holder the same size, the style and shape of the switch cover could be altered with ease.

The 3D printed element of the task light is yet another great way to really show off our skills, so that when speaking to colleagues, students or indeed in interviews for the NQT year, we have a good example of one product that has been created using a variety of methods found in many secondary school DT departments.

SKE Course Day 18

In Resistant Materials, we focused on getting together the components needed for our task light and ash frame.

We created a laser cut template and pieces for our task light. Using the templates, we marked out and cut the sides of our light using the band saw. Then, using a jig, we drilled the holes for the dowel joints and hinges.

Using the laser cutter

Laser cutting my pieces

After laser cutting

By creating our own jig for the vacuum, we learnt the importance of precision when marking out dimensions and sanding. 

Jig for vacuum forming

vacuum forming

Ash frame

Once we had the main elements of the light created, we moved onto cutting the halving joints out of our ash frames. Both the light and frames will be completed in our final week.

SKE Course Day 17

For our penultimate session with Food, we looked at fats.

Working in pairs, we made a Victoria sponge with a different fat in. Once baked and filled with strawberry jam we taste tested each cake and noted our thoughts on a table. The aim of this experiment was to allow us to discover the most appropriate fat for cakes, and how you can alter the fat to change the texture and flavour.

I worked with Jen, and used a mixture of butter and low fat spread. The results were great.

Our finished cake

The classes cakes

Once we had experimented with cakes, we then went on to carry out the same experiment but with pastry. Each pair was given a different fat, and asked to make pastry for egg custard tarts.

The finished tarts

The afternoon session focused on what happens to foods when dry heat is applied to it. We experimented with egg whites, milk, water, potato, bacon, flour, cheese, lard, butter, marshmallow, jelly and bread. We monitored their progress over an initial period of 3 minutes, then monitored minute by minute to catalogue any chemical or physical changes. 

SKE Course Day 16

Once we had received our parts from Kitronik, we began to develop our circuit using Circuit Wizard and trial and error to ensure that the circuit created for our glove will work well.

Sewable switch and LEDS

Testing the circuit

Circuit Wizard tests

SKE Course Day 15

Back in our groups for the Kitronik project, we created our video for the Kitronik website. 

Following our storyboard we created our video surrounding the tinkering task. The finished video will be uploaded here as soon as it is ready!

Once our video was completed, we went into town and began looking at current products available on the sports market surrounding visibility. 

We will use our findings to influence our research and final product.