Teaching Children about Clothing Printing and Design

Thursday 12th of April 2007 01:00:56 AM

Teaching Children about Clothing Printing and Design

Two students, Sarah Kitching and Emily Webzell, from Bassenthwaite, UK, who attend the Keswick School, have won a trip to the Caribbean and will tour a Fair Trade banana plantation while on their travels. They entered a contest organised by PrintIT!, which helps to educate children and teenagers about the printing and textile business in the UK. More than four hundred schools entered the competition, which required students to develop lessons, instructions, and other design plans that could be used in the manufacturing of T-Shirts and other items.

Kitching and Webzell worked together to design lesson plans which they included in a booklet about designing a logo, sticker, and T-Shirts. The girls created a template and included pictures of their final product. “They exhibited a unique style and made good use of the opportunity to employ vibrant colours. Their entry was also well-presented and clearly demonstrated that a level of research into the printing process had been undertaken,” said Martin Elmy, the chairman of PrintIT!.

Both students will be going to the Caribbean in August and will be accompanied by their graphics teacher, Alan Nanson and a chaperon. “I saw on of their first ideas and thought it had potential, so I encouraged them to develop it. The end result was very eye-catching and stood out from the other entries,” said Nanson.

Learning about the printing industry by creating templates and designs may spark an interest in textiles which could lead to a career for some students. Along with PrintIT!, the Fairtrade Foundation was also present to see all of the entries. Visiting another country to see how manufacturing plants are organised and operated is an experience any young designer would cherish.

(c)Nick Deneweth, www.sxc.hu