The course requires students to complete a portfolio on "Suiting" that addresses four criteria: 1) Research - Students investigate how shirts are constructed and create a basic pattern from disassembling a shirt. 2) Developing Design Solutions - Students design an accessory and develop a pattern to create a range of suits. 3) Making - Students plan the manufacturing of one of their suit designs in detail. 4) Evaluating - Students evaluate the blouse, accessory, and suit as a whole by testing how it fits in a chosen store and conducting consumer trials.

1. Coursework
The A level course requires you to a portfolio based on the topic
of “Suiting”.
The products made are each addressed in a criterion.
1. RESEARCH: Criterion 1
You will investigate the marvellous way in which a fabulous
shirt is put together.
This will require the disassembly of a fashion top/shirt that
you really like to make a basic block pattern. This year
students worked from a block provided by NEXT. Making the
shirt teaches you a wide variety of skills that you will need
further on. The product will be made for a particular shop on
the high street which you need to investigate, conducting a
footfall analysis and drawing up a client profile of the
customer base.

3. 2a.DEVELOPING A DESIGN SOLUTION A: Criterion 2
You will design an accessory suitable for your suit. This could
be a belt, bag, necklace or scarf.
This requires knowledge of printing and decorative techniques,
which all must be explained in detail, with practical
investigations to support your findings.

4. 2b.DEVELOPING A DESIGN SOLUTION B: Criterion 2
You will develop a pattern from a block pattern and design a
range to suit a customer of your choice. You will develop that
range with drawings practical investigations.

5. 3. MAKING: Criterion 3
You will plan the manufacture of one of your designs in detail.
This involves detailed industrial practises knowledge and
application.

6. 4. EVALUATING: Criterion 4
The evaluation will look at the blouse, accessory and suit as a
whole. You will test how it would fit into the store of your
choice and conduct consumer trials and interviews. The
conclusions drawn will give you scope to write detailed
recommendations.

7. Deadlines & Dates
Criterion 1: 26-10-2009 (Half term break)
Criterion 2: 18-12-2009 (Christmas break)
Criterion 3 & 4: 30-03-2010 (Easter break)
Exam AS: End of May
Clothes Show: December 2010
HOW AM I MARKED?
The outcome carries a maximum of 24 marks out of 80. That is
only 30% of the total mark compared to 60% during your GCSE.
Making is important but the folder work is paramount. Therefore
the tasks chosen allow you to show much skill without requiring
and extraordinary amount of making time!

8. HOW IS THE SUBJECT CONTENT
TAUGHT ?
• Materials & Component lessons are taught on
Monday in week one. Every lesson is taught
through a power point presentation which
students are encouraged to send home or
place on a memory stick.
• Background reading is required after every
lesson.
• Homework tasks are set to ensure that
students are progressing.

9. STUDENTS AT WORK!

11. RESULTS A2
• 2008 = 90% A-C
• 2009= 90 % A-C
• 2010= 100% A-C
(One A* result)