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Matariki Textiles Exploration

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Matariki Textiles Exploration

Plan a soft star-shaped textile keepsake inspired by Matariki. Read the client brief and design notes, then answer each question. Consider the intended user, safe construction, materials and how your choices show care and respect.

Client brief

Mere is designing a soft star keepsake for a five-year-old called Maia to enjoy during Matariki. Maia has drawn a five-pointed star and asked for a blue front with a small silver star stitched near the centre. The keepsake should be soft, washable and sturdy enough for gentle play. It must have no detachable small parts, long loose cords or sharp edges. Mere has access to felt, cotton thread, washable polyester stuffing, fabric shears, pins and a hand-sewing needle. The finished star should measure 20 cm from point to point.

Design notes

Useful planning reminders: felt is soft and does not fray easily; a seam allowance is extra fabric beyond the stitching line; pins hold layers together temporarily; a prototype lets you test a design before making the final item. For a young user, check that seams are secure and decorations cannot be pulled off.

1.Which design requirement is most directly about preventing a choking hazard?

Use a blue front
Avoid detachable small parts
Make the star 20 cm wide
Use washable stuffing

2.Mere chooses felt for the star. Give two properties of felt that make it suitable for this project.

3.The finished star must be 20 cm across. Mere adds a 1 cm seam allowance on both sides of the pattern's width. What width should the paper pattern be? Show the calculation.

4.Mere cuts two matching star pieces from felt. Explain why the pieces need to be larger than the finished star before sewing.

5.Put these planning actions in a sensible order by writing 1–4 beside each: test a prototype; record Maia's needs and constraints; make the final star; sketch and annotate a design.

6.Match each item to its main use: fabric shears; pins; needle and thread; washable stuffing. Uses: hold layers in place; cut fabric; join fabric pieces; fill the sewn star.

Fabric shears
Pins
Needle and thread
Washable stuffing

Hold layers in place
Cut fabric
Join fabric pieces
Fill the sewn star

7.Choose the safest way to attach the silver star decoration for a five-year-old's keepsake.

Use a loose button that can be removed
Sew the decoration firmly with secure stitches
Tie it on with a long ribbon
Use a sharp pin as a permanent fastener

8.Write two checks Mere should make before giving the keepsake to Maia.

9.Explain how listening to Maia's ideas and making a thoughtful keepsake can show manaakitanga and support whanaungatanga.

Sketch the front of Maia's star keepsake. Label the fabric, silver decoration, seam or stitching, and one feature that helps make it safe for a young user.