Creating Unique Fabrics

Lesson Overview

Subject: Art and Design

Year Group: Year 1

Duration: 60 minutes

Unit: Designing Royal Trousers (Lesson 2 of 4)

National Curriculum Links:

• Art & Design: Pupils should use drawing, painting, and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences, and imagination.
• Computing: Pupils should use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate, and retrieve digital content.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

1. Identify and describe patterns in fabric using Kaffe Fassett’s work as inspiration.
2. Create unique printed fabric patterns using paint and various objects.
3. Experiment with contrasting colours and patterns.
4. Use a simple computer program to design a repeating pattern.

Resources Needed

Teacher Preparation

• Sample fabrics with prints, including Kaffe Fassett’s work
• Printed images of Kaffe Fassett’s designs
• Objects for printing (sponges, cotton reels, leaves, toy bricks, bubble wrap)
• A3 white card (one per child)
• Assorted paints (bright and contrasting colours)
• Palette trays and rollers
• Paper towels and aprons
• Table covers for protection
• Computers or tablets with simple design software (e.g., Paint, Tux Paint, or a child-friendly pattern-making app)

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Visual Exploration (15 minutes)

Engage (5 minutes)

• Gather the children on the carpet and display fabric samples and images of Kaffe Fassett’s designs.
• Ask: "What do you notice about these patterns? What shapes and colours do you see?"

Compare and Discuss (10 minutes)

• Show a mix of patterned and non-patterned fabric. Encourage children to describe differences.
• What makes a pattern look interesting? Talk about repetition, contrast, and bold colours.
• "How do you think these patterns were made?" (Guide them to understand printing techniques.)

2. Practical Fabric Printing (30 minutes)

Demonstration (5 minutes)

• Set up materials on each table.
• Show how different objects can be dipped in paint and pressed onto card to create patterns.
• Demonstrate how changing colours and spacing can create contrast.

Hands-on Activity (20 minutes)

• Pupils work in small groups to create their own fabric designs.
• Encourage them to experiment with different objects, layering prints, and exploring unexpected shapes.
• Support pupils who may be struggling with spacing or paint application.

Midway Check-in (5 minutes)

• Pause work and have pupils share their designs with a partner.
• Ask: “What do you like about your design? What would you change?”

3. Digital Pattern Design (10 minutes)

Introduction to Digital Patterns (3 minutes)

• Explain that fabric patterns can also be designed on computers.
• Demonstrate how to draw or arrange shapes on a simple program.

Hands-on Digital Design (7 minutes)

• Pupils use tablets or computers to create a basic repeating pattern using shapes and colours.
• Encourage them to select colours that contrast and stand out.

4. Conclusion & Reflection (5 minutes)

• Gather on the carpet and display some of the painted and digital patterns.
• Discuss challenges: “What was tricky? What worked well?”
• End with a question: “If you could print a pattern on clothes, what would it be?”

Differentiation

For SEND pupils: Provide pre-cut shapes or stamps for ease of printing; allow a teaching assistant to support motor coordination.
For higher-ability pupils: Challenge them to create a two-layer print by overlapping two different patterns.

Assessment Opportunities

• Observation of discussions and use of artistic vocabulary.
• Checking how well pupils can describe and recognise patterns.
• Evaluating printed fabric and digital designs for use of contrast and repetition.

Extension Activities

1. Collaborative Fabric Mural: Combine all prints to form a ‘class fabric’.
2. Home Challenge: Ask students to find patterned clothing at home and explain the design to an adult.

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This lesson empowers Year 1 pupils to explore pattern-making in multiple ways, ensuring a rich artistic and digital experience.