Year 7 Technology — Term 2 Textiles Technology Revision Flashcards

A complete set of 100 question-and-answer flashcards covering all chapters of the Year 7 Technology Textiles Technology Revision Guide.

How are textiles defined in a broad sense?

Fibres, yarns, and fabrics used to make a wide range of products.

What are the four main categories of textile products based on their end use?

Apparel, Furnishings, Non-Apparel (Industrial and Technical Textiles), and Textile Arts.

What is the defining characteristic of apparel?

It is clothing and accessories worn on the body and in direct contact with the human body.

What are furnishings in the context of textiles?

Textiles used inside the home, office, or built environments for comfort, warmth, decoration, or function.

Provide three examples of non-apparel (industrial and technical) textiles.

Ropes, parachutes, and seatbelts.

What is the primary purpose of textile arts?

Creative expression and meaning, rather than function.

In textile design, what does the term 'end use' refer to?

The final, intended purpose of a product—what it will be used for and by whom.

How is 'costume' defined as a sub-category of apparel?

Clothing designed to represent a character, historical period, occupation, or cultural tradition.

What is the most basic unit of a textile?

A fibre.

What is the difference between staple fibres and filament fibres?

Staple fibres are short strands like cotton, while filament fibres are continuous long strands like silk.

From where are natural fibres obtained?

Directly from plants or animals.

What environmental characteristic is common to natural fibres because they come from living organisms?

They are generally biodegradable.

What is the source of cotton fibre?

The fluffy seed pod (the boll) of the cotton plant.

What are three natural properties of cotton?

Softness, breathability, and high absorbency.

What is a major environmental challenge associated with conventional cotton farming?

It requires very large amounts of water and often uses significant quantities of pesticides and herbicides.

How is wool obtained?

From the fleece of sheep, or other animals such as alpacas and cashmere goats.

What physical structure gives wool its outstanding insulating properties?

Its naturally crimped (wavy) structure that traps air.

What is sericulture?

The labour-intensive process of harvesting and processing silk.

From what plant is linen derived?

The stalks of the flax plant.

What is the typical origin of synthetic fibres?

Industrial chemical processes, typically derived from petroleum (a fossil fuel).

What are two common performance advantages of synthetic fibres over natural fibres?

They are generally more durable and quicker to dry.

What happens to synthetic fabrics when they are washed that concerns environmentalists?

They shed microplastic fibres that enter waterways and the food chain.

What is the most widely produced synthetic fibre in the world?

Polyester.

Which fibre was the world's first fully synthetic fibre, developed in the 1930s?

Nylon.

What synthetic fibre is designed to mimic the feel of wool?

Acrylic.

What is the primary characteristic of Spandex (also known as Lycra or elastane)?

Extraordinary stretch and recovery.

Which property is defined as the ability to take in and hold moisture?

Absorbency.

What does the property of 'elasticity' refer to?

The ability to stretch and return to the original shape without permanent distortion.

Which natural fibre is the premier choice for insulation or warmth?

Wool.

What is 'breathability' in textiles?

The ability to allow air and moisture vapour to pass through the fabric.

Compare the biodegradability of natural vs. synthetic fibres.

Natural fibres are biodegradable; synthetic fibres are not and persist for decades or centuries.

What properties are necessary for sports clothing?

Strength and absorbency, along with elasticity, breathability, and durability.

What is the process of twisting raw fibres together to form a continuous thread?

Spinning.

What are the vertical and horizontal yarns called in weaving?

The vertical yarns are the warp and the horizontal yarns are the weft.

How is knitted fabric created?

By forming interlocking loops of yarn.

What are non-woven fabrics?

Fabrics manufactured by bonding or felting fibres together using heat, pressure, or chemicals without spinning or weaving.

What is the main purpose of using a structured design process?

To provide a logical framework that ensures the final product meets user needs and accounts for constraints.

What occurs during Stage 1 (Research and Identify the Need) of the design process?

Understanding the problem, identifying the user, and investigating the context of use.

What is a design brief?

A written document describing the design problem and the requirements for the solution.

In the design process, what are constraints?

Real-world limitations such as budget, available materials, time, and safety standards.

What is the goal of Stage 4 (Generate Design Ideas)?

To produce a quantity and diversity of possible solutions through sketching and exploration.

What happens during Stage 6 (Plan and Produce) of the design process?

Creating a detailed production plan and actually constructing the product.

What is the definition of Stage 7 (Evaluate)?

Judging the final product against the original criteria for success to see if it meets user needs.

What document serves as a comprehensive record of the entire design project?

The design folio.

What are 'criteria for success'?

A list of specific, measurable standards against which the finished product is judged.

What defines good project management in a textiles context?

Planning, organising, tracking progress, and communicating if schedules change.

Define sustainability in the context of textiles.

Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

List the 6 R's of sustainability.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Rethink, Refuse.

In the 6 R's, what does 'Rethink' mean?

Questioning assumptions behind how products are designed, produced, and consumed.

What is upcycling?

A form of Reuse where an old garment is transformed into something new.

What is 'fast fashion'?

A business model producing large quantities of cheap, trend-driven clothing designed to be replaced quickly.

How does slow fashion differ from fast fashion?

It encourages buying fewer, higher-quality, long-lasting garments made through ethical production.

What is rPET and why is it used?

Recycled polyester made from plastic bottles; it reduces the need for virgin petroleum.

What is ethical consumerism?

Making purchasing decisions based on the impact on people and the environment.

What does the Fairtrade mark indicate about a product's producers?

They received a fair minimum price, a Fairtrade Premium, worked in safe conditions, and met environmental standards.

What is 'greenwashing'?

Making misleading, exaggerated, or unsupported environmental claims in order to seem eco-friendly.

Which Australian organization regulates product safety, including children's clothing flammability?

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

What is 'product responsibility'?

The obligation of designers and manufacturers to ensure their products are safe for consumers.

What does 'innovation' mean in textiles?

Using new ideas, technologies, or methods to create something new or significantly improve an existing product.

What is a smart textile?

A fabric that responds to environmental stimuli (heat, light, pressure) through the properties of the fibres alone, without electronic components.

How do e-textiles differ from smart textiles?

E-textiles contain embedded electronic components (sensors, microprocessors) and require a power source.

What are conductive threads used for in e-textiles?

They function like wires to carry electrical signals through the fabric.

What is a practical use for a heart-rate-monitoring e-textile shirt?

Allowing athletes to track fitness data in real time and make evidence-based training decisions.

What do optical fibre textiles transmit?

They transmit light along their length through total internal reflection.

Define 'digital textile' as an umbrella term.

A broad term covering all textiles that incorporate technology, including e-textiles and optical fibre textiles.

How do thermochromic textiles react to the environment?

They change colour when they are heated or cooled.

What is the effect of UV light on photochromic textiles?

They darken in sunlight and fade indoors.

What is globalisation in the textile industry?

The increasing interconnection of economies and peoples through global trade, communication, and production systems.

What 2013 event highlighted poor safety conditions in global fashion supply chains?

The collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh.

What do Indigenous Australian textile traditions encode besides aesthetic value?

Knowledge, relationships, country, and law.

What is the principle of cultural ownership?

Communities have the right to control how their cultural heritage and artistic traditions are used and represented.

Who is Lisa Gorman?

An Australian fashion designer known for her ethical collaborations with Aboriginal artists.

What are the three foundations of ethical collaboration with Indigenous artists?

Seeking explicit permission, providing proper credit/recognition, and sharing profits fairly.

Historically, what were two functions of aprons?

Protection (e.g., blacksmiths) and identification (signalling occupation or rank).

What does WHS stand for?

Workplace Health and Safety.

Which legislation governs WHS in Australia?

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

How should scissors be carried in a textiles classroom?

With the blades pointing downward and closed while walking.

What should be done with long hair and loose clothing when using a sewing machine?

Long hair should be tied back and loose items should be secured or removed to prevent entanglement.

At what stage should a sewing machine be switched off for safety?

Before threading or rethreading the machine.

What is a critical safety rule when using an iron?

Never leave a hot iron unattended or face-down on a surface.

Why is it important to pre-wash fabric before cutting or sewing?

To account for shrinkage, especially in natural fibres like cotton, so the finished product stays the correct shape.

What is screen printing?

A decoration technique that uses a stencil and a mesh screen to apply ink or dye to a surface.

What tool is used to pull ink across a screen in screen printing?

A squeegee (a flexible rubber blade).

What is the purpose of 'curing' a screen print?

To fix the ink using heat so it becomes permanent and washable.

What is registration in multi-colour screen printing?

The careful alignment of separate screens to ensure different colours line up correctly.

What is the primary component of cotton fibres?

Cellulose.

Where is cotton primarily grown in Australia?

Inland New South Wales and Queensland.

At what minimum soil temperature do cotton seeds typically germinate?

Above $14^{\circ}C$.

Why is weather forecasting important for cotton farmers?

It helps manage irrigation, timing of planting/harvesting, and reduces the risk of crop loss.

True or False: Screen printing can be used to join seams or cut fabric.

False; it is purely a decoration and surface design technique.

What category does a medical bandage fall into?

Non-Apparel.

Which fibre is often used as a cheaper synthetic alternative to wool?

Acrylic.

What type of textile reacts to UV light?

Photochromic textiles.

In the design process, what does 'Stage 2' involve?

Writing a Design Brief.

What is a 'design folio'?

A comprehensive record of the entire design project from research to evaluation.

Which 6 R strategy involves declining to buy unsustainable products?

Refuse.

What is the main environmental drawback of petroleum-based fibres at the end of their life?

They do not biodegrade and instead break into microplastics.

What is the difference between a smart textile and an e-textile regarding electronic components?

Smart textiles contain NO electronic components; e-textiles DO contain active electronic elements.

Which safety standard is mandatory for nightwear in Australia?

Strict flammability requirements.

What is the horizontal set of yarns in a woven fabric called?

The weft.