Is GCSE textiles worth it?

Word of warning. If you are going to take gcse art, you will need to do A LOT of work. Like for coursework for people I know, it was like 15 FULL PIECES of work. And that’s not even the exam.

For gcse textiles, it’s alright but again there’s a lot of practical work to do (sewing and all that). There isn’t as much as art but some of the stuff you do can be complicated. If you get lucky with the exam board then it should be ok. But it is ur choice and be careful with them

Thank you!! This was really helpful. I had heard about the mounds of coursework, and how hard it is to get a high grade, but I feel like textiles would just be a waste of time. If I chose art it would likely be because of a lack of other options. Thank you though!

This is probs not even related but just warning you that drama has way more theory than you think so the 'fun' bit kind off dies away, however it is still one of my favourite (and most enjoyable!) subjects so i only recommend taking it if your up the theory work as well as the practical work
! All the best! xxx

GCSE textile is a time-consuming course in the short run, tbh the actual garment is not hard to complete (when you have a lovely teacher that 'guide' you to a full mark standard); but its the folder work that lit. took me a whole holiday week to type, print and stick in colourful pics (thats probably coz i left everything til yr11 to finish it off and i am a bit perfectionist whos a bit slow at organising folder)
however, A* is quite easy to get... i revised the theory few days before, and did some past paper to memorise the typical answer.
i did this course truly for the garment (childhood dream...)

practically speaking... you will learn how to iron staff and recognise aftercare labels? at least it helped me when my Alvl further maths textbooks got very wet, i ironed them all back to a perfect standard. xx

I'm in Year 8 so at my school GCSE options are coming up, and honestly, I am very conflicted about what to choose. I can choose two subjects (giving 11 in total). I was pretty sure I would take drama (because its fun and I manage to scrape good grades in it) and art (because I guess I've always been okay at it), but my textiles teachers are trying to get me to do textiles. It's just me, and it's kind of weird. My teachers talk about my "exceptional talent" despite not having seen any of my actual work, only sketches and it all seems like a ploy just to get more people to do textiles. Art however, mainly just causes me stress, and at GCSE time, that won't be any help. It's got to the stage where I just never draw anymore because I'm always afraid of messing it up. I probably won't be continuing any to A-level. I guess I just want to know, in your experience is textiles actually a useful GCSE to have, or a waste of time? Thanks x

Hello. I took GCSE Graphics. After the introduction of the grades 9-1, they changed the DT courses. Previously, where you get a qualification in Textiles, Graphics of Product Design, NOW, you get a qualificatiton in DT. It is 50% exam and 50% coursework. In the theory you will not only learn about texiles, you will also learn core technical principles incluidng paper, boards, woods, plastics, electronics etc. 20% f the exam is based on these topics. Furthermore, 30% will be worth the specialism you choose, so you will answer questions relating to textiles, wheras I will answer questions relating to papers and boards. In the coursework, you will make your product out of materials within you specalism, so choosing textiles mean you do sewing and use fabrics.

I thought i was choosing GCSE Graphics in Year 9 for my options, but YOUR NOT. It is complusory that you learn other things not related to textiles. Think carefully if you are willing to do this.

Hello. I took GCSE Graphics. After the introduction of the grades 9-1, they changed the DT courses. Previously, where you get a qualification in Textiles, Graphics of Product Design, NOW, you get a qualificatiton in DT. It is 50% exam and 50% coursework. In the theory you will not only learn about texiles, you will also learn core technical principles incluidng paper, boards, woods, plastics, electronics etc. 20% f the exam is based on these topics. Furthermore, 30% will be worth the specialism you choose, so you will answer questions relating to textiles, wheras I will answer questions relating to papers and boards. In the coursework, you will make your product out of materials within you specalism, so choosing textiles mean you do sewing and use fabrics.

I thought i was choosing GCSE Graphics in Year 9 for my options, but YOUR NOT. It is complusory that you learn other things not related to textiles. Think carefully if you are willing to do this.

No I swear they changed it so its art and design: textiles not DT textiles

Wow, I'll look into that. Currently mu school is using the old spec, but have given subjects as seperate options (food, textiles, CDT). Thanks for the heads up, i defo won't be doing it if i have to do CDT

Thanks! Yeah, I'm the same about procrastinating, then wondering why my work isn't perfect . Lol, it IS a useful subject Just out of curiosity, what did you do for your final piece?

Hey so I’m currently in yr11 and I took drama, art, textiles and geography so if you do have any questions about them feel free to ask! My advice when deciding between art and textiles would be to choose art over it! The new textiles course which im the first year to ever do it is so bad, 50% of the grade is for the garment and sketchbook and the other 50% is a written exam which questions you on textiles, dt wood (because it’s now all classed as design technology) so you have to know about wood, textiles and all that rubbish! So although art is a lot of work if you don’t leave it to the last minute you’ll be fine!