Latest News

With pins, patterns and personalities in hand, students are diving head-first into the world of fabric, fashion, and function. The goal? To design, construct, and evaluate their very own textile item — which could be pyjama shorts, long pants, casual skirts, or even rugby-style shorts. For many, it's their first foray into sewing and design, but you wouldn’t know it from the energy and excitement filling the classrooms.

“It’s not just about making pyjamas,” says one Year 8 student with a grin. “It’s about expressing who you are, choosing a design that fits your vibe, and then actually learning how to make it real. I didn’t think sewing would be this fun — or this challenging!”

Guided by their semester-long workbook The Weekend — which is used in class and printed only as needed — students have explored everything from fibre properties to fashion illustration and sourcing visual inspiration. Their portfolios are filled with mood boards, annotated croquis sketches, and colourful swatches of fabric that speak to their individuality.

“From western-inspired patterns to bold tropical prints, every design tells a story,” says Ce-Anne Brennan, the Year 8 Textiles teacher.

“It’s a joy to see the students interpreting their inspirations so personally. Some boys are drawing from their favourite sports teams and fishing trips, incorporating team colours and rugged, outdoor patterns into their rugby shorts — it’s a great blend of creativity and identity.”

A highlight of the unit is the much-anticipated excursion to Spotlight, where students select their fabric and notions. From there, it's a journey of careful cutting, pinning, and stitching as they bring their visions to life using the sewing machine — a skill many are encountering for the first time.

By Week 5 of Term 2, students will submit not only their finished textile item, but also a comprehensive portfolio that documents their design journey. With costing tables, progressive evaluations, fabric research and computer-generated swing tags, the task mirrors a real-world fashion design process — merging creativity with critical thinking and planning.

Teachers have praised the enthusiasm and growth on display. “This course is about more than just sewing," said one teacher. “It builds resilience, patience, and independence. When students complete a garment they designed themselves, it gives them a huge sense of accomplishment.”

A mid-term take-home component of The Weekend workbook allows students to reflect further on textile theory, including fibre types and weave structures, continuing to deepen their understanding in their own time.

As assessment week approaches, students are focused on the finish line — and proud of how far they’ve come. As one student laughed, “I’m not going to be on Project Runway just yet… but I know what a bobbin is, and I made my own pencil case — that’s a win!”

Stay tuned — we can’t wait to see the final runway of weekend-ready style, stitched by Calrossy’s newest designers.