Textiles and music?

[OutlookStalking]

Will this be too much coursework do you think? They do do 3 year GCSE's and she is already at grade 4 level and plays in a local orchestra (So not top of the class/ grade 7 level but also able to play).

She doesn't know anything about textiles other than she fancies it -whereas a few in her class have sewing machines already and can knit etc... I think it would be great if she could learn some skills.

I am an ex teacher but know nothing of music or sewing machines so wont be able to support her and aware many of the girls will come from families who can!

One of my daughters did both these, as well as drama, and it wasn't an issue.

Oh wow she did well! And that's reassuring :)

Buy her a Janine or Bernina sewing machine, or Eversewn if your budget is smaller. It’s better to buy a quality machine used than a cheap new machine. Buy from a certified dealer who does repairs in shop. Many quilt shops will offer lessons in sewing for teen girls; yarn shops will offer knitting and/or crochet lessons at low cost if materials are bought in the shop.

Wow I didnt even know there were second hand seeing machine dealers 😳. That's helpful. I'd been thinking of seeing how the course goes and asking the teacher but yes our budget is limited. Thakfulky they csn use the room afterschol/lunchtimes but I know it would be better for her to have one here.

Theres a bernina b33 for 220 on a "singer outlet" is that the kind of thing?

I see they vary in price from a couple of hundred to a thousand 😳.

Is there such a thig as entry level? I have no idea what functions she'd need or if she can have something basic at home and use school ones for harder bits? (See I really have no idea !)

I would hold off buying a sewing machine straight away (but keep an eye on places like Facebook marketplace or your local free cycle/gumtree for a bargain). There will be more to textiles than just sewing- although it will be a big component- things like design development, textile technology, possibly a bit of pattern cutting. Do you have a local Library of Things? They loan basic sewing machines if your DD wants to use one before you take the leap and buy one.

Theyve had quite a good DT rotation (but textiles last time was in a covod break unfortunately and this time has so far been covered by subs as hald the staff is off ill!!!) So she has seen the design side and likes the idea of that. She isn't artistic as such but she is logical - she loves the textile room. She says they have lots of (not sure what you'd call it) - the design process sheets the girls have done displayed on the walls outside the room so you do see that side. She enjoyed her graphics project but didnt want to take that and I think that had stages of design as part of it. It is definitely the DT GCSE and not the art one.

I would have no idea what to look for on facebook as to what was worth buying or how to know it works! I think I will have to wait until she knows more or I might ask on mumsnet again once she starts maybe?

Loan one sounds amazing - I've not seen that but will look out!

Just came in here to say that my daughter did textiles GCSE and A Level and I never bought her a sewing machine as she did all her actual sewing work at school using the big machines which took no time at all, so I would hold off buying one for now until you know she actually needs one at home!

I've taught textiles at GCSE - none of my students had machines at home, there's not as much making as you would think in the course (although that varies from exam board to exam board).

Oh wow that's really interesting, thankyou. I think she wants one but its good to know we can hold off!

She has fairly affluent friends who are already good music grades/sew so although excited about the courses I think is feeling on the back foot a bit.

Please forgive me. I’d no more keep house without a sewing machine than without a fridge. In front of the machine is my happy place:-)

I agree with not buying a machine yet, but if you do (and it will probably be on her Xmas list) go to a dealer and actually try them out.

A good shop will ask questions and suggest a suitable machine.

I'm about to invest in a good machine but I have made clothes with a hobby craft £40 midi machine.

It looks like a toy and has no bells and whistles but will do a few stiches.

They currently have a mini machine for £16.50!

I'm coming at this from a sewer's point of view not a teacher but if your DD wants to actually learn to sew as well as do the GCSE then a £200-£300 machine could be an investment that you will get back if she makes her own prom dress.

Sassh that sounds a good idea! I dont know if she'd know yet what she'd want from a machine but after a term might be clearer!

(If someone could just extend my house so we have place for the machine too please... 🤣)

From a music perspective (I'm a secondary music teacher), grade 4 at the start of a 3year GCSE is pretty much perfect. It's usually students who are of a good grade 5/6 by the end of the course who get the 8s and 9s at GCSE. There isn't a whole lot ot point in using a piece harder than grade 5 ish for the performance element for example and it is far better to play a grade 4 piece really well than it is to play a grade 5 piece and make mistakes. You don't mention what her theory knowledge is like, but I'd encourage studying music theory (ideally to grade 5) to support the exam paper and composition aspects. Its not something to stress over. Grade 4 instrumentalist at the start of a 3year course is an ideal candidate.

Thankyou. She's half heartedly working through a grade 3 theory book at the moment. In september she can access some grade 4/5 theory classes as part of the saturday orchestra shes in. I can't help her with it at all! I know its best to get it out the way so hopefully that will help!