Course Title: Operate a weaving loom

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2016

Course Code: MANU7211C

Course Title: Operate a weaving loom

School: 350T Fashion & Textiles

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C4218 - Certificate IV in Textile Design and Development

Course Contact: Peter Bonnell

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9171

Course Contact Email: peter.bonnell@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Rachel Halton

rachel.halton@rmit.edu.au

 

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Nil

Course Description

This course is designed to give you the skills and knowledge required to operate a loom. 

This course is delivered concurrently with VART 5907C Produce Woven Textile Samples.
 

Please ensure you are enrolled in both.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

LMTTX2006B Operate a weaving loom

Element:

Assist in set-up and loading of weaving loom

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Loom settings are checked against product requirements.

1.2 Yarns are identified, checked and tied into the loom according to manufacturer specifications.
1.3 Non-conforming materials are reported.
1.4 Area around loom is kept clean during setting and loading.

Element:

Check product quality

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Weaving loom is started and stopped according to manufacturer requirements and OHS practices.

2.2 Loom is monitored to ensure correct operation.
2.3 Waste is sorted.
2.4 Cleaning of area is completed to ensure work environment is maintained in a safe productive manner.
2.5 Minor product process and machine faults are identified and corrected where necessary to meet specified requirements, and are reported.
2.6 Major machine faults are reported.

Element:

Complete weaving process

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Product is checked against quality standards.

3.2 Product is assessed for faults and non-conformances.
3.3 Product faults are rectified or reported.

Element:

Operate and monitor weaving loom

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Product is unloaded or removed according to manufacturer specifications.

4.2 Product is despatched to next process.
4.3 Cleaning of area is completed to ensure work environment is maintained in a safe and productive manner.
4.4 Production records and other documentation are accurately completed.


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

This is a studio based course covering both theory and practical aspects of operating a weaving loom. 
Individual and group projects will be undertaken in a fully equipped weaving studio using both
sample and production dobby looms, the studio is a simulated industry environment.


Teaching Schedule

Project Overview

Project 1 / Colour blanket 
During the course of this six week project, you will explore fundamental weave structures &
learn new techniques to develop woven design ideas through experimentation with the elements of design, the use of colour, changes in fibre types, texture, size, shape and multiple weft techniques. Throughout the semester students are encouraged to explore a range of approaches, both traditional and experimental to achieve highly personalised and individual outcomes.

WEEK 1 Overview of course module. 
Prepare warp for PROJECT 1 COLOUR BLANKET
Introduction to winding a warp for the first project, Colour Blanket. Students make a selection of colours for warp yarns and class tuition includes instruction on how to wind a warp, and calculations to guide preparation. Tuition includes: Correct tension, preparation of the cross, changing colours

Introduction to woven fabrics and design, materials and equipment.
The first class involves an introduction to woven fabrics, which includes an activity analysing commercial fabric samples and yarns for weaving, a materials & equipment briefing, and an overview of the health and safety guidelines for the Weave Studio. An introduction is also included for the Library and Research Materials, Magazines/Catalogues etc. This will assist you to get the most from the semester’s study.

WEEK 2 PROJECT 1 COLOUR BLANKET
Preparing the Loom for Weaving
Class instruction includes putting the warp onto the loom, how to use the raddle, cross sticks, how to thread the heddles, Sleying a Reed, Tie-on, and beginning weaving.  Theory: This class includes the beginning stage of reading a Weave Draft - Threading

WEEK 3 PROJECT 1 COLOUR BLANKET 
Producing woven samples (plain weave, basketweave)
Class instruction includes preparing the warp for weaving, preparing weft yarns, shuttles, laying in the waste yarn and beginning weaving (plain weave and Basketweave).   Theory: This class includes the beginning stage of reading a Weave Draft – Tie-up.

WEEK 4 PROJECT 1 COLOUR BLANKET 
Producing woven samples (twills)
Class instruction includes reading tie-ups for alternate weave structures (twills) and using a combination of weft yarns to vary the outcomes.

WEEK 5 PROJECT 1 COLOUR BLANKET 
Producing woven samples (experimental)
Weave a series of weaves exploring materials & yarns to create changes to surface quality.
Class instruction includes tuition on finishing of samples

WEEK 6 PROJECT 1 COLOUR BLANKET 
Producing woven samples (personalised)
In this class students are encouraged to explore a range of approaches, both traditional and experimental to achieve highly personalised and individual outcomes.

WEEK 7 Presentation of Samples / Technical File & completion of Observational Checklist

WEEK 8
Feedback and reflection.


Project Overview
Project 2 / Design & Respond
During the course of this six week project, you will expand upon the fundamental weave structures developed in the first six weeks. You are asked to respond to the design resources developed & begin to explore individual approaches to creating woven design ideas through experimentation with the elements of design, the use of colour, changes in fibre types, texture, size, shape and more complex weaving techniques. During this project you are encouraged to explore approaches to using materials and interpreting design resources to achieve highly personalised and individual outcomes. An experimental approach is encouraged.

WEEK 9 
The class briefing will consist of discussions around the design elements and how they can be responded to from a woven design perspective. You are encouraged to take part in group work to explore imagery and develop design ideas, (exercises will be written & visual). You are encouraged to keep a visual sketchbook alongside each of your weave ideas to encourage free thinking and record responses. You are encouraged to develop weave effects by responding to and reflecting on textile designs elements, concepts and materials. Resources for design inspiration includes: WGSN, photographs, croquis, design work, sketches in visual diary, pinterest sourced imagery etc.

Class tuition will encourage experimentation with blended warp yarns, and a class tutorial will include how to balance the ‘sett’ for different warp yarns. 
Activity: You will Prepare warp and dress loom .

WEEK 10 
Class tuition will encourage experimentation with weft materials, an in class tutorial will include how to respond to design imagery by exploring the design principles and elements. You are encouraged to continue to develop ideas through the Visual sketchbook.

WEEK 11
Class time is used to respond to design imagery and develop a range of samples.

WEEK 12
Class time is used to respond to design imagery and develop a range of samples.

WEEK 13
Class time is used to respond to design imagery and develop a range of samples.

WEEK 14
Class tuition includes finishing techniques for presentation of woven swatches.

WEEK 15
Assessment: Produce a Range of Technical Samples
Students present Folio of Samples / Observational Checklist / Technical File and submit for peer feedback and review.

WEEK 16
Feedback on all assessments


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner. Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including recording all technical documentation in a workbook and checklists completed by the class teacher during class exercises. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher. All work must be submitted by the due date.


Assessment Tasks

Technical File: Record all class handouts, notes taken by students during theory classes and all documentation of processes and technical specifications in a workbook. This workbook is submitted at assessment periods during the Term and again at the end of Term (See Weekly Schedule).

Observational Checklist: Students are observed during classes to ensure learning tasks are completed. Feedback is provided from the class teacher. Students are monitored throughout the Term on their knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety requirements of the weave studio.

Graded for Competency Only; CA/NYC

Note: Further detail regarding Competency and Graded Assessment of these tasks will be provided in class.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

This course is run in a workshop environment, to comply with Occupational Health & Safety standards you  are required to wear sturdy , fully covered footwear.

This course is delivered concurrently with the unit Produce Woven Textile Samples  VART5907C
Learning Activities undertaken during Produce Woven Textile Samples will contribute to the assessment for this unit.
Further details will be provided by your class teacher in your first session.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview