A selection of Year 9 pupils passed a very productive few hours before half term when they spent the day in the textiles room designing and making their own textile product.

Each pupil learnt how to create a design on fabric using batik, which is a wax resist dying technique. They then enhanced their design further using hand quilting and experimental surface decoration. Each pupils’ design was then transformed into a bag or a cushion, which they could take home.

Several pupils remarked how quickly the time flew by and how amazing it was that in one day they had not only learnt so many skills but they’d also gone home with a finished product!

They were clearly proud of their colourful bags – not surprising considering how good they looked. The general consensus around the table was that sewing in a group whilst chatting to friends is a very enjoyable and therapeutic pastime.