CSEC Textiles, Clothing and Fashion Syllabus 2026

Fibres and Textile Fundamentals

• Importance of Textiles

  Students will understand the meaning of textiles and their diverse uses in household and industrial applications.

• Textile Terminology

  Students will learn and define key terms related to textiles, including types of fibres, yarns, fabrics, and their properties.

• Fibre Classification

  Students will be able to classify textile fibres based on their source (natural, man-made) and length (filament, staple).

• Fibre Structure and Properties

  Students will describe the physical structure and properties unique to natural, regenerated, and synthetic fibres.

• Fibre and Fabric Analysis

  Students will conduct preliminary and confirmatory tests to analyze and identify different types of fibres and fabrics.

Yarn and Fabric Construction

• Yarn Construction Methods

  Students will outline methods of yarn construction, defining key terms and identifying various types of yarns.

• Fabric Construction Methods

  Students will outline methods of fabric construction, defining related terms and preparing fabric samples.

• Technological Developments

  Students will discuss technological advancements in fibre and fabric construction, including new fibres and design technologies.

Fabric Selection and Application

• Factors for Fabric Selection

  Students will discuss essential factors to consider when selecting fabrics, such as purpose, cost, and care requirements.

Colour Theory

• Colour Terminology

  Students will learn and explain key terms related to colour, such as hue, saturation, intensity, value, tints, shades, and neutrals.

• The Colour Wheel

  Students will identify and describe primary, secondary, tertiary, complementary, warm, and cool colours on the colour wheel.

Dyeing and Fabric Colouring

• Reasons for Colouring Fabrics

  Students will understand the functional and aesthetic motivations behind colouring fabrics, including enhancing attractiveness and adding value.

• Dye Classification

  Students will classify dyes based on their sources, differentiating between natural dyes from plants and animals, and synthetic dyes.

Colour Application Techniques

• Methods of Colour Application

  Students will differentiate among various methods of colour application to fabrics, including dyeing (resist dyeing), printing, and surface techniques.

• Applying Colours and Designs

Laundry Fundamentals

• Laundry Materials

  Students will distinguish between homemade and commercial laundry materials, describe their uses in laundering and stain removal, and identify factors for choosing appropriate types for different fabrics.

• Laundry Equipment

  This chapter describes various domestic and commercial laundry equipment for washing, drying, and pressing, alongside factors to consider for selection.

Soaps and Detergents

• Properties of Soaps and Detergents

  Students will explain the differing properties of soap and detergent, particularly their reactions in hard and soft water.

• Environmental Impact of Cleaning Agents

  This chapter explores environmental problems such as ecosystem accumulation, effects on flora and fauna, and personal responsibility related to soap and detergent use.

• Soap and Detergent Types

  This chapter differentiates between soaps and detergents by composition and introduces specific types like oxy-soap, low-suds, high-suds, and high-efficiency detergents.

Laundry Processes and Aftercare

Teamwork and Conflict Resolution

• Management Principles

  Explain core management principles including planning, organizing, and communicating, and outline the systematic steps for effective decision-making in personal and social contexts.

• Conflict Resolution

  Evaluate various conflict management approaches like accommodating, avoiding, and collaborating, and identify external personnel and agencies that assist with conflict resolution.

Clothing Selection and Cultural Impact

• Reasons for Clothing Choice

  Explain the functional, social, and psychological motivations behind individuals' decisions when choosing clothing.

• Factors in Clothing Selection

  Discuss the various factors, including budget, occasion, season, age, figure type, fashion, comfort, colour, and culture, that influence clothing selection.

• Caribbean Dress Influences

  Examine how African, European, Chinese, and Indian cultures have historically influenced the style, features, silhouette, and fabrics of Caribbean dress.

Consumerism

• Social and Economic Consumerism

  Explains the fundamental social and economic aspects of consumerism and its impact on individuals and society.

Fashion Fundamentals

• Fashion Terminology

  Defines and clarifies essential vocabulary used in the fashion industry, from basic garment types to industry-specific terms.

• Fashion Concepts

  Explores core concepts of fashion, including its societal influence, economic importance, dynamic nature, and industry structure.

• History of Fashion and Silhouettes

  Traces the historical evolution of fashion, focusing on key silhouettes and their lasting impact on Caribbean styles.

Design Elements and Principles

• Elements of Design

  Identifies and describes the fundamental elements of design, such as color, line, shape, and texture, and their application in fashion and furnishing.

• Principles of Design

Fashion Sketching and Design

• Fashion Elements

  Explain the core elements of fashion design, including silhouette, lines, fabric, colour, pattern, and texture.

• Tools and Measurements

  Classify essential equipment for sketching and pattern drafting, and discuss required measurements for garment design.

• Human Figure Sketching

  Analyze fashion figures and faces, then apply principles to sketch and draw basic human shapes for adults and children.

• Garment Sketching Principles

  Apply manual and computer-aided design principles to create 2-D flat sketches for various garment types and their specific details.

• Design Illusions and Figure Types

  Create different optical illusions using silhouettes, lines, and colours, and design garments for various figure types.

Pattern Development and Adaptation

• Pattern Development and Adaptation

Workplace Safety and Environmental Management

• Health and Safety Standards

  Students will learn and apply health, safety, and environmental standards relevant to the sewing lab and textile workshop.

• Environmental Hazards and First Aid

  Students will identify and manage structural and chemical environmental hazards, and apply basic first aid for common injuries.

Construction Tools, Equipment and Supplies

• Tools, Equipment and Supplies

  Students will discuss the features, functions, and care of all tools, equipment, and supplies used in clothing and soft furnishing construction.

Basic Sewing Techniques

• Stitch Classification and Use

  Students will classify different types of stitches (temporary, permanent, decorative), understand their uses, and apply standards for finished stitches.

• Seams and Seam Finishes

  Students will construct various types of seams and apply appropriate seam finishes according to established rules and guidelines.