Burnside High School Burnside High School

NCEA Level 1 Fashion Design Technology

11TTT
Course Description Recommended Prior Learning

An interest in Fashion and Textiles.

Year 11 Fashion Design Technology – Level 1 (Materials and Processing Technology)

In this exciting course, students will complete two creative sewing projects throughout the year and work towards an external NCEA assessment.

Students will get hands-on experience using a wide range of modern tools and equipment, including:

  • Fashion design software
  • Laser cutter
  • Cricut cutting machine
  • Computer-guided embroidery
  • Screen printing
  • Industrial-quality sewing machines

The course is a great introduction to the new NCEA Achievement Standards. Students will learn about fashion design elements and principles, as well as pattern drafting and basic alterations, to bring their own ideas to life and express their personal style.

A key focus of the course is learning about tikanga Māori and traditional Pacific practices in fashion design. Students explore how different cultures influence design and how textiles connect with people, hapū, and iwi. This includes values such as:

  • Kotahitanga (unity)
  • Whanaungatanga (relationships)
  • Manaakitanga (care and respect)
  • Kaitiakitanga (guardianship)
  • As well as Pacific values like aloha, vā, fonua, and vaka

To enrich their learning, students have opportunities to showcase their creativity in competitions and through exciting field trips, such as:

  • TOI Wearable Arts (Christchurch)
  • Walk the Line – part of NZ Fashion Week (Auckland)
  • HETTANZ Fashion Awards (Wellington – garments are posted for judging)

These experiences help students gain real-world insight, learn from fashion industry professionals, and build confidence in presenting their work.

Up to 16 credits are available from a selection of Achievement Standards.

NCEA Level 1

There are career opportunities in all fields of clothing and related industries for example, Apparel and Textile design, Interior design or in the Technology Industry through product development and project management.

Metropol magazine featuring ex-BHS student Judd Cargin is now designing menswear for the fashion label I Love Ugly.


*No prior experience required



Learning Areas:

Technology


Pathway

NCEA Level 2 Fashion Design Technology

Career Pathways

Market Research Analyst, Printer, Private Teacher/Tutor, Print Finisher, Secondary School Teacher, Textile Process Operator, Garment Technician, Cutter, Fashion Designer, Sewing Machinist, Graphic Designer, Interior Designer, Industrial Designer, Conservator, Curator, Diversional and Recreational Therapist, Graphic Pre-press Worker, Visual Merchandiser, Engineering Machinist, Exhibition and Collections Technician, Artist, Tailor/Dressmaker



			
					
					Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
										
There is a materials cost of $80, which covers items such as toile fabric, interfacings, thread, small components like zips, buttons, eyelets, and other notions. These are provided by the school and used for making practice (toile) garments, sampling stitches, seams, and construction techniques before working on the final garment.



Students will need to supply their fabric for their final garments. This typically costs between $30 - $40 per garment, depending on the chosen fabric and design, so the cost can vary.



Additionally, students will need to purchase a sewing pattern, either from a physical store or an online source.