A Level Fashion & Textiles Topics by Exam Board: Full List

If you’re studying A Level Fashion & Textiles, it is important to understand exactly which topics you need to revise.

This subject sits within A Level Design & Technology, but focuses on fashion design, textiles, materials, and the processes used to create clothing and fabric products. You will study both theory and practical design skills, including how products are developed from idea to final outcome.

This guide gives you a clear, specification-led overview of all A Level Fashion & Textiles topics across the main exam boards. You can use it to check your course content, plan revision, and make sure you are fully prepared for your exams.

Key Takeaways

• A Level Fashion & Textiles is part of Design & Technology, combining theory with practical design and making skills

• Each exam board covers similar A Level Fashion & Textiles topics, but structure and assessment differ

• Understanding the full list of topics helps you plan revision and avoid missing key content

• You can use topic lists to track progress, identify weak areas, and improve exam performance

Why It's Important to Know Your Exam Board

Before you start revising, you need to know which exam board you are studying.

Although A Level Fashion & Textiles courses share similar ideas, such as design, materials, and manufacturing, the exact A Level Fashion & Textiles topics and exam structure vary between boards. Some specifications focus more on technical textile knowledge, while others take a broader design and technology approach. The balance between written exams and coursework can also differ.

If you revise from the wrong specification, you risk missing key content or spending time on topics that will not be assessed. This can affect both your confidence and your exam performance.

To stay on track, make sure you are using the correct specification for your course and focusing only on the topics that apply to your exam board.

If you’re considering opting for the subject, explore our guide explaining what A Level Fashion & Textiles is.

AQA A Level Fashion & Textiles Topics (7562)

AQA (opens in a new tab) offers A Level Fashion & Textiles as a dedicated qualification (7562) within Design & Technology.

The course is split into:

• Technical principles

• Designing and making principles

Technical Principles

These topics focus on the properties, performance, and construction of textiles.

Materials and their applications

• Selecting appropriate textile materials for specific uses

• Physical and mechanical properties of fibres and fabrics

• Factors affecting material choice:

  • function

  • aesthetics

  • cost

  • manufacture and disposal

Classification of fibres

• Natural fibres:

  • plant (e.g. cotton, linen)

  • animal (e.g. wool, silk)

  • hair fibres (e.g. cashmere)

• Manufactured fibres:

  • regenerated (e.g. viscose, lyocell)

• Synthetic fibres:

  • polyester, nylon, acrylic

• Modern and smart materials:

  • microfibres

  • nanofibres

  • phase-changing materials

  • photochromic materials 

Performance characteristics of fibres and yarns

• Fibre properties:

  • absorbency

  • strength

  • elasticity

  • thermal insulation

  • flammability

  • lustre and handle

• Fibre structure and formation

• Yarn construction:

  • staple and filament yarns

  • single and plied yarns

  • yarn twist and its effect on performance

• Fancy and textured yarns (e.g. bouclé, chenille)

Fibre and yarn production

• Fibre manufacturing processes:

  • wet spinning

  • melt spinning

• Yarn production methods

• Blends and mixtures:

  • reasons for blending fibres

  • production of blended yarns

Fabric construction

• Woven fabrics:

  • plain weave

  • twill

  • satin

• Knitted fabrics:

  • weft knitting

  • warp knitting

• Non-woven fabrics:

  • felt

  • bonded fabrics

Textile finishes and fabric effects

• Mechanical finishes

• Chemical finishes

• Decorative and functional effects:

  • crêpe

  • crinkle

  • metallic fibres

  • multicoloured dye effects

Testing and investigating textiles

• Testing methods:

  • flammability

  • crease resistance

  • shrink resistance

  • colour fastness

  • strength

  • pilling

• Interpreting test results

• Quality control in textile production

Designing and Making Principles

These topics focus on how textile products are designed, developed, and evaluated.

Design processes and development

• Iterative design process

• Identifying user needs and design contexts

• Writing design briefs and specifications

• Research methods (primary and secondary)

Generating and developing ideas

• Creative design techniques

• Modelling and prototyping

• Use of toiles and sampling

• Refining and improving designs

Design communication

• Freehand sketching

• Technical drawings

• CAD and digital design tools

• Presentation techniques

Manufacturing and production

• Scales of production:

  • one-off

  • batch

  • mass production

• Industrial manufacturing processes

• Quality assurance and control

Evaluation and testing

• Testing products against specifications

• Analysing strengths and weaknesses

• Improving designs based on feedback

Wider issues in design

• Sustainability and environmental impact

• Ethical considerations

• Social and cultural influences on design

• Enterprise and marketing in product development

Assessment Structure (AQA)

Eduqas A Level Fashion & Textiles Topics 

Eduqas (opens in a new tab) offers Fashion & Textiles through A Level Design & Technology, where you follow the fashion and textiles route.

Content is divided into technical principles and designing and making principles organised across seven key areas.

1. Designing and Innovation

These topics focus on how textile products are designed and developed.

• Principles of designing:

  • generating and developing ideas

  • aesthetic considerations

  • fitness for purpose

  • writing design specifications (fabric, product, garment)

• Design processes:

  • iterative and creative approaches

• Communication of ideas:

  • sketching, modelling, CAD, toiles

• Research techniques:

  • primary and secondary research

  • using sources such as fashion shows, media, and databases

• Problem analysis:

  • identifying user needs, wants, and values

  • developing design briefs and specifications

• Innovation:

  • influence of designers, trends, and fashion movements

  • creative problem-solving strategies

2. Materials and Components

These topics focus on textile materials and their properties.

• Textile materials and their applications

• Working characteristics of materials

• Performance properties of fibres and fabrics

• Modern materials and technologies

• Selection of appropriate materials for specific uses

• Finishes applied to textiles

• Components used in textile products

• Safe handling and use of materials

3. Processes

These topics cover how textile products are made.

• Hand manufacturing methods

• Machine manufacturing methods

• Combining and forming materials

• Computer-aided manufacture (CAM)

• Use of tools and equipment

• Working with textile materials in practical contexts

4. Industrial and Commercial Practice

These topics focus on how products are made in industry.

• Manufacturing industries and systems

• Stages of production

• Detailed manufacturing methods

• Quality control systems

• Management systems in production

• Industrial working practices and safety

5. Product Analysis and Systems

These topics focus on understanding and evaluating textile products.

• Analysing existing products

• Form and function in design

• Trends and influences on fashion and textiles

• Intellectual property and standards

• Systems and sub-systems in products

• Use of ICT in design and manufacture

• Evaluating product performance and design decisions

6. Human Responsibility

These topics focus on ethical and environmental issues.

• Sustainability in textile production

• Environmental impact of materials and processes

• Ethical considerations in design

• Risk assessment and safe working practices

• Responsibilities to users and consumers

• Quality and standards in products and processes

7. Public Interaction

These topics focus on the relationship between products and users.

• Market research and consumer needs

• Innovation in the marketplace

• Product marketing and promotion

• Product life cycle and diffusion

• Evaluating market success

• Understanding client and user requirements

Assessment Structure (Eduqas)

OCR A Level Fashion & Textiles Topics (H405)

OCR (opens in a new tab) offers Fashion & Textiles as an endorsed pathway (H405) within A Level Design & Technology.

The course is structured around nine core topic areas, which are used across both exam papers and the NEA.

1. Identifying Requirements

These topics focus on understanding the design context and user needs.

• Exploring design contexts:

  • environment and surroundings

  • user requirements

  • market and economic factors

• Identifying design opportunities

• Stakeholder analysis:

  • user-centred design

  • market research methods

  • focus groups and observations

• Enterprise and innovation in product development

2. Learning from Existing Products and Practice

You will focus on analysing products to inform design decisions.

• Analysing existing textile products

• Evaluating:

  • materials and components

  • construction methods

  • functionality and performance

• Identifying strengths, weaknesses, and improvements

• Using product analysis to inform design ideas

3. Implications of Wider Issues

These topics cover the impact of design in real-world contexts.

• Environmental impact of textile production

• Social and cultural influences on fashion

• Ethical considerations in design

• Sustainability and responsible design

• Economic and commercial factors

4. Design Thinking and Communication

These topics are about generating and communicating ideas.

• Iterative design process (explore, create, evaluate)

• Creative thinking and problem solving

• Generating and developing design ideas

• Communication methods:

  • sketching

  • modelling

  • CAD and digital tools

• Presenting and justifying design decisions

5. Material Considerations

These topics focus on textile materials and their selection.

• Properties of textile materials

• Performance characteristics of fibres and fabrics

• Selecting appropriate materials for specific uses

• Considering aesthetics, function, and durability

• Working with multiple materials

6. Technical Understanding

These topics explore how materials and processes affect products.

• Understanding textile construction methods

• How material properties affect performance

• Relationship between design, materials, and function

• Applying technical knowledge to design decisions

7. Manufacturing Processes and Techniques

These topics cover how products are made.

• Manufacturing processes in textiles

• Prototyping and model making

• Industrial production methods

• Use of tools, equipment, and machinery

• Quality control in production

8. Viability of Design Solutions

These topics focus on whether a design can be successfully produced.

• Costing and budgeting

• Production methods and scalability

• Commercial viability of products

• Evaluating feasibility of design solutions

• Considering market success

9. Health and Safety

These topics are about safe design and production.

• Risk assessment in design and manufacture

• Safe working practices

• Legal and regulatory requirements

• Ensuring safety for users and manufacturers

Assessment Structure (OCR)

How to Use Topic Lists for Revision

A clear topic list is one of the most useful revision tools you have. It helps you stay organised and makes sure you cover everything that could appear in your exam.

1. Turn Topics into a Revision Plan

Start by breaking the full topic list into smaller sections. Then:

• Assign topics to specific days or weeks

• Mix theory topics with practical or design-based content

• Leave time for revision and practice closer to the exam

This helps you avoid last-minute cramming and ensures balanced coverage.

2. Identify Your Weak Areas

Go through each topic and ask yourself:

• Do I understand this fully?

• Can I explain it clearly?

• Could I apply it in an exam question?

You can use a simple traffic lights system where green means you’re fully confident, amber means you need more practice and revision time, and red indicates you’re not yet confident you can answer exam questions on the topic.

Then resist the temptation to go over ‘green’ topics and instead focus your revision time on mastering areas where you need to improve.

3. Link Topics to Exam Papers

Not all topics appear in the same way in exams. Make sure you:

• Revise technical knowledge for written papers

• Practise applying knowledge to design scenarios

• Prepare for extended answers that require explanation and evaluation

For example:

• Materials, fibres, and processes often appear in short and structured questions

• Design and development topics are often tested in longer, applied questions

4. Use Active Revision Methods

Avoid just reading notes. Instead:

• Create flashcards for key terms (for example, fibre types or fabric finishes)

• Practise past papers and exam questions

• Sketch design ideas and label them

• Explain processes out loud as if teaching someone else

Active revision methods improve recall and help you apply your knowledge in the exam.

5. Track Your Progress

Keep checking back against the topic list:

• Tick off topics you have revised

• Revisit weaker areas regularly

• Test yourself under timed conditions

This keeps your revision focused and shows you how much progress you are making.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to revise all A Level Fashion & Textiles topics for the exam?

Yes. You are expected to understand the full specification for your exam board.

Even if some topics appear more often than others, any part of the course could be tested. Skipping topics can leave gaps in your knowledge and limit your marks.

Are these topics the same across all exam boards?

Not exactly.

Most exam boards cover similar core ideas. However, the way topics are organised and assessed can differ. Always revise using your own exam board’s specification.

How do I know which topics I struggle with most?

Use your topic list alongside past paper results, feedback from your teacher, and results from self-testing.

If you consistently lose marks on certain topics, those should become your priority in revision.

Do all topics come up in every exam paper?

No. Each exam paper focuses on different areas of the course. Some topics may appear more frequently, but there is no fixed pattern.

This is why it is important to revise the full topic list rather than trying to predict questions.

Final Thoughts

Understanding your full list of A Level Fashion & Textiles topics is the first step towards effective revision.

It gives you a clear structure, helps you stay organised, and ensures you do not miss any important content. When you combine this with regular practice and focused revision, you will be in a much stronger position going into your exams.

Use your topic list as a checklist, a revision planner, and a progress tracker. If you keep coming back to it throughout your course, it will help you stay on track and feel more confident as your exams approach.

References:

• AQA | A Level Fashion & Textiles | Course Specification (opens in a new tab)

• Eduqas | A Level Design & Technology Specification (opens in a new tab)

• OCR | Specification - A Level GCE Design and Technology - H404-H406 (opens in a new tab)