FUTURE THREADS - CAREERS IN PRINTED TEXTILES

Description

Part of the FUTURE THREADS series from Textiles Skills Centre, this resource explores the exciting world of Printed Textiles through industry insight, creative practice, and real career pathways.

FUTURE THREADS is a series of career-led digital resources for textiles education, funded by All Saints Educational Trust and Merchant Taylors’ Foundation, with support from leading industry and education partners.

Designed for secondary classrooms, these engaging, curriculum-aligned video lessons bring textiles to life through real-world case studies, contemporary applications, and inspiring interviews with professionals working within the PRINT INDUSTRY.

This Printed Textiles resource helps students discover how print is used across interiors, product design, digital and commercial textiles, while exploring creative processes, materials, sustainability, and career opportunities within the sector.

Supporting teachers with downloadable tasks, information sheets, and industry-informed content, the resource helps connect classroom learning directly to future pathways and the evolving world of textiles today.

RESOURCE AIMS

PRINTED TEXTILES RESOURSE CONTENT:

This resource explores the exciting world of printed textiles through a series of practical techniques, industry insights, and creative activities that can be delivered in the classroom, studio, or at home. Designed to support GCSE/A Level Design & Technology and Art & Design, the resource combines engaging video interviews, hands-on demonstrations, information sheets, and creative tasks to help students develop technical skills while exploring contemporary textiles practice and career pathways within the print industry.

The RESOURCE INCLUDES:

Creative Tasks & Information Sheets
Downloadable guides, extension activities, and supporting resources linked to each task and industry focus.

COURSE DEVELOPER – Nicky Simpson BA (Hons) Textiles Design

This FUTURE THREADS resource has been developed by Nicky Simpson, a highly experienced textiles educator, course developer, and contemporary textiles artist specialising in printed and surface textiles.

Nicky has over 12 years’ teaching experience, including leading Fashion & Textiles within a secondary school in Kent, where she taught a wide range of qualifications including GCSE and A Level Art & Design Textiles, GCSE and A Level Design & Technology, and BTEC Level 3 Fashion. Alongside textiles, she has also taught Art, Graphics, and Food at KS3 level.

Before moving into education, Nicky worked as a Senior Director for a London-based fashion print agency, designing original prints and developing seasonal collections for the international fashion market. This strong industry background brings valuable real-world knowledge and contemporary practice into her teaching and resource development.

For the past nine years, Nicky has worked as a textiles consultant for Textiles Skills Centre, developing and delivering both online and face-to-face workshops, resources, and mentoring programmes for teachers and creatives across the UK. She has also delivered workshops for major events and organisations including the Festival of Quilts, the Knit & Stitch Shows, and the National Trust.

Nicky’s own creative practice combines print, machine and hand embroidery, and mixed-media techniques, often inspired by the flora and textures of the British countryside. Through FUTURE THREADS, she is passionate about helping teachers and students connect textiles education with contemporary industry, creativity, and future careers.