Cambridge A Level Design and Textiles 9631 — 2021 Oct/Nov Paper 3 · Variant 0
9631/30/O/N/21 · 5 questions · 100 marks · ≈113 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper4 pages
Mark scheme
No mark scheme is in the library for this paper.
Questions as text
Q1 · Comfortable leisure wear is popular
1 Comfortable leisure wear is popular. (a) Describe three factors that designers need to consider when choosing fabrics for leisure wear. [6] (b) Assess suitable finishes that can be used on fabrics for leisure wear to improve appearance and handle. [10] (c) Discuss whether environmental issues affect how consumers care for leisure wear, with particular reference to laundering and aftercare. [9] [Total: 25]
Q2 · In the fashion industry, specifications are important
2 In the fashion industry, specifications are important. (a) (i) State what is meant by ‘product specification’. [3] (ii) Explain four points a manufacturer needs to consider when planning the efficient production of a fashion top. [8] (b) Sketch a design suitable for a repeat pattern which can be used on a hemline for a dress. Explain why your design is suitable for a repeat pattern. [3] (c) Assess the range of creative techniques available to a manufacturer when producing a decorative hemline on a dress. Include examples of specific fabrics and techniques. [11] [Total: 25]
Q3 · Yarns and fabrics may be used on evening dresses
3 Yarns and fabrics may be used on evening dresses. (a) Assess the range of techniques available to create texture for a decorative panel on an evening dress. Include sketches and suitable yarns/fabrics to support your answer. [12] (b) Discuss the choice, suitability and application of closures/fastenings available when constructing evening dresses. [13] [Total: 25]
Q4 · It is important to select appropriate stitches and fabrics for fashion garments
4 It is important to select appropriate stitches and fabrics for fashion garments. (a) Compare the types and uses of machine stitches available to manufacturers of fashion garments. Include examples to support your answer. [12] (b) Discuss the importance of safety specification standards in relation to fabrics for workwear. [13] [Total: 25]
Q5 · Embellishment/Decoration of fabrics at home is popular
5 Embellishment/Decoration of fabrics at home is popular. (a) Explain how vanishing fabrics can be used in machine embroidery to enhance a wall hanging. You may include sketches to support your answer. [7] (b) Assess the types of craft printing that would be suitable to produce one metre of fabric, which could later be made into a bag. Include examples to support your answer. [12] (c) Compare the benefits of using commercial dry cleaning and hand washing when cleaning a wall hanging. [6] [Total: 25] Fig. 1
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2021 Oct/Nov, Paper 3 · Variant 0. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.