You need to buy materials: Fabrics, threads, dyes, printing materials, and haberdashery supplies cost money. Schools provide some basics, but you'll need additional materials for your projects.

It's time-intensive: Textile work is labour-intensive – designing, sampling, printing, dyeing, stitching, constructing. Hand processes take significant time.

Some sewing ability helps: While you don't need to be expert, basic hand and machine sewing skills are useful. You'll develop them, but starting with some ability helps.

Digital skills matter: Many textile designers now use digital tools for pattern design and digital printing. Software skills (Photoshop, Illustrator) are increasingly important.

It's not just making things: You'll research textile and fashion history, analyse designers' work, understand cultural contexts, and write about your process.

Coursework pressure is constant: Unlike subjects with final exams, Textile Design is ongoing coursework throughout two years. You need consistent effort and organisation.

🎓 Some universities don't rate it highly: Very competitive universities sometimes see Art & Design subjects as less rigorous than traditional academics. Combine with academic subjects to keep top university options open.