Achieve the Imagination of the Child through a Child-led of Printing Directly on the Fabric Using a Three-Dimensional Printer

Where children are engaged in design, whether in the classroom or participatory design, the process often involves adults to a greater or lesser extent. Adult involvement has been shown to have a negative influence on children’s creative ability in design. This study introduces an independent child-led approach to design by allowing children to print embroidered designs onto textiles using carefully selected technology and materials that do require adult involvement and are suitable for use by children. The approach allows children the opportunity to realise their imaginations without adult impediment and create within a new design paradigm. Using focus groups, the study reveals that children welcome the opportunity to design independently from adults and that such independence leads to motivation and a sense of increased creativity