Textile Art Piece Challenge (TAP) 2026
The 2026 TEA Textile Art Piece (TAP) Challenge sponsored by Western Sewing Machine Services offers two design briefs. This allows teachers of Technology Mandatory the opportunity to incorporate this highly successful Stage 5 design project into their Stage 4 programs.
The theme for 2026 is…… A Stitch in Time
See the guidelines below or download them here.
General guidelines
- may be a hanging art quilt, decorative mat, a sculpture, an ornament, a cushion cover, etc.
- should be no larger than a volume equivalent to 40cm x 40cm x 5cm
- include a minimum of 75% textile materials
- incorporate at least 3 decorative techniques and demonstrate creativity in design and construction
- able to be easily displayed on a wall or table
- respect Indigenous and cultural protocols
- each school may enter a maximum of two (2) entries for each of Stage 4 and Stage 5
Stage 4 Requirements
Stage 4 Design Brief 2026:
For a textile project you are involved in, use a creative interpretation of the theme A Stitch in Time to design and apply an appropriate decorative element. The completed piece will demonstrate your understanding of the characteristics and properties of the materials that you have chosen to use. A minimum of 75% of the selected materials must be textiles.
Stage 4 – Syllabus Links
Delivery of this project as a unit could address the following cross curriculum and general capabilities:
CC – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
CC – Sustainability
GC – Critical and creative thinking
GC – Intercultural understanding
Stage 4 – Syllabus Outcomes
Delivery of this project as a unit could address the following syllabus outcomes:
TE4-1DP designs, communicates and evaluates innovative ideas and creative solutions to authentic problems or opportunities
TE4-2DP plans and manages the production of designed solutions
TE4-3DP selects and safely applies a broad range of tools, materials and processes in the production of quality projects
TE4-9MA investigates how the characteristics and properties of tools, materials and processes affect their use in designed solutions
Stage 5 Requirements
Stage 5 Design Brief 2026:
Design and produce a textile art piece that brings the viewer to an experience of A Stitch in Time The completed textile art piece will reflect your inspiration and creativity, and demonstrate your competence in textile construction and surface decoration. Your design should demonstrate a variety of textile construction, fabric manipulation, colouration and/or embellishment techniques. A minimum of 75% of the selected materials must be textiles.
Stage 5 – Syllabus Links
Delivery of this project as a unit could address the following cross curriculum and general capabilities:
CC – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
CC – Sustainability
GC – Critical and creative thinking
GC – Intercultural understanding
Stage 5 – Syllabus Outcomes
Delivery of this project as a unit could address the following syllabus outcomes:
TEX 5-5 investigates and applies methods of colouration and decoration for a range of textile items
TEX 5-6 analyses the influence of historical, cultural and contemporary perspectives on textile design, construction and use
TEX 5-9 critically selects and creatively manipulates a range of textile materials to produce quality textile items
TEX 5-10 selects appropriate techniques and uses equipment safely in the production of quality textile projects
TEX 5-11 demonstrates competence in the production of textile projects to completion
How to Enter
Only online entry forms will be accepted for the TAP competition. Please follow the link below, or find the link on the TEA website and social media (Facebook and Instagram pages).
Complete an online entry form for each student selected to enter the challenge (a maximum of 2 entries per school for each of Stages 4 and Stage 5).
All entries must have an ID tag securely attached to the Textile Art Piece by stitching or a safety pin.
TEXTILE ART PIECES should be posted to arrive by Friday 16th October 2026 (term 4, week 1) at the following address –
2026 Textile Art Piece Challenge
c/o TEANSW
Locked Bag 9009
Alexandria NSW 1435
The Portfolio
In order to assist students in their design development, the design and production process could be documented at a school level with the production of a folio.
It is not necessary to include this documentation when submitting the selected TAP projects for judging. The TAP Challenge is based on the Textile Art Piece only.
Judging and Process
Judging / Marking Criteria for the Textile Art Piece
The Textile Art Piece
- is clearly appropriate for the intended purpose, effectively meeting size and display criteria
- reflects the design brief, demonstrating creativity and with a direct link to the purpose
- demonstrates expertise in selecting and manipulating appropriate materials, techniques and equipment
- is a high-quality textile item
- shows efficient time management through complete and appropriate finishing details
After the school process
Select 2 students each from Stage 4 and Stage 5:
- Complete and submit an online entry form for each student.
Link to online entry form - For each entry, complete an ID tag, and attach securely to the Textile Art Piece.
Link to ID tag - Post the entries to arrive by Friday 16th October 2026 (term 4, week 1) .
Email correspondence
Email correspondence will be sent at the following stages of the process:
- receipt of online entry form
- receipt of TAP entries (after the due date)
- student notification of result, including certificate
- teacher letter of appreciation, including certificate
- notification of return of projects
- for prizewinners, an invitation to display at the Texstyle Exhibition and to attend the Texstyle Presentation evening
Marking criteria
The following marking criteria has been provided to assist with the selection of students’ work for the TAP Challenge, and will also be used in the judging process.
| 5 Marks | 4 Marks | 3 Marks | 2 marks | 1 Mark |
| Design is clearly appropriate for the intended purpose, effectively meeting size and display criteria | Design is related to intended purpose, meets size and display criteria | Relates to some of the design features required for the purpose, meets size and/or display criteria | Little relevance of design related to overall purpose, does not meet size or display criteria | Does not indicate relevance to the overall purpose, does not meet criteria of design brief |
| Design clearly reflects the design brief, demonstrating creativity and establishing a direct link to the purpose | Reflects inspiration/design brief showing creativity and/or innovation and links to the purpose | Reflects some aspect of the inspiration/design brief showing some creativity and a limited link to the purpose | Shows limited link between the inspiration/design brief and the purpose Some creative design aspects are evident | Little or no link established between the inspiration/design brief and the purpose |
| Demonstrates creativity and expertise when choosing and manipulating appropriate materials, techniques and equipment. | Demonstrate competent skill when choosing and manipulating appropriate materials, techniques and equipment. | Demonstrates basic skill when choosing and manipulating appropriate materials, techniques and/or equipment. | Demonstrates limited skills by selecting inappropriate materials, techniques and/or equipment. | Demonstrates a few skills by selecting inappropriate materials, techniques and/or equipment. |
| Produces a high-quality textile item. | Produces a quality textile item. | Produces a completed textile item. | Produces a poor-quality textile item. | Incomplete textile Item. |
| Complete and appropriate finishing details reflect efficient time management | Finishing details reflect good time management. | Mostly complete textile item requires more attention to finishing details. | Item shows an incomplete section and appears rushed with little evidence of time management. | Item is incomplete, with little or no evidence of time management. |
| TOTAL | / 25 | |||