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#10533
SEW COOL PRODUCTIONS:
THE BASICS OF SEWING
LEARNING ZONE EXPRESS, 2000
Grade Level: 6-13+
27 Minutes
9 Instructional Graphics Included

CAPTIONED MEDIA PROGRAM RELATED RESOURCE

#10532 SEE ‘N SEW

Funding for the Captioned Media Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Education
 Teacher's
Guide
Hand Stitching
Goals:
o o o o o

2-
Thread needle, tie knot, and sew basic hand stitches used in repairing clothes.

Sew on different types of buttons.

Lesson Outline:
1. Worksheet: Hand Stitches. Create samples of each hand stitch on large pieces of
felt (mount them on poster boord or ortach to bulletin board). Pie-cut 6" squares of
fabric for this assignment. Demonstrate how to do each stitch with a large needle on felt
pieces, then h a w students practice. Have students do one qualiy row of e ~ c h
stitch and
turn it in for grading.

2. Worksheer: Sewing on Butfons. Create samples of each button type sewn on to

pieces of felt (mount them on poster board or attach to bulletin board). Pre-cut squares of
fabric and collect the three types of buttons for this assignment. Demonstrate how to sew
on each type of button (2-hole, 4-hole, and shank) with a large needle on felt pieces.
Have students sew one of each type of button on fabric square and turn it in for grading.

Clothing Construction
Goals:
Recognize names and uses of sewing equipment

Outline safety practices to follow when working in

sewing lab.

Interpret pattern markings and pattern layout diagrams.

Correctly thread the sewing machine.

Stitch straight lines with backstitching, square corners, 1/2" seam, and ziz-zag stitch.
Lesson Outline:
1 . Worksheet: Sewing Tool identification. Show the
sewing equipment pieces and demonstrate their use as the
students complete this worksheet, Outline safety practices to
prepare them for sewing lab.

2. Worksheet: Fabric Terms & Pattern Symbols. Prepare

for this lesson by having 1 " pieces of the following fabrics:
woven, knit, corduroy, selvage edge, right side/wrong side of fabric. Have a pattern
and instruction sheet to refer to during your discussion. Follow directions on the
worksheet. Students roll up tape to attach samples in the spaces indicated as you talk
about the samples.

I Worksheet Answers:
unravels easily, very little stretch, 5 / 8 ",5
needs a seam finish, not a good dart
choice for athletic wear. seam
stretches more in one direction than right
the other, no seam finish needed, basting
looks like a chain-/ink fence, good for baste, then pull threads /have
athletic wear example stitched to show students)
answers vary beginning and end of seam
Nap so seams don't come out
Selvage helps sew pieces together accurately
oufside, inside list your sewing lab rules here
draw symbols, show students symbols
I
on pattern pieces

3. Make copies of a Machine Diagram of the sewing machines in your classroom (from
the manuals of your specific machines) and have the students label each part of the
machine as you explain it. Demonstrate how to thread the machine, backstitch, straight
stitch, and zig-zag on scraps of fabric.

4. Worksheet: Machine Stitching. Create samples of each machine stitch on fabric with
contrasting thread as shown on the assignment (mount them on poster board or attach to
bulletin board). Pre-cut 6" squares of solid fabric for students to practice and do their
final stitching. Demonstrate the assignment as shown on the worksheet and allow
students time to practice and do a final sample to turn in for grading.

17177777
LEARNING
@LearningZone Express
ZONEEPBESS P.O. Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060 (507)455-9076
 Name:

Sewing Tool Hour:

Identification
GOAL: ...recognize names of sewing equipment.
...outline safety practices to follow when working in sewing lab.
DIRECTIONS: Fill in names of sewing equipment using the word bank below.
I Hand Sewing Needles Marking pencil Pin Cushion

Pinking Shears Sewing Gauge Pressing Ham

Seam Ripper Scissors Tape Measure

Straight Pins ~ a i l o r schalk Thimble

Tracing Paper Tracing Wheel

Shears Seam Roll

Heavy Duty cuHing of fabric. Used to trim threads.

One handle larger than other. Two handles same size.
1.

Cuts a zig-zag edge to prevent Protects your finger when

raveling. Makes a seam finish. hand sewing.

3.

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @learning Zone Express (507)455-9076

 Stores pins, filled with sawdust Used to hold pattern to fabric or 2 layers
which sharpens pins. of fabric. Must lay flat on fabric.

I Different sizes and lengths.

Used to sew by hand.
Chalk-filled pencil - makes
temporary marks on fabric.

Waxy coated paper which Handle & metal wheel with teeth,
transfers pattern markings used with tracing.

I Square of chalk, makes

temporary marks on fabric.
60" k n j , takes pattern or
o y measurements.

C
Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @Learning Zone Express (507)455-9076
 6" long wiih slide, helps you mark ~akes
out sewing mistakes.
a hem or smaller amounts.

Helps press seams in tubes - like Press curved areas.

sleeves. Looks like a sausage. Looks like a ham!

16.

Safety In The Sewing Lab

DIRECTIONS: Write down the safety rules to follow when working in the sewing lab.

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @LearningZone Express (507)455-9076

 Name:

Hour:

Fabric Terms &

Pattern Symbols
- - - - - - -

GOAL= ...interpret pattern markings and pattern layout diagrams.

DIRECTIONS: Follow teacher directions in completing this assignment.
1. Describe a WOVEN fabric:

Paste
Sample
Here

2. ~escribea KNIT fabric:

Paste
Sample
Here

3. My shirt is a fabric. 1 My pants are a fabric.

4. is the fuzzy surface on fabric.

ill pattern pieces must be laid out in the same directions. Paste
Sample
Here

Sew Cool ~roductionsVideo Worksheets @LearningZone Express (507)455-9076

 5. The is a tightly woven edge
on fabric made during processing. It does not ravel. The Paste
grainline arrow must be parallel to this edge. Sample
Here

Paste
Sample
~~ Paste
Sample
Here Here

6. The RIGHT SlDE of the fabric is called The WRONG SlDE of the fabric is called
the the

7. Draw the correct pattern symbol for each of the following:

Notch is used to match pattern pieces. Cut out Place on Fold means that you place the edge
and around to lewe nctch shcwincj on the of the arrows ofi h e fclc! cf the fobric. Don't cut
fabric-. on this edge!

Grainline Arrow is a symbol that must be Dots are used to give sewing directions during
parallel to the selvage edge of fabric. Necessary construction.
so that clothes hang and wear properly.

Stitching Line is a broken dotted line on a Cutting Line is the heavy outside line on a
pattern. Normal stitching line is 5/8" from edge pattern. Leave the line on your pattern pieces by
of the fabric. cutting just outside the line.

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @Learning Zone Express (507)455-9076

 Review: Short Answer.

Normal seam allowance is . Line up the edge of the fabric with the

number on the throat plate of our machines.

The pattern symbol that when sewn adds shape to an area i s a

A row of stitching that joins two pieces of fabric is called a

Most sewing is done with sides of fabric together.

Temporary machine stitching o r stitching by hand is called

13. How do you gather or ruffle fabric?

14. Where do you bachtitch? -

15. Why do you backstitch?

16. What is the importance of cutting exactly next to the cutting line when you cut out your pattern
pieces?

17. How will you practice safety when sewing?

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @Learning Zone Express (507) 455-9076
 ...set machine to ziz-zag stitch.
I . Get a 6" square of fabric and thread machine with color that will show up on that fabric.
2. Begin in the middle of a side and stitch 1/2" from the edge all the way around the square
(carefully turn square corners). Backstitch when you begin and end.

3. Inside the square stitch 2 rows of straight stitching with backstitching when you begin and end.
4. Then stitch 2 rows of zig-zag stitching.
5. Be sure all threads are trimmed.

Staple your sample here.

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @Learning Zone Express (507) 455-9076
 Name:

Hour:

Paper Stitching
Exercise

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @Learning Zone Express (507) 455-9075
 Name:

Hour:

Hand Stitches
GOAL: ...be able to sew basic hand stitches - used in repairing clothes and in stitching the
sewing project.

Running Stitch
A simple stitch used for gathering, easing and swing seams with little stress. Poke up from the
back of fabric, poke down and up creating a dotted line on front and back of fabric. Should
be tiny and even and about 1 / I 6-1/8" long. Do one whole row of stitches.

0 0 0 1 0 I

Backstitch
A very strong stikh. Used b repair seams. Begin with a tiny running stitch, Sack up into the
last threads, poke out under, poke through ahead of it and pull. This stitch should be about
1/A" long and make a connected line on front and back of fabric. Do a whole row of

Overcast Stitch
This is a very strong and tough stitch, sometimes called the "ugly" stitch. Put two edges of
fabric together. Poke up from the bottom and pull, and then repeat, poking the needle up
from the bottom. Stitches are one on top of each other and the threads wrap over the edge of
fabric. Use this in seams with a lot of stress. Do 1 inch of this stitch.

Staple your samples here.

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @LearningZone Express (507)455-9076

 Name:

Hour:

Sewing on
Buttons
GOAL= ...be able to sew on buttons, use skills to repair clothes.

2-Hole Bufton
I . Thread needle with color to match button. Take a small stitch
where button is to be placed. Poke needle through button hole,
hold button in place over small stitch.

2. Place straight pin across top of holes. Sew with thread going over
top of pin and down in opposite hole. Do this at least 6 times.

3. Remove pin. Poke needle so thread comes out under button, but
on top of fabric so you can TIGHTLY wrap threads around the
middle of the stitches 4 times. This creates a thread shank (so you
have room for other layer of fabric when you button).

4: Poke needle to back of fabric. Stitch in place 3 times to make a

secure knot. Trim thread.

4mHole Button
I. Follow directions for the 2-hole button.

2. When stitching the extra two holes, poke needle from the underside
and continue so the extra thread doesn't show on the top. You must
use the same thread for the entire button.

Shank Button
I . Thread needle with color to match button and take a small
stitch where button is to be placed.

2. Slip button on thread, hold button at an angle, poke up through hole, down the side of the
shank and continue at least 6 times. Then just stitch in place 3 times on the back to knot
thread. DO NOT WRAP THREADS because this button has a shank.
Staple your sample here.
Sew Cool ~roductionsVideo Worksheets @LearningZone Express (507) 455-9076
 Square Pin Cushion
Cut two pieces of fabric 4" x 4".

Pin squares of fabric together with right sides facing

each other.

Stitch together with 1/4" seam allowance. Leave a

of opening).

Trim corners, being careful not to cut your I

stitching. Turn right side out. Push out corners. ! Leave open 2"
to turn.
Stuff firm. Fold raw edges in and hand stitch \
the opening closed.

. - Polar Fleece Headband

1. Measure your head where you
will place the headband.

2. Cut a strip of polar fleece 3"

wide and the length of your head
measurement minus 3".

3. Match short edges and sew with

a 5/8" seam. Backstitch at the
beginning and end the seam.

4. Open and finger-press seam.

Topstitch 1/4" around each side
of headband, making sure the
seam is flat.

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @Learning Zone Express (507)455-9076

 Paper or Felt
HANG-UPS

Cut two pieces (a front and a back) of paper* or felt

using on of the "Hang-ups" patterns or create your
own pattern! Use pinking shears*' or straight edge
shears to cut it out.

cut one piece of paper towel ( ~ o I ~ - f I e e or

- . - -
c efelt) from 'C Tape on mark
on pattern.
the pattern as the "filling' or stuffing.

Cut 8" of 1/4" ribbon. Tap the ends of the ribbon to

the wrong side of the back piece (this will be on the V
inside of b e hang-up) as marked on- pattern..

Sandwich the filling (paper towel or fleece) in

between the top and bottom pieces, making sure
that the decorated pieces are right side up and
on the outside. Your ribbon "hanger" should be
on the inside.

With threaded sewing machine, straight stitch

1/4" around the edge. Lock the stitches by
stitching over several stitches where they meet.

Decorations like iron-ons, fabric paint, decorative

stitching, etc. can be added after Step 2 or after Step 5.

* Brown paper bags work great for this project!

** When using pinking shears, you may want to layer the paper
and paper towel and cut it all at one time so the edges of all the
layers are even.

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets @Learning Zone Express (507)455-3076

 / - - - - - - - - - - - - ----

X
Place ribbon ends here. 1
I I
I I
I I
I I
I

HANG-UPS

I
I I
I Cut 2 of paper or felt. I
I Cut 1 of paper towel o r poly-fleece. I
I I
I I
I I
I

Sew Cool
Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets OLearning Zone Express (507) 455-9076
 Place ribbon ends here. I
I

HANG-UPS II
I
Cut 2 of paper or felt. I
Cut 1 of paper towel or poly-fleece. I
I

@Learning Zone Express (507) 455-9076

Sew Cool Productions Video Worksheets