This course provides the foundation for future study in the field of Fashion Design. This course will introduce students to the mechanics of the sewing machine as well as basic hand sewing techniques. Redesigning, recycling and alterations of garments will allow students to work independently, master their skills and tap into their own creativity through design.  

650 FASHION DESIGN I

Grades 9,10,11,12 - 5 credits

This course teaches basic sewing skills and the use of the sewing machine, while exploring fashion trends, color choices, and textile basics. Students are responsible for their own project materials.

Unit

Timeframe

Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions) 

Major Learning Experiences from Unit


Clothing and Human Needs

1-2  Weeks

  • Why do we wear clothes?

  • How do the clothes people choose meet human needs and reveal personality traits? 

  • identify how clothing meets the human needs using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs

  • create a personal style project, which explains how wardrobe choices reveal personality, values, and self-concept

Elements and Principles of Design

2–3 Weeks

  • What are the elements of design and principles of design? 

  • How does one determine the best colors to complement a person’s coloring? 

  • How do the elements of design and principles of design help determine flattering wardrobes for individuals?

  • create mood boards, using specific computer technology, to explain specific color schemes and color symbolism. 

  • choose colors that enhance skin tone, hair, eye color, and body shape. 

Tools of the Trade

1 week

  • What are the standard tools used for sewing and fashion design? 

  • What are notions?

  • Create charts identify standard tools and their purposes

  • Match real life objects to chart

Hand Sewing

4-8 weeks; intermittent

  • How do different stitches impact practical and aesthetic features of a product? 

  • How do different threads/floss impact practical and aesthetic features of a product

  • How does one use notions in construction: snaps, hooks, and buttons?

  • Construct Hand-sewn coin purse

  • Construct Felt Mini-Animals


Operating a Sewing Machine

4 weeks

  • What is the importance of Safety, Proper Threading and Maintenance of a Sewing Machine?

  • What are the parts of the machine (Identifying the parts of a sewing machine)?

  • How do different machine stitches impact practical and aesthetic features of a product?

  • Pass Machine Test

  • Sew straight lines

  • Sew pivots

  • Sew curved lines

Straight Lines, Pivots, Curved Lines

4-10 weeks; intermittent

  • How do different machine stitches impact practical and aesthetic features of a product?

  • How does one use machine skills to complete project construction?

  • Why are notions necessary for some projects but not others? 

  • Construct Household items (ie: bag holder - straight lines)

  • Construct Accessories (ie: mask and/or self-lined bag - pivots, curved lines)

Measuring, Pattern Layout, Cutting, and Identifying Pattern Symbol

10-12 weeks; intermittent

  • Why are patterns important? 

  • How does one accurately measure a person for garment construction?

  • How does one read a pattern envelope?

  • How does one construct a garment?

  • Using Pattern, Construct Garment (ie: shorts, dresses, etc)

  • Using Pattern, Construct Accessories and household items (ie: bags, wreaths, aprons, animals etc)

Hems, darts, sleeves, and zippers

4-8 weeks

  • How does one construct a garment?

  • How do different elements of a garment impact shape, size, fit, etc?

  • Tailor Garment Pieces (ie: shorts, bodice, shirt, or dress)

  • Construct zipper project (ie: wristlet, bodice)

Community Service: Using our special skills to help others

6-8 weeks;

intermittent

  • How can we use our special skill set to help others?

  • Why is community service important? 

  • Construct seasonal service projects (ie: stockings, fundraising ribbons, blessing bags, etc.)