Mod. 1 Introduction to sewing

Mod 1. Introduction to Sewing When you complete this study unit, you’ll be able to Describe why professional garments can now be developed by dressmakers working from their homes Identify the proper tools, equipment, and sewing aids for cutting, sewing, and pressing Sew several types of temporary and permanent stitches Recognize and produce a variety of basic seams Take body measurements needed for the proper fit of garments Choose a clothing pattern Prepare a pattern for individual figure variations Recognize and use sewing terms and style names

The Art of Sewing Keep up to date with sewing trends and designers. Go to the library to read and see current magazines. Study past looks and look at the copyright date to see the "modern trends" of a time. Go to fabric shops and fashion shows

Method of Study Be critical. Do not be satisfied until project looks like the study unit Prepare all materials before a session Read entire section before practical work Practice, make other items other than those of the study unit Use good material otherwise its a waste of effort. And I'll be wearing cheap material. Be neat, store unfinished projects in covered box. Use SELF CHECKS, SEWING FOR SUCCESS, and EXAMS after each unit. Practice to Polish. After units go to PRACTICAL EXERCISE to complete LEARNING ACTIVITIES.

Tools and Equipment Cutting Dressmakers Shears: 6"-12", electrical shears exist. Don't use for paper or they will be dulled. Cutting Table: 1yd by 4yd is good, minimum 28" by 2yd, this will allow cutting doubled fabric or fabric stretched to its full potential. plywood on horses works. Yardstick: smooth with ,metal ends, ruler would be useful Tapemeasure: never roll them. Straight Pins: Steel, highly polished. Seamstress pins are 1 1/8" for light-tomedium fabrics. Recommend 1 1/4" pins for heavy fabrics and Ball point pins for pile or knitted fabrics. Pinheads are flat or round and colored Sewing Needles: size 1-12 (course to fine), Sharps are average length with round eyes, Straws are longer with round eyes for millinery, Betweens are for hand sewing with egg eyes used for embroidery, crewel, and darning. Self-Threading are available for thick materials. Insert thread by force through the pin top. Thimble: size 6-11, for middle finger Pressing Iron-ordinary for pressing, steam for light weight fabric Ironing board- with cover so it stays clean sleeve board-padded, useful for pressing darts and shoulder seams (picture to the right) Pressing cushion-useful for armhole seams and curved joinings. (picture to the right) Seam or Padded Roll- For pressing seams whose marks may show through the body, will direct the iron wight to the stitching only, can be made with a padded broom handle covered with calico Pressin Cloths- 2 lengths: 1) 18" by 36" used for damp pressing. 2) smaller for dry pressing when the iron would mark the fabric Velvet boards- used for pressing pile fabrics like velvet to prevent matting. Instead use the same pile fabric as the garment to make a pressing cloth, use pile side on the fabric and use steam iron. for darts and seams stand steam iron up with muslin draped over it and hold fabric against this Turkish Toweling- use 4 to 8 lays depending on the fabric on ironing board, use for pressing embossed fabric, lace or raised patterns Wooden Clapper- smooth piece of wool 12 1/4" wide for beating the steam into woolens and wool blends, for flat sharp corners for collars, corners, etc.

Self-Check True or False? Seamstress pins are 1 in. in length and are used on pile or knitted fabrics. List four types of threads and their uses. __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ A size 6 thimble is considered to be a _______. Egg-eyed betweens are needles that are best used for _______. Tracing wheels are better suited for use on pale colors. c. thin fabrics. glazed cottons. d. firm fabrics. What tool would be most appropriate for opening up a seam? __________________________________________________________