February 28th

Students were taught and walked through the process of using four of the most common seam finishes to prevent fraying of the fabric edges on their projects. Students started work on a sample demonstrating clean-finished, serged, stitched and pinked and zig-zagged finishes. They will finish this sample on Monday of next week.

February 27th

Students ;earned about the sergers today, including the uses of them, the rules, how to care from them and fixes to common serger problems. They will start using these during class tomorrow. Also, they were told that the fleece fabric for their hat project is due on March 7th!

February 26th

Students were given all of class to finish their tissue box covers. If they did not finish, they must arrange for a time to come in after school to finish. Projects and samples must be worked on and completed here at school.

February 25th

Students out together their sample for their portfolio for this class. They were also reminded that after two weeks past a deadline, the assignment will no longer receive points and that it is the students' responsibility to check PowerSchool and the blog site at least once a week to check on their grade and for missing assignments. They used the rest of class to continue on their tissue box cover. Some turned it in today, but most will finish tomorrow and they will be graded tomorrow after school.

February 22nd

Students started work on their tissue box covers. The scoring rubric and instructions were provided, as well as a quick teacher demonstration. Students will continue to work on these on Monday.

February 21st

No class due to the ninth grade science and geography movie activity.

February 20th

Lesson on correct pressing methods and the importance of pressing as you work instead of all at the end.

February 19th

Students were given the day to catch-up on any missing assignments and to finish their seven stitches sample using the embroidery stitches since they will be printing mid-terms in the next day or two.

February 15th

Students learned how to use the embroidery stitches on the machines and completed a sample titled seven stitches. They had to sew one straight line, one basting line, one zig-zagged line and four lines of their own choosing. This is worth 35 points on their grade and is due on Tuesday at the end of class.

February 14th

No class today because of the late start from the snow!

February 13th

Students were shown how to do pivots/turn corners and how to sew around curves. They had to then demonstrate what they learned on two samples, one showing pivots and one showing curves. At the end of class, those who had finished turned them in.

February 12th

Students had a sub today. They had a crossword puzzle titled "One-way fabrics" to complete. When they finished, they needed to turn it into the basket for points.

February 11th

Students reviewed how to thread the sewing machine. They learned that seam allowances are the measurement from the cut edge to the sewing line and practiced sewing a 1/4 inch and a 5/8 inch seam allowance by creating a sample of each which they turned in by the end of class. Also, a number of students were given the opportunity to retake the parts of the sewing machine quiz and to catch-up on missing assignments.

February 8th

Students learned how to wind a bobbin and thread a sewing machine. They also reviewed the most common type of sewing problems, plus ways to fix these problems.

February 7th

Students reviewed how to use the sewing machines and safety procedures. They were then allowed to sew on paper using the machines to get used to them and the way the fabric is pulled though while it sews. they had 5 different patterns to practice on using both straight and curved lines, as well as corners.

February 6th

Students took a quiz on the parts of the sewing machine. If they were able to identify 8 or more out of 12 parts, they earned 10 points on their grade. Those who did not pass can arrange a time to come in and retake the quiz. We also graded their measuring review sheets and cleared up any mistakes or misconceptions they had.

February 5th

Students learned to identify and the official names of the parts of our sewing computers. They will have a 12 question quiz on these parts tomorrow and we will grade our Measuring review sheets during class tomorrow as well.

February 4th

Students had a review of proper measuring, including fractions and the correct use of rulers. The assignment is worth 30 points and will be graded tomorrow during class.

February 1st

Today, students had to turn in their tissue box fabric and their class fee receipt for points. Anyone who did not have their fabric today now has to let me know when they bring it by writing me a little note and place the note in the basket in order to earn the points. We discussed common safety hazards in the sewing labs and how to avoid injuries, as well as how to use the equipment correctly and safely. Students also finished their sewing equipment word finds and grain line samples.