September 30th

The class learned about the differences between pressing and ironing. Pressing equipment, ironing area rules and reasons for pressing were discussed. Students will be starting on their tissue box covers tomorrow.

September 29th

Students had to turn in their fabric for their tissue cover/gift or travel bag today since I was gone yesterday. This was worth 25 points on their grade. We also finished the machine/decorative stitch sample and started on a curve and pivot sample, which will be due by the end of class tomorrow.

September 28th

Students had a sub today and learned about values. Nothing was due today.

September 24th

Students learned how to use the embroidery stitches on the machines and completed a sample titled "Machine/decorative stitches". They had to sew one straight line, one zig-zagged line and five lines of their own choosing. This is worth 10 points on their grade and is due today at the end of class.

September 23rd

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.

September 22nd

Students learned about different kinds of sewing machine needles and pins used in sewing and for different kinds of fabrics today. They had a note taking guide they should have completed while we discussed and showed different examples.

September 21st

The 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.

September 18th

Students discussed different safety precautions they will need to take when working with each type of equipment in our sewing lab. We mainly discussed the sewing machines, rotary cutters and mats, and sergers.

September 17th

After filling out their student/teacher assessment sheet for Student-Led Conferences, the 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.

September 16th

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 25 points on their grade. Those who did not pass can arrange a time to come in and retake the quiz after school sometime in the next two weeks.

September 15th

Students learned to identify and name the parts of our sewing computers. They will have a 12 question quiz on these parts tomorrow.

September 14th

The students had to identify 18 common pieces of sewing equipment they will be using when completing their projects during the rest of the semester. We were also able to review what they were used for and to complete another activity using these pieces of equipment.

September 11th

Students discussed and looked at different types of thread and the purposes of each. They should now be more knowledgeable when choosing the types of thread they would like to use for their projects. Their Measuring review sheets were also due today and are worth 30 points.

September 10th

Students had a review of proper measuring, including fractions and the correct use of rulers. They worked on a review sheet to see how much they remember about measuring and to get help for anything they didn't understand. The assignment is worth 30 points and will be due tomorrow.

September 9th

Students learned about grainlines and the parts of a piece of fabric. They started a sample on grainlines in which they had to label the different parts of fabric and had to pin on a small pattern piece correctly by pinning it on with the grainline parallel to the selvage and lengthwise grain. This will be due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

September 8th

We finished discussing and showing how knits are manufactured, finished the sample sheet for knitted, woven and non-woven fabrics and placed this in their binders behind the samples divider, and watched a video on how these three types of fabrics are manufactured and the equipment used in each process.

September 4th

Students learned about the three ways fabrics are produced (Woven, non-woven and knitted)and were given samples of each of the three fabrics to help them identify fabric types at the fabric store. We discussed each type and the characteristics of each.

September 3rd

Students corrected/scored their pre-test and watched a video showing and describing how common fibers are made. They were also reminded that their $5.00 lab fee is due to the main office by September 10th and they need to turn in the receipt to the turn-in basket to receive points.

September 2nd

Students learned about fibers, the difference between natural, synthetic and blended fabrics and the properties of each. They were also shown samples of each of the different fibers.

September 1st

The students had a pre-test today. We will use their score on this pre-test to compare the results with their state skills test at the end of the semester to see how they improved over the course of the semester. They received points for taking the pre-test and will be put on Skyward on Thursday.