Course Description: This course is a teaching-oriented study of the techniques and technologies used to construct textile-based products. Its purpose is to help prepare students for teacher certification and teach textile product construction education content in secondary level FCS classrooms and also to learners of all ages.
About Me
Back when I was 21, I dropped out of college to apprentice with a Master Tailor. The best years of my life were spent as a Master Tailor myself, sewing for a huge variety of clients, running my own business and doing what I love best, solving problems! I went back to school as a tax thing (I could get student health insurance and write off my classes as professional development). Long story short, I discovered that I could make a real impact teaching textiles to future FCS Teachers so I went on to graduate school and transitioned to being a professional educator. I have recently refocused my academic scholarship towards sewing education and want to share what I know about the ancient craft of sewing, to spread respect for sewing and empower new sewists.
Goals for the Course
There are more people than ever who are coming back to sewing as a fulfilling STEAM challenge. The first goal for the course is for students to gain confidence in their own sewing, both hand and machine, even if they haven’t sewn before. The second goal is for students to feel comfortable helping other sewists choose the right projects, supplies and machines to meet their needs. The final goal is for students to observe, plan and teach sewing skills in a variety of setting, including online, to students across the age spectrum.
Course Schedule
Offering this class during the summer means that we can spend the time we need to learn something new without the stress of having projects spread out so much.
The class will meet five days a week from 9-noon, which much of the time focused on lab time to practice our new skills, observe a class with new learnings and create our own teaching materials.
The fifth week of class will meet online so that we can practice using online tutorials to teach and learn sewing.
Click above to download a copy of the course syllabus. Some details may change slightly between now and first day of class, but the overall structure has been set.
Required Materials
Sewing Machine: Singer M100 or 1034. These machines are lightweight, portable and avoid the unnecessary attachments and computerization that can impede learning by beginners. If you already own a machine, do not purchase this machine but download all of the instruction guides so that you can create sample classroom materials.
Sewing Kit
Fabric scissors
Paper scissors
Small thread snips/scissors
Rotary Cutter (optional)
Clear 6″ sewing ruler
Pack of sewing pins
Pack of hand sewing needles
Seam ripper
Fabric
3-1 yard pieces of 100% cotton fabric from the quilting section (your choice of print) for simple projects
4-7″ trouser zippers that coordinate with the fabrics you chose
1 roll 1/4″ wide grosgrain ribbon that coordinates with the fabrics you chose
