Safety in the sewing
area is foremost. Teach how to handle shears, pressing equipment, etc.
Help
them measure their own body to orient themselves and to help them make a
decision
about the size of pattern to purchase.
Teach children how to read the
back of the pattern envelope and the inside back pages of a pattern magazine
or
catalog.
Show them actual samples of the notions they need to purchase
for the project.
Fabrics and fibers can be explained in terms of ready-to-wear
and what the child has on (and is familiar with).
Pre-shrink fabric before
sewing. (Fusible interfacing does not go in the dryer!) The finish on a fabric
needs to be removed so that it doesn't damage the sewing machine or cause
skipped
stitches.
Demonstrate each step and allow the child to participate.
Personalized
labels add a finishing touch to each project.
Start a sewing notebook
of
projects with swatches and a picture of the finished project.
Initiate
self-evaluation with the first project by clearly stating goals: straight
seams, neat seam finishes, no dangling threads, etc. Try evaluating a simple
garment.
So as not to discourage a child and to prevent mishaps, the teacher
or parent should "unpick" at least the majority of the errors.
The
pattern guide sheets need to be on the child's reading level with clear
diagrams.
Mark them with a highlighter pen to emphasize important steps.
Also,
use a highlighting pen for specific directions, tracing size on multi-size
patterns.
Can use vellum (wide) paper to trace appropriate size pattern from
a multi-size pattern.
Check off pattern sheet as each step is completed.
A two gallon
zipper-type bag on hangers works well to keep pattern, fabric, and notions
together when stored.
Teach youth to pass shears and scissors with the
blade and to say please and thank you when passing notions and sewing tools
to each other.
Tell youth not to cut anything but fabric and not to rest
on the ironing board.
It may be helpful to note three or four heat settings
on the iron and label them, Heat Setting I-4.
No liquids around electrical
appliances and no wet shoes on foot petal.
Bargain tools and notions
are generally no bargain.
Keep machine oiled and maintained to prevent
frustration.
Eight parts of the sewing machine are important to remember:
balance
or hand wheel
take-up lever--take the rooster to the highest position
to crow before
you go
needle-thread
presser foot and presser foot lever
reverse button
stitch length adjuster
stitch selector
foot pedal
Adapted
from "Teaching
Tips" developed
by KidSew, Inc.
