Textiles Projects: Table of Contents

◦ Slides 2-4 – Textiles 9 project info

◦ Slides 5-10 – Textiles 10/11/12 project info

◦ Slides 11-15 – Info on getting fabric (all grades)

 TEXTILES 9
SEWING PROJECTS
2023/24
 You will sew:
1. two machine samples
supplies available
2. zippered pouch in school
3. stuffed elephant or whale
4. clothing item (choose from
beginner list) purchase your own
fabric if possible
5. bonus clothing item, if time (aim to start late October!)

Note: most thread and notions (elastic, buttons, etc.) are available in school, but specialty items
may need to be brought in
 Clothing Project #1: Bottom
◦ Choose from shorts, pants, or skirt with elastic waistband
◦ Optional pockets and drawstring

Finished project will depend on what fabric you get! Examples:

Sweatpants PJ pants/shorts Long/short skirt Casual pants/shorts
TEXTILES 10/11/12
SEWING PROJECTS
2023/24
 You will sew:
1. two machine samples
supplies available
2. small project: pot holder or in school
gift bag or zippered pouch

3. major project #1 purchase your own

fabric if possible
4. major project #2 (aim to start mid October!)

Note: most thread and notions (elastic, buttons, etc.) are available in school, but specialty items
may need to be brought in
Major Sewing Projects #1 and #2
We will try to limit the number of unique patterns/projects in this
class because:
◦ this will cut down on wait time for teacher help
◦ you can ask your classmates for help
◦ you can share the pattern

So, please try to pick the same pattern as at least 1 other

classmate.
Major Sewing Projects #1 and #2
Project type Examples A more complicated full-body
garment could count as 2
projects (e.g. a sleeved dress or
Bottom pants, shorts, skirt overalls) .

Top shirt, jacket, vest You can also do a few

smaller/more simple items that
could count as 1 project (e.g. a
Accessory duffel bag, stuffed bow tie and a hat).
animal

Students who are new/beginners to following commercial patterns will

sew an elastic waist bottom as their first project.
 New/Beginners
◦ For project #1, choose from shorts, pants,
or skirt with elastic waistband
◦ Optional pockets and drawstring
◦ Finished project will depend on your fabric
Sweatpants PJ pants/shorts
Intermediate/Advanced
(must have used commercial
patterns before)
◦ choose a pattern of suitable difficulty
◦ browse pattern look-books (please share
and keep organized) or find online
◦ these things tend to add difficulty, so give
yourself appropriate limits:

• sleeves • buttons/ • stretchy

• collar buttonholes fabrics
• hood • pleats • thick fabrics
• pockets • darts • thin/slippery/
• zippers • gathers/ delicate
ruffles fabrics
long/short Casual pants/
skirt shorts
 Example:
Molly’s is closest to size 12 and is
Review:
making skirt D.
Review: Reading a Reading a
She needs 3 1/4 yards of 45-inch fabric

Pattern Envelope OR 2 5/8 yards of 60-inch fabric.

Pattern
Envelope
◦ Determine your size from the
size chart
◦ In the table, find your size and
follow it down the column to
the “view” you are making.
This number shows how many
yards or metres of fabric you
need, depending on the
width of the bolt (45 or 60
inches).
◦ Read the units carefully!
 GETTING FABRIC
Textiles 9: Have fabric ready by late October

Textiles 10/11/12: Have fabric ready by mid October

You are encouraged to purchase fabric at a fabric
shop if you can afford it.

Salespeople are knowledgeable of fabric types and

how to read a pattern envelope, so they can guide
you. Getting
Fabric
If you want to use or see the school’s collection of
fabric, please come during Tutorial time (weekdays
excl. Wednesdays, 8:30-9:10). Choice is limited.

Characteristics to avoid:
- very stretchy - very thin
- slippery - very thick or stiff
Fabric Stores
◦ Search online for local stores
◦ Avoid buying online (can’t see or feel the fabric, and pieces are
usually too small for sewing full garments)
◦ See my website for notes: https://mslowe44.weebly.com/fabric-
stores.html
Fabric Amounts for
Beginner Pants/Shorts/Skirt
◦ Fabric is sold on large rolls called “bolts”
◦ Bolts usually come in 2 widths:
115 cm (45 inches) wide or 150 cm (60 inches) wide
◦ Your project choice, pattern size, and fabric width will determine the
length you need to buy.
◦ It’s safer to buy a bit more than what you think you need.

Project 115 cm wide fabric 150 cm wide fabric

shorts or short skirt 1.5 metres 1 metre

pants or long skirt 2.5 metres 2.2 metres

Pre-washing your fabric
◦ Optional but recommended
◦ Helps avoid:
◦ dyes leaching out of the fabric that could stain
other clothing
◦ shrinkage that could affect the size

◦ Use a gentle cycle and cool or warm water

◦ Wash separately from other clothing
◦ If your fabric frays a lot at the edges, serge it in class first

◦ See tips here: https://kokkafabrics.com/en-ca/blogs/resources/the-

ultimate-guide-to-pre-washing-fabric