How much credit to give (and what to call) sewing projects?

[romeacademy]

My dd spent a lot of time on two sewing projects last year. I hadn't had it listed as part of her high school plan, but would like to give her credit for the work. In my day this would simply have been Home Ec, but that doesn't sound up-to-date. Would Clothing and Textiles be reasonable? Or maybe Clothing & Tex I, since she may very well do more.

 

Also, I'm wondering whether or not to assign 1 credit or .5 credits. She made a lined wool skirt and a prom dress. For both, she selected the pattern and the material, made a muslin mock-up to adjust fit (this was a major undertaking for the dress), and finished the garment inside and out. She had a 4-H project last year and one of the judges (a woman in her 60's) told my dd that when she was a girl she was taught that a garment should look as good inside as it does outside, and dd took that to heart. Additionally for the prom dress she combined 2 patterns, made some additional alterations, and learned to use a serger.

 

I didn't take Home Ec in high school because my mom had already taught me how to sew, but I seem to remember girls making a skirt over the course of 1 semester, so I'm leaning toward 1 credit, but don't know for sure what's reasonable.

 

Thanks!

[mcconnellboys]

My Mom was a vocational home ec teacher for many years and I had classes under her in high school. This would have been a semester's worth of work under her, but it would have included many other things than just the sewing projects.

 

A typical year included:

 

a study of hygeine;

 

reading and questions answered on various topics from a home ec book;

 

a cooking study where teams planned, budgeted for, and prepared meals, set their tables and served the meal to each other (prep for this included an etiquette study, too);

 

a home decorating section which might include planning a room arrangement and making floral arrangements, crafts projects to decorate the room, etc.;

 

a hand work section where the kids worked on crewel embroidery, needlepoint, knitting, crocheting, etc.;

 

a section on learning the parts of a sewing machine and creation of a sample book that included various hand and machine types of stitches, button holes, snaps, hooks and other closures, etc.

 

We also created a fashion book with cutouts from magazines that had to include a certain number of design elements for different figure types, etc.

 

And then there were varying levels of sewing projects, depending upon what level you were at in sewing.

 

Simpler projects equaled more projects per semester; those who were working on more complex projects did fewer of them. She looked at the number of elements in a project.

 

And I'm sure there were other units we studied that I don't now recall....

 

Home Ec is making a come back in many schools now, actually, as they learn that it's not really a good idea to provide young people with no real life skills before turning them out into the world. Clothing and textiles sounds good, but would involve a study of textiles as well as sewing. Has she done that?

[romeacademy]

Good point, she hasn't done textile study yet. We were planning that for next year along with a study of historical fashions. So I'l call that one Clothing and Textiles and come up with something else for this.

 

From what I can tell, schools around here sometimes call this kind of thing "Family and Consumer Science", but that seems to be an all encompasing term that includes nutrition, fitness, meal planning, cooking basics, consumerism, and a smattering of other topics. It's kind of wide, but I imagine pretty shallow. It's also more typically offered at the middle school level. By high school, it seems to be much more specific. One of the local high schools offers courses in fashion design and clothing and textiles. Unfortunately I can't find course descriptions.

 

She did spend almost 4 hours with a friend of mine, learning to use a serger and for that did make up a set of sample stitches for reference as well as doing a very simple project (a glasses case). She already knows how to do many of the things you mentioned (embroidery, knitting, crocheting). I think normally a course would include learning the parts of a sewing machine and various basic stitches, but she's been sewing for over 4 years, so much of that doesn't apply.

 

She also did a several additional projects (flannel pajama pants, 2 doll outfits for her sisters, baby blankets to give as gifts), so I don't want to short-change her. But I guess unless I can find some actual course descriptions, I'll probably go with .5 credits.

 

Thanks for your help.

[Robin in DFW]

made pajama pants, planned and prepared a meal, planned a holiday party but did not have to prepare anything...it was definitely not the caliber of class as explained above, but she did get a 1/2 credit for it.

 

I don't know how long ago the above class was done, but my dd's was about 4 years ago at a pretty good school.

[Hunter's Moon]

I would call that Fashion I.

 

At my PS, Fashion I consisted of making a throw pillow and a skirt/shorts/pants/etc.

[Kareni]

And here's a course description for

 

"FASHION 1 CP

This course is designed to familiarize the student with basic principles of clothing construction, textiles and fabric care. It gives each student an opportunity to apply these principles in a laboratory situation. Construction of garments, home decorating items, and creative crafts are encouraged. No experience with the sewing machine is required."

 

(and, no, I have no idea what CP refers to!)

 

and these for Creative Fashion

 

"Creative Fashions 1

 

Level: Academic 9, 10, 11, 12

Length of course: One semester

Department: Family and Consumer Science

Pre-requisite: None

 

Course description:

 

This orientation level course provides basic classroom and laboratory experiences. The topics include self-esteem, wardrobe planning, buying and caring for clothes, grooming including hair styling and make-up, selection of textiles and notions, use and care of a sewing machine, use of a pattern and following directions, completions of four beginning level projects, hand sewing and mending. Projects include, pincushion pillows, drawstring bag and lounge pants. Some basic sewing equipment is provided. Fabric and notions must be purchased by the student.

 

 

Creative Fashion 2

 

Level: Academic 10, 11, 12

Length of course: One semester

Department: Family and Consumer Science

Pre-requisite: Creative Fashion 1

 

Course description:

 

This course is a continuation of Creative Fashions l where students will build on their previous knowledge. Students will review basic sewing skills, pattern selection and fabrics. New techniques will include cording, zipper application, gathers, darts, lining and interfacings, and use of the serger machines. Projects include, corded pillow, make-up bag, necktie, and shirt. Equipment, supplies and fabrics are provided by the students.

 

 

Creative Fashion 3

 

Level: Academic 11, 12

Length of course: One semester

Department: Family and Consumer Science

Pre-requisite: Creative Fashions 2

 

Course description:

 

This course will increase the level of knowledge and skills of students as they construct, purchase, care for, and work with apparel and accessories. This course is a continuation of Creative Fashions ll. Students will select projects that build on their individual skill levels. Equipment, supplies, and fabrics are provided by the students."

 

Regards,

Kareni

[romeacademy]

Thanks. I did some more digging too and finally came up with something. I'm going to go with 1 credit of Apparel Sewing.

[Teachin'Mine]

Sounds like you've come up with the name, but before reading your last post, I was thinking a half credit for Dress Making 101. :)

[AndyJoy]

My college called their introductory sewing class Clothing Construction I.