2017 Brother Design Stars Competition

Here's a link to the website for further details: Brother at your side

The Great CanTeen Bandanna Challenge

Competitions

Take up the challenge and extend yourself, you never know until you try!!

Here's your chance to showcase your knowledge and talent in a public arena. On this page you will find details of competitions as they pop up throughout the year. Read through the information to check what the competition entails and then come and have a chat with me (Miss Jacobs) to see what kind of support I can offer. Remember that these will be done in your own time however, I'm happy to accommodate you in any way I can. 

Year 9 Stitch Samples

Year 9's are required to demonstrate their ability to use their knowledge of how to thread the sewing machine correctly and use their developing control to create 4 basic stitch samples.

Types of Needles

The three main types of needles used on a domestic machine:

- Universal needles have a slightly rounded tip, and this general purpose needle should be used on woven fabrics as well as some sturdy knits.

- Jersey needles have a medium ballpoint tip designed especially for knit fabrics because it slips between the fabric fibers and does not break or damage them while sewing.

- Stretch needles, often confused with Jersey needles, are also a medium ballpoint tip, but these have a special eye and scarf that are designed for extremely stretchy fabrics and elastics. Swimwear is an ideal application for this typw of needle.

Parts of a Sewing Machine Needle - Domestic Machines

THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF A SEWING MACHINE NEEDLE.

• The shank is the part of the needle that fits into your sewing machine, with the flat side to the back.

• The blade is what determines the needle size. (For example, a size 75 needle has a blade that is .75 mm in diameter.)

• The shaft is the “body” of the needle, and the groove that runs the length of the shaft holds the needle thread. Did you know that the diameter of the thread you are using should take up no more than 40% of the groove?

• The point and tip of the needle refer to the size, shape and length — all of which vary based on the type of needle.

• The scarf of the needle is an indentation on the backside that allows the bobbin hook to smoothly grab the thread under the sewing machine throat plate to create a proper stitch.

Describing Attributes

Physical and Functional Elements - The Nature of Technology

Physical and Functional Elements (Attributes)

Design elements provide another useful tool for analysing and interpreting an existing technological outcome.

• Elements such as colour, movement, pattern and rhythm, proportion, balance, harmony, contrast, and style relate to the outcome’s physical nature (its “form”).
• Elements such strength and durability, safety and stability, efficiency, reliability, nutritional value, user-friendliness, and ergonomic fit relate to the outcome’s functional nature.

By looking at these elements as a whole, the technologist can see how physical and functional elements have been prioritised to give an outcome that can be considered fit for purpose. Almost certainly they could have been prioritised differently depending on the intent of the designer, their knowledge of materials, their professional and personal beliefs, the sociocultural context, and so on.

Can you identify the physical and functional elements (attributes) that relate to Textiles?

Source: TKI.org.nz - Characteristics of technological outcomes.

The Design Process

The Design Process

1.   Situation/Need

2. Design Brief

3. Specifications

4. Investigation (survey stakeholders)

5. Research

6. Concept Design

7. Develop Ideas

8. Make Prototype

9. Evaluation

Attaching a Sleeve

There are a few techniques when it comes to attaching a sleeve. Here's a basic technique to start you off

1. Cut out sleeves and front/back pieces.
2. Sew shoulder seams together, press and overlock.
3. Lay front and back piece flat, right side up.
4. Pin sleeve at shoulder point of front and back, matching the notches, right side to right side (if the sleeve overlaps there is too much ease and you will need to use a 5mm gathering stitch to fit ease into armhole)
5. From the shoulder point, pin all the way to one side seam, matching the notches as you go.
6. Repeat for other side.
7. Stitch with a 1cm seam allowance from side seam to side seam.
8. Press the seam towards the sleeve and overlock
9. Overlock the hem of the sleeve, turn up 1.5 cm and press (wrong side to wrong side).
11. Stitch 1.5 cm hem.
12. Fold sleeve right side to right side, matching the sleeve hem, under arm, and side seams to hem of shirt front/back.
13. Stitch 1 cm seam allowance.
14. Press open (for a nice finish) and then press to one side, overlock (seams are generally pressed towards the center back).

                   

                   

                   

                   

Year 12 - Term One - Assessment One

Year 11 - Term One - Assessment One

Creating a Balloon Ball

Sewing Machine License

Constructing a One-Piece Shirt Collar

1. Cut out an Upper and Under Collar (make sure you include the notches)

2. Cut out interfacing ( 1 piece, this should be the same as the under collar minus the seam allowance)

3. Iron on interfacing or use a glue to hold it in place (you can use a fabric pencil or chalk to mark the position of the  interfacing on the wrong side of the under collar)

4. Stitch around outside edge (leaving the neck edge open!) with a 1cm seam allowance, pivoting at the corners with the needle in

5. Trim the corner seam allowances back, make sure not to get too close to the stitching
6. Turn in the right way, and gently push the corners out
7. Press flat
8. 5mm Top stitch around outside edge
9. Your collar is now ready to attach

This website has the perfect pictures to follow!

Creating a Skirt Block

Once you have taken your measurements, alongside a partner, check them over with Miss J. Following the instructions below, create a small model in your book with your measurements.
Use a piece of brown card to create your own personal block. You may need to create more later in the year!

This is what your finished block will resemble before being cut out.

To create a 1/2 block, follow the instructions below (note there are no H/J/K):

Start by using a ruler to create a straight line down the center of a piece of card.

(The measurements in green are worked out using a size 12 basic block)

AG - 1/2 hip + 2cm

AC - length of skirt = 60cm

AE - waist - hip measurement

GB - 1/2 hip + 2cm 

GI - 4.25 (1/2 hip + ease (2cm) - 1/2 waist + ease (2cm) - darts (3x2cm) / 2.

e.g. Hip 92cm; Waist 66cm 

48-33.5 = 14.5 - 6 = 8.5 / 2 = 4.25

3 x Darts - 2cm (1x SF; 2x SB)

GL - Same as GI

AM - 1/3 of AI

NI - AM (same as above)

LO - 1/3 of LB

MP - 12cm length (make a dart 1cm either side of this line, both sides taper to the point P to form a V

NQ - 10cm length

OR - 10cm length

G = Waistline Seam - Lift the waist 1.25cm at the side seam with a smooth curve that tapers at darts N and O

Curve the side seam slightly from I-S and L-S

You are now ready to cut out your personalised front and back skirt block!

What are Notions?

Sewing notions is an umbrella term used to describe the many small accessories used in sewing. This includes objects which are stitched onto a garment or other piece of sewing work. It is also applied to the small tools used to sew. Some of the most commonly used sewing notions are thread, fasteners such as zippers, buttons, and snaps, needles and pins, and seam rippers/quick unpicks.

Fasteners such as zippers, buttons, and snaps are another common variety of sewing notions. These notions are sewn onto projects requiring a closure that is not fixed. For instance, when constructing dresses, sewers often put in a zipper closure. This zipper can be opened, allowing the wearer to easily slip the dress on, and then closed to keep it in place