A Bit of Brainstorming
I'm pondering developing a new class in a pre-existing series, and have been trying to figure out what I should include. Then it hit me... Some of you here in this community might have some good ideas.
Some background...
I play in the SCA. In case you're not familiar, it's a historic recreation organization that covers a wide range of time periods and locales. As a result, members wear garb (historic clothing) from that same wide range of time periods and locales. While not nearly everyone makes their own clothes, a lot of people do. And many years ago, I noticed a bad trend.
Someone new will join the SCA. They'll go to a few events, and try on a variety of borrowed garb. At a certain point they'll think, "Oh yeah! This is the game for me!", and get all excited. They'll then focus on developing their persona (basically, who they might have been had they lived back then), and start working towards building their own garb wardrobe. They'll start researching and attempting to construct garb of some particular period, focusing on the details of how that cotehardie is fitted, or how they should embellish that hoopskirt. But at no time does anyone stop and realize... This person has never sewn before. As a result, this new person makes all sorts of mistakes that could have been avoided had they a bit of basic sewing knowledge.
So that's what motivated me to create a series of classes I group under the category of Pre-Costuming. The basic premise is to take a step back from "Historic Costuming", and just focus on learning some principles of sewing.
So far I have three classes:
* Understanding Fabric, which uses the handouts Understanding Fabric and Glossary of Fabric Terms.
* Understanding Patterns, which uses the handouts Understanding Patterns and Preparing to Sew. I also hope to someday get my act together to add a handout on Taking Measurements.
* Sewing Jargon and Technique, which uses the handouts Sewing Jargon and Technique and Survey of Notions and Equipment. I also hope to someday get my act together to add handouts on Pins and Needles, Thread, and Interfacing.
While obviously I make the above handouts available on my website, my real focus for these classes is teaching them in person, as that's where I have samples to pass around.
* For Understanding Fabric I have about 200 pieces of fabric that students can touch, to see the difference between evenweave and twill, grasp the difference in structure between weaves and knits, feel the difference between cotton and linen, etc.
* For Understanding Patterns I have about 40 patterns I pull out to show students what sorts of information you're likely to find and where, how to interpret that information, tricky areas to check for where the pattern might be flawed, how to compare/contrast two similar patterns, etc.
* For Sewing Jargon and Technique I have almost 100 samples of sewing techniques applied so the students can see different stitch types, see and feel the difference between a shankless button sewn flat and with thread shank, see the topology involved in turning curves and therefore why you need to clip and notch, etc.
I can't stress enough how much I think having 'see for yourself' or 'hands on' samples is key to people really learning the material. I can't count how many times I've seen the look on someone's face as they suddenly understand a concept or technique that they never understood when it was explained, but now that it's in their hands they suddenly get it.
Anyway... Sorry about that incredibly long winded introduction, and now onto the whole point of this post...
I think I'm finally ready to build the next class in the series, which I think should be "Basic Pattern Alteration", or maybe "Basic Pattern Alteration and Drafting". But I'm having a hard time taking the swirling thoughts in my head and pulling them into any sort of cohesive order.
I posted to my own LJ to see if any of the novice sewers on my Friends' List might have suggestions for things they'd like to learn. But then it also occurred to me that it might be a good idea to also check with more experienced sewers. So that's why I'm here. I'm hoping, can any of you share...
Suggestions for what sorts of pattern alterations I might want to include
* I'm definitely going to cover moving and removing darts.
* I'm going to include moving the seam on a sleeve, and maybe also splitting a one piece sleeve into a two piece.
* I'll cover how to adjust multiple-size patterns to match individual measurements.
* I'll cover how when increasing the circumference of a garment, you need to add equal amounts to all seamlines, and not just all it all in the center front and/or back.
Any other suggestions?
Suggestions for what sorts of simple pattern drafting tips I might want to include
If I do decide to include drafting...
* I'm definitely going to cover how neck openings should be offset from the shoulder seam (not centered front to back).
* I'm definitely going to cover how set-in sleeves need ease in the sleeve cap.
* I might cover gussets.
Any other suggestions?
Suggestions for ways in which I can present the material with at least a visual (if not also tactile) component
* I'm thinking of maybe making up sample pattern pieces that can be cut apart and reassembled in front of the class, so they can see the alteration process actually take place.
* Alternately, as the above would require making new originals each time I teach the class, I'm thinking of making multiple versions of the pattern pieces, showing each step.
Any other suggestions?
And of course, if you have any ideas/suggestions/comments/questions that don't fit any of the above, please do share anyway.
Many thanks in advance for any help any of you can give.
Some background...
I play in the SCA. In case you're not familiar, it's a historic recreation organization that covers a wide range of time periods and locales. As a result, members wear garb (historic clothing) from that same wide range of time periods and locales. While not nearly everyone makes their own clothes, a lot of people do. And many years ago, I noticed a bad trend.
Someone new will join the SCA. They'll go to a few events, and try on a variety of borrowed garb. At a certain point they'll think, "Oh yeah! This is the game for me!", and get all excited. They'll then focus on developing their persona (basically, who they might have been had they lived back then), and start working towards building their own garb wardrobe. They'll start researching and attempting to construct garb of some particular period, focusing on the details of how that cotehardie is fitted, or how they should embellish that hoopskirt. But at no time does anyone stop and realize... This person has never sewn before. As a result, this new person makes all sorts of mistakes that could have been avoided had they a bit of basic sewing knowledge.
So that's what motivated me to create a series of classes I group under the category of Pre-Costuming. The basic premise is to take a step back from "Historic Costuming", and just focus on learning some principles of sewing.
So far I have three classes:
* Understanding Fabric, which uses the handouts Understanding Fabric and Glossary of Fabric Terms.
* Understanding Patterns, which uses the handouts Understanding Patterns and Preparing to Sew. I also hope to someday get my act together to add a handout on Taking Measurements.
* Sewing Jargon and Technique, which uses the handouts Sewing Jargon and Technique and Survey of Notions and Equipment. I also hope to someday get my act together to add handouts on Pins and Needles, Thread, and Interfacing.
While obviously I make the above handouts available on my website, my real focus for these classes is teaching them in person, as that's where I have samples to pass around.
* For Understanding Fabric I have about 200 pieces of fabric that students can touch, to see the difference between evenweave and twill, grasp the difference in structure between weaves and knits, feel the difference between cotton and linen, etc.
* For Understanding Patterns I have about 40 patterns I pull out to show students what sorts of information you're likely to find and where, how to interpret that information, tricky areas to check for where the pattern might be flawed, how to compare/contrast two similar patterns, etc.
* For Sewing Jargon and Technique I have almost 100 samples of sewing techniques applied so the students can see different stitch types, see and feel the difference between a shankless button sewn flat and with thread shank, see the topology involved in turning curves and therefore why you need to clip and notch, etc.
I can't stress enough how much I think having 'see for yourself' or 'hands on' samples is key to people really learning the material. I can't count how many times I've seen the look on someone's face as they suddenly understand a concept or technique that they never understood when it was explained, but now that it's in their hands they suddenly get it.
Anyway... Sorry about that incredibly long winded introduction, and now onto the whole point of this post...
I think I'm finally ready to build the next class in the series, which I think should be "Basic Pattern Alteration", or maybe "Basic Pattern Alteration and Drafting". But I'm having a hard time taking the swirling thoughts in my head and pulling them into any sort of cohesive order.
I posted to my own LJ to see if any of the novice sewers on my Friends' List might have suggestions for things they'd like to learn. But then it also occurred to me that it might be a good idea to also check with more experienced sewers. So that's why I'm here. I'm hoping, can any of you share...
Suggestions for what sorts of pattern alterations I might want to include
* I'm definitely going to cover moving and removing darts.
* I'm going to include moving the seam on a sleeve, and maybe also splitting a one piece sleeve into a two piece.
* I'll cover how to adjust multiple-size patterns to match individual measurements.
* I'll cover how when increasing the circumference of a garment, you need to add equal amounts to all seamlines, and not just all it all in the center front and/or back.
Any other suggestions?
Suggestions for what sorts of simple pattern drafting tips I might want to include
If I do decide to include drafting...
* I'm definitely going to cover how neck openings should be offset from the shoulder seam (not centered front to back).
* I'm definitely going to cover how set-in sleeves need ease in the sleeve cap.
* I might cover gussets.
Any other suggestions?
Suggestions for ways in which I can present the material with at least a visual (if not also tactile) component
* I'm thinking of maybe making up sample pattern pieces that can be cut apart and reassembled in front of the class, so they can see the alteration process actually take place.
* Alternately, as the above would require making new originals each time I teach the class, I'm thinking of making multiple versions of the pattern pieces, showing each step.
Any other suggestions?
And of course, if you have any ideas/suggestions/comments/questions that don't fit any of the above, please do share anyway.
Many thanks in advance for any help any of you can give.