Beginning Sewing/Monkeys!

So, I have begin sewing in my beginning FCS classes in the last week. The best idea I ever found on in the internet that I stole and made my own is this:

I completely stole the idea from http://www.facsclassroomideas.com.

I place in a baggie 4 buttons, a needle on a piece of patch, a bobbin filled with thread, a small piece of white felt, a larger piece of white thread, a large piece of gray thread, an oval pattern and a pattern of a monkey.

I first have the students cut the oval pattern out of the paper. They then trace the pattern o the larger white piece of felt. Students then cut the oval out.  This is a simple, effective way to have students learn to use a pattern. they don't even know they are learning while they are doing it. Next I teach them how to sew buttons. The students will sew the four buttons onto the white oval however they wish using the buttons and the needle and thread I placed in their baggie.

Once they have completed the button sewing the students cut the monkey pattern out. I got this pattern from "The Cute Book: by Aranzi Aronzo. I found it not to be in my local Barnes and Noble and had to order it from Amazon. But have loved using it in both this class and my fashion design class. Once they have cut the pattern out, I have them choose 2 additional buttons from my large button collection and use those as eyes so they are using their skills immediately. they sew the monkey's face on and then sew the monkey together. I teach in 45 minute classes and this usually takes 6 days to get everyone to complete both the buttons and the monkeys. I love having the "stuff" in the baggie. Keeps everyones items together and the classroom clean at the end of the class.

Here is two of the completed monkeys:

The kids love this project and are excited and eager to complete the project- even during the end of the year slide.

Trash Bag Dresses

In my freshman level course I am required to teach some very basic sewing skills. To start this unit (which I save for nearly the end of the year due to testing) I have the students create trash bag dresses. To begin we watch an episode of Project Runway, to help the students understand what I am after. Fashion made from unusual materials.  

I provide black and white trash bags and clear packing tape. Any other materials, the students will be required to provide them for themselves. I used to only allow 4 trash bags- they could choose how many of each color, but only 4 total. Well, I still have trash bags I bought 6 years ago, so this year I allowed students to have as many as they would like. They still only used 6 at most.  Students work in groups of 3 or 4.  One of the group members is the model. The remaining group members create the dress on the student. I usually give students 3-4 days to work on their project. On Friday, we have a runway show. Depending on what’s happening in the school, I sometimes invite any teacher to bring down her class to watch the event or we keep it a small affair and only present in front of the class. There is music and pictures to help the event feel more “real.”

The kids always really enjoy this project. I enjoy seeing where the kids take it. Sometimes they really blow me away!